What is this Lever on my fireplace?

[millertime150]

When I moved in my home my fireplace was a wood burning fireplace that had a gas line to get the wood burning. I had it replaced with a vented gas log. I know that there is a lever on the top to open up the hole (damper I think it is called). There is a lever on the right that seems to be able to push down or push horizontal. I tried to push it up with a little pressure but it didn't seem to go that way and I didn't want to force it.

Does anyone know what the lever is and is t functional?


Which way should I push it?

Also there are little vents on the bottom of my fireplace that seem to let a cold daft into my home. Anyway to stop that?

Sorry about the cobbwebs.

 

[funkyb]

Does the lever appear to open/close any door on the vents at the bottom? Mine has a knob (but in a different location) that opens the front-bottom vent which I presume is to let fresh oxygen in while the wood is burning. Could this be similar?

 

[mmack66]

It probably controls the vents on the bottom of the fireplace. Looks like you have gas logs so venting probably isn't much of a concern. Do the doors have glass in them?

 

[DSB]

It probably controls the vents on the bottom of the fireplace. Looks like you have gas logs so venting probably isn't much of a concern. Do the doors have glass in them?

When you pull on it, does the fireplace flip around to reveal a hidden room behind?

I'm also guessing it controls (or controlled) the venting.

 

[millertime150]

It probably controls the vents on the bottom of the fireplace. Looks like you have gas logs so venting probably isn't much of a concern. Do the doors have glass in them?

I don't have any glass doors. I had a feeling it was for to vent. It makes a sound when I push it but I don'd feel much change in the air flow when I feel the vents. It seems like it still blows some air.

With a vented gas log, would you keep the vent open or closed?

When you pull on it, does the fireplace flip around to reveal a hidden room behind?

I'm also guessing it controls (or controlled) the venting.

I wish I had a hidden room. Maybe when I hit the lottery

 

[_JP_]

I'm assuming that your house is fairly modern with good weather sealing. Because of that it is vital for those vents to be open to allow the fireplace to draft properly and also so that you don't have a problem with CO poisoning. Be glad they work! And keep them clear of debris.

That lever of the side has got to be for the operation of a damper for those vents. It may take a lot of force to move it up and down if it has not been operated in a long time. If you can't get it to move at all then it would be a good idea to disassemble it so that you can free it up. It would even be worth paying somebody to do it because in the long run that constant draft will increase your heating bill.

 

[mmack66]

Does the fireplace have any doors at all, or is it just wire mesh?

 

[texquill]

I'm assuming that your house is fairly modern with good weather sealing. Because of that it is vital for those vents to be open to allow the fireplace to draft properly and also so that you don't have a problem with CO poisoning. Be glad they work! And keep them clear of debris.

+1
This is EXCELLENT advice - pay attention!

 

[millertime150]

Does the fireplace have any doors at all, or is it just wire mesh?

Just Mesh