We have upgraded our fireplaces so that they are more energy-efficient whether or not they're in use. A fireplace can be one of the biggest energy wasters in your home. If not properly outfitted it can draw precious heat out of the home and discard it uselessly into the atmosphere. And, it doesn't have to be that way.

For example, it is known by most that the fireplace damper must be in the full open position in order to start a fire. But, did you know that once the fire has started the damper should be closed down as far as possible without causing smoke to back up into the room? This practice enables the chimney to exhaust all the smoke that is created by the fire, but not the heat. With the damper wide open, both smoke and heat are exhausted at about the same rate. Closing down the damper allows smoke to exhaust and retains more heat.

Keep in mind that a fireplace exhausts smoke in somewhat of a siphon action. Once heat begins to rise through the stack, the siphon that is created continues to draw air from within the house, and so on. Isn't it interesting that a fire-burning device can actually remove warm air from the home? To offset the problem you can install glass doors and add outside air ducts to the inside of the firebox.

Glass doors act as dampers when the fireplace is not being used and reduce the amount of warm air that is drawn out of the home and into the fireplace when a fire has been lighted. Outside air ducts (also known as combustion air ducts) are required in the construction of all new fireplaces and can be retrofitted into existing ones. Fires burn oxygen, and in a tightly sealed home a fireplace will drain its oxygen in no time. Combustion air ducts provide the air from the exterior of the home, leaving oxygen for you to breathe. If the fireplace draws air from ducts, it won't need to draw warm air from within the home.

A note about fireplaces drawing air out of tightly sealed homes: As a fire reduces the air in a home through combustion, the air pressure in the home also is reduced. Finally, when the air pressure in the home is less inside than it is outside, the siphon action of the chimney slows (or stops) and the home quickly fills with smoke. This problem can occur to varying degrees, but is usually for the same reason. Outside air ducts can eliminate this condition.

Finally, the chimney top: Most folks know that sparks from chimneys can cause fires, and are aware of spark arresters and their value as safety devices. But now there is a new product that acts as the spark arrester and damper as well. In its capacity as a damper it restricts the flow of air into the chimney helping the damper at the fire box and the glass doors at the hearth to prevent cold air from getting in or out of the home.

Here is a trick that will help to keep glass fireplace doors clean and neat year round. Once the doors have cooled, spray them with glass or window cleaner or your own mixture of vinegar and water. Then spray a clean soft cloth until a wet spot is created. Dip the wet spot into the fine gray ash left by your last fire and rub the ash onto the dirty surface. It will clean easier than ever before.