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Your chimney comes with dampers, which are similar to air vents. Dampers are metal plates that allow hot air and smoke to flow from the fireplace up your chimney and out of your home. When you close the damper, it prevents cool air from getting into your home. This is why you’ll want to check to make sure your damper is open before starting your fireplace and you want to ensure it’s closed after the fire goes out. You can open and close them via an external knob, pull chain, or lever. 

The time required for a chimney inspection depends on the inspection level. A Level 1 inspection typically takes between 45 minutes and two hours, with an average of about an hour and a half. A Level 2 inspection usually takes less than two hours. A more in-depth Level 3 inspection can take up to five hours, or even multiple days if it requires removing materials. The total duration also depends on the chimney's size, condition, and how long it has been since its last inspection; chimneys with severe damage will require a longer inspection.

A chimney cap costs about $300 on average to install, with prices ranging from $75 to $1,000. The final cost depends on several factors, including the professional you hire, the accessibility of your chimney, the cap's material and size, whether any repairs are needed, and if it requires custom fabrication. Chimney caps are usually made from galvanized steel, stainless steel, or copper. Copper caps are the most expensive, followed by stainless steel and then galvanized steel. Excluding labor, average material costs are around $100 for galvanized steel, $250 for stainless steel, and $600 for copper. You may also face additional costs, such as hiring a chimney sweep to clean the chimney before the cap is installed.

Yes, you can put a freestanding one in a corner if you’re tight on space. Because pellet stoves don’t get as hot as other types of wood stoves, there only needs to be 3 inches of clearance from the wall on each side. Placing it in a corner should not impact the ventilation—you’ll still need to follow safety precautions by not installing too close to a window. Typically, it’s 4 feet from a window or 18 inches if the stove uses an external air source for combustion. Always check the owner’s manual for specific instructions.