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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. 

Pellet stoves are used as heat sources for homes. They work by burning biomass pallets, which might be composed of wood, sawdust, or food waste. The pellets are stored in the stove's hopper until the stove is ignited, at which point some are released into the stove's firebox to burn for heat. Unlike most fireplaces, pellet stoves have a thermostat that adjusts the temperature by releasing more or fewer pellets, depending on how warm you want to make your living space.

If you’re looking for a cost-effective alternative to a traditional chimney, consider having a dummy chimney installed. Dummy chimneys can either be aesthetic-only or fully functional and can be installed on both new and older homes. Whether installed to match your neighborhood’s aesthetic or to vent your chimney, dummy chimneys are made out of a Glass-Reinforced Plastic (GRP) core, then covered with brick or stone slips to look like a traditional chimney.

Common issues discovered during a chimney inspection or cleaning include creosote buildup, cracked liners, structural degeneration or masonry degradation, and obstructions such as blocked flues or animal nests. These issues are potential safety hazards that can lead to combustion problems or poor air quality if not addressed.