Expert: James Ball - 2/18/2009

Question
I recently bought a home and belive that my fireplace can be used for either gas or real logs( at least that is what I have been told. In the back of the chimney there is a metal plate that is open to the outside. It contains slits and is about 5 inches long. I can see the outside from this. We have not started a fire, but I am losing heat out of this gap and it is costing me money. What can I put there to close the metal piece without ruining the chimney?

Answer
Hello Angie, it sounds like a air intake vent and it should slide open and closed. open to allow fresh air to feed the fire, closed when not in use. You could have a local Certified Chimney Sweep (www.csia.org, there you can look up by zip code to find one near you) take a first hand look at what you have they should be able to tell you for sure.
James