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Your pilot light needs to be on whenever you’re using your furnace to heat your home. However, you might decide to turn it off during the summer months, when you don’t need heating. Doing this can save you a little bit of money on utility costs—just make sure you’re fine with relighting your pilot light (or hiring a professional to do it) when fall comes around and you’re ready to get cozy.

No, you should never leave a fireplace burning overnight or unattended during the day. While fireplaces are made to contain fires, fires can and do spread from fireplaces, so it’s crucial that you’re there to monitor them and put them out if needed. If you’re worried about putting out a fire before bed, stop feeding it fuel long before bedtime and actively put out the fire using your poker, a shovel, and some baking soda.

The damper, located just above the firebox, can open or close the chimney flue. The damper should remain closed unless there’s a fire burning in the fireplace. Closing the damper prevents energy loss through the chimney and cold air from seeping into the home during the winter. Opening the damper helps maintain airflow when there is a fire and prevents smoke and gases from venting into the house.

Chimney caps are necessary both from a building safety standpoint in most municipalities and to keep your home protected from a variety of issues. Chimney caps are not only mandated by building code in most areas, but they also serve to keep squirrels, raccoons, and other pests out of your home, as well as snow and rain. Therefore, they help to avoid property damage, making them a worthwhile investment.