While doing some crack-filling where the brick meets the metal, I
inspected the interior of the cavity where hot air circulates around the
firebox and is then blown out into the room through the vents. At the
upper rear of this cavity, on both sides, there is a vent hole about
4"-6" in diameter. They are apparently open to the interior of the
chimney, between the stovepipe and the brick. Looks like most of the
hot air is going to waste. I expect the upper end of the the brick
chimney is nice and toasty.
Is this normal?
Would it be dangerous to close these off?

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Rex Burkheimer
Fort Worth TX