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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. 

No, a chimney crown is not the same as a chimney cap. A chimney crown is a flat cement area on top of a masonry chimney. It starts where the masonry part of the chimney ends at the very top and domes upward toward the flue opening. A chimney cap sits on top of the crown over the flue. It is usually made of metal and allows smoke to escape without letting in rainwater.

You don’t need electricity for a wood-burning stove unless it has a blower fan. Some wood-burning stoves include blower fans to help with heat distribution, but blower fans have a motor and use electricity to power the fan. You can still operate a wood stove without using the blower fan, so it’s a good source of heat if you have a power outage or are looking to lower your electric bill during winter.

Homeowners insurance may cover chimney leaks, repairs, or replacement, but coverage depends on the cause of the damage. If the chimney is damaged by a sudden, covered peril like a lightning strike, storm, hail, fallen tree, or an unexpected fire, your policy is likely to cover the costs. However, insurance generally does not cover damage resulting from normal wear and tear, old age, or a lack of proper maintenance, such as failing to perform regular cleanings and inspections. If a fire or other damage is caused by a known issue you didn't address, the claim may be denied. Additionally, some policies may have specific exclusions for events like high winds or earthquakes.