What is the draft?

A chimney draft is movement of air up through the chimney. This movement of air is affected by the existing air elements in the flue of the chimney and the air pressure within the house. The draft of the chimney is important as emissions from a fire need to go up and out of the house as opposed to staying in the flue or back drafting into the house.

For a fireplace draft to work appropriately there must be adequate ventilation in the house. If houses are air tight then the tendency for back drafts of smoke are greater. This effect can also happen in a home that has no proper insulation. It is best to have an open window near the fireplace if possible, creating enough free flow air movement in the house to aid the fire and not interfere with the flow of air up through the chimney.