Maintaining a Wood Burning Fireplace Nothing is more welcoming than the sound of a fireplace that is wood-burning. If you have one, it's vital to maintain it regularly to avoid dangerous creosote build-ups. A damper is an important component of maintaining a healthy combustion. Hardwoods such as oak and ash create less creosote. Energy Efficiency Wood fireplaces can be an attractive amenity, creating warm and inviting environment. However, they aren't energy efficient and can create harmful air pollution if they aren't properly maintained. The quality and condition of your firebox, chimney system, and installation can significantly affect the overall efficiency. The primary fuel source for a wood-burning stove. It is typically bought in face cords or full cords (measured as 4'x8"x8") The wood must be "seasoned" to lower the water content and increase the energy density prior to use. If the wood is damp it will not burn as efficiently and will create a lot creosote. The process of preparing wood for seasoning can take months or even a full year dependent on the weather and the conditions of the climate. A fireplace that burns wood requires a substantial investment in terms of both money and time to maintain it properly. In addition to buying large quantities of firewood, owners should regularly check and clean their fireplace. This is to ensure that the chimney is clear of obstructions, operates properly, and that there is no combustible material close to the fireplace. Regular cleaning and inspections can reduce the risk of chimney fires as well as room fires. The smoke that comes from a wood-burning fire place contains fine particles that can cause lung damage and serious health issues, including heart attacks, cardiovascular disease and lung disease. It also releases airborne toxic pollutants like nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, benzene, and formaldehyde. Wood smoke is a contributor to the atmospheric depletion ozone, greenhouse gases and other pollutants that could alter the climate of the earth. Efficiency EPA certified wood stoves use a second combustion process to reduce harmful emissions during the firing. These stoves also require a proper size chimney as well as an air flue liner in order to maximize performance. It is important to use well-seasoned wood and to avoid adding accelerants to the fire such as lighter liquid, gasoline or butane torch. This can cause overheated fire, creating a risky situation. In addition homeowners should store their firewood outside of the home to prevent termite infestation. Cleanliness Wood-burning fireplaces offer a cozy alternative to other types of heating. They also create a warm and inviting atmosphere that creates a relaxing atmosphere. They can be used as primary or supplementary heat sources and may qualify for tax credits. However they can be messy and require regular cleaning to avoid soot and creosote buildup. A fireplace that is dirty can cause unpleasant odors, toxins and can affect the quality of air in the home. The most important thing to remember when burning a wood fireplace is to always use dry firewood. Using kiln dried firewood will help reduce creosote and soot buildup. Kiln dried firewood is treated in a heated oven, or kiln, to eliminate all of its moisture content. It is best to only burn clean well-seasoned wood that has been split into pieces and then stacked for several months prior to use. Before lighting a fire, sweep up ash from the floor of the fireplace and around the smoke shelf and grate. Be sure to wait until the ashes have cool completely before throwing them into a metal bin. With a dust pan or whisk broom as well as sweeping and dumping any other debris that has accumulated outside the fireplace. Wear gloves and an apron when cleaning a fireplace in order to protect yourself from the dust, soot, and dirt that are created. You should clear a working space and cover any adjacent furniture with drop cloths to guard against staining. You should also wear a mask to keep from breathing in any soot or ash particles. Begin by filling a large bucket with one gallon of warm water. Add 3.8 tablespoons of trisodiumphosphate (TSP) 1 cup of bleach and 2 tablespoons of household ammonia. Mix the solution well, and then use a nylon brush scrub the walls of your fireplace and the surrounding areas. After scrubbing, use clean, damp cloth to clean and wash the cleaning solution off. Repeat the scrubbing, rinse and wiping until all visible stains are removed from your fireplace. Once you're satisfied with the cleanliness you can use the glass cleaner that's safe for wood-burning stoves for cleaning any glass doors. Aesthetics Fireplaces made of wood are stunning and aren't able to be compared with modern propane or gas fireplaces. Their rustic look, crackling sound of a roaring fire and their cozy feel create an atmosphere that has long stood the test of time. Many people seek this feature when purchasing a fireplace. Wood-burning fireplaces are great to heat your home however, they also release harmful gasses. They release carbon monoxide and smoke that can cause lung damage. While the fireplaces are usually well-ventilated, it is important to have an effective system in place that can aid in eliminating these toxins. This is the reason why many prefer using a zero clearance wood burning fireplace design, as it helps reduce the amount of harmful gases in your home. There are many ways to design your wood fireplace to create a unique visually appealing. You can paint it to fit the style of your living room or use reclaimed wooden to give it a more rustic look. You can also include an uphill stone staircase to your fireplace. This will make an interesting and enjoyable feature in your home. You can also change the color of your chimney. fireplacesandstove.com is a popular choice as it looks stunning and is compatible with a lot of homes. You can also paint your fireplace white to let the space breathe and create a fresh airy feel. Gray is a popular choice that is compatible with a variety of styles and is currently trending. Some homeowners even mix gray and beige together and call it greige to celebrate this flexibility and aesthetic. The best way to make a fireplace look less old fashioned or obtrusive is to paint it to match the walls around it. This can be done in a deep neutral that is on-trend, like grey, or a warm and earthy tone such as brick or terracotta red. The idea is to create a unified space that does not draw attention to itself, but rather blends in with the rest of the room. If you are unsure about which colour to go for, you can always ask a professional for advice. Safety Wood burning fireplaces can cause serious safety concerns if they're not properly maintained and operated. They release smoke, which contains fine particle pollution that can get into the lungs to cause lung diseases and other health problems. They also release dangerous air pollutants such as carbon monoxide volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, and benzene. Wood smoke also contributes to climate change through the release of methane and carbon dioxide. The flue in a wood stove must be regularly inspected and cleaned to ensure that it's working as it should. A clean and functioning chimney flue will help to prevent dangerous carbon monoxide leaking and chimney fires. If the flue liner is deteriorating it is recommended to replace it or repaired as soon as possible. Keep flammable items like curtains, drapes and other objects that ignite away from the wood stove. It is a good idea to set up cross-ventilation which allows warm air through the home so that it doesn't rush back up the chimney. Regularly sweep out the ashes to prevent them from blocking airflow and becoming too large in size. A lot of ash can impede the oxygen supply to logs and reduce the efficiency of combustion, which causes more smoke. The ashes must be kept in a bucket made of steel or another non-combustible container. Keep children away from the area around the fireplace, especially in the case of glass on the front. If they touch hot surfaces both during and after the fire, they may get burned. Additionally, the numerous different tools used to maintain a fireplace like log lifers, pokers and shovels, can be dangerous for kids to handle. A three-foot "safety zone" is recommended around the fireplace to avoid children from coming into contact with it. It is also a good idea to install a carbon monoxide detector and alarm in the home, especially in the case of wood stove. Carbon monoxide can build up when the chimney and wood stove are not functioning correctly, and it is a poison to breathe. It is also important to check the state, local, and tribal regulations regarding wood burning fireplaces. These rules could include rules regarding odors and nuisances, "no-burn" days and visible emissions/opacity limits for smoke coming from chimneys of homeowners. These laws are typically aimed at reducing pollution in the air and are in place to protect public health.
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