Maintaining a Wood Burning Fireplace
Nothing warms a house like the sound of a wood-burning fireplace. It is essential to keep your fireplace in good condition to prevent the build-up of dangerous creosote.
A damper is an important part of maintaining a good combustion. The type of firewood used can be a factor and hardwoods like oak and ash producing less creosote than softwoods.
Energy Efficiency
Wood fireplaces can be a stunning design, generating a warm and cozy environment. However, they aren't efficient in energy use and can result in polluting air if they are not properly maintained. The condition and the quality of your firebox, chimney system, and installation may be a major factor in the efficiency of your entire system.
The main fuel used in a traditional wood-burning stove is firewood, which can be purchased in a face or full cord (measured at 4'x8'x8'). Before burning firewood, it needs to be "seasoned", to reduce the amount of water and increase its energy density. If the wood is wet it will not burn as efficiently and will produce a lot of creosote. Seasoning wood generally takes from months to a year or more, depending on the climate and weather conditions.
A wood burning fireplace requires a substantial investment in both money and time to maintain it properly. In addition, to purchasing an enormous amount of firewood, owners must regularly inspect and clean their fireplace. This is to ensure that the chimney is clear of obstructions, that it is operating well, and that there is there isn't any combustible materials near the unit. Regular inspections and cleanings will lower the chance of fireplace and room fires.
The smoke that comes from a wood-burning fire place has fine particles that could cause lung damage and serious health issues including heart attacks, cardiovascular disease and lung disease. It also releases carbon monoxide as well as other harmful air pollutants like volatile organic compounds nitrogen oxides, benzene, and formaldehyde. Wood smoke is a contributor to the destruction of ozone and greenhouse gases, which can affect the earth's climate.
Efficiency EPA certified wood stoves employ the second combustion method to minimize harmful emissions during the firing. These stoves also require a suitable size chimney and the installation of flue liner to maximize performance. It is also important to purchase seasoned firewood, and resist the temptation to add accelerants such as gasoline, lighter fluid or butane torch to the fire, as they can add fuel to the fire and create a dangerous situation. To prevent termite invasion, homeowners should also store their firewood away from the home.
Cleanliness
Wood-burning fireplaces provide a comfortable alternative to other types of heating. They also create a warm and inviting atmosphere that can create a soothing atmosphere. They can be used for primary or as supplemental heat and can be eligible for tax credits. However they can be messy and require regular cleaning to prevent soot and creosote buildup. A dirty fireplace can produce unpleasant odors and toxins and can affect the quality of air within the home.
The most important thing to remember when using a wood fireplace is to use dry firewood. Utilizing kiln dried firewood will aid in reducing creosote and buildup. Kiln dried firewood is treated in a heated oven or kiln to remove all moisture content. It is recommended to only burn clean, seasoned (burned) wood that has been sliced and stored for a few months prior to using.
Before starting a fire, sweep up ash from the floor and around the grate and smoke shelf. Make sure the ashes are completely cool before scooping them into a metal waste bin to dispose of. Using a dust pan or whisk broom as well as sweeping and dumping any other stray debris that has accumulated outside the fireplace.
When cleaning a fireplace, make sure to wear gloves and an apron to shield yourself from the dirt and soot that is produced. To safeguard very small wood burning stove from stains, clear the area and cover it with drop cloths. Wear a dust mask to ensure that you don't breathe in particles of soot or ash.
Fill a large bucket up with warm water. Add 3.8 tablespoons of trisodium phosphate (TSP), 1 cup of bleach and 2 tablespoons of household ammonia. Mix well, then dip a nylon toothbrush into the solution and scrub the walls and areas of your fireplace. After scrubbing the walls as well as surrounding areas of your fireplace, wipe it off with an aqueous, damp cloth.
Repeat the scrubbing, wiping and cleaning process until all visible deposits have been removed from your fireplace. When you are satisfied with the cleanness of your fireplace, wipe off any glass doors with a glass cleaner that is safe for wood burning stoves.
Aesthetics
Wood fireplaces are beautiful and aren't able to be compared with modern propane or gas fireplaces. Their rustic look, crackling sounds of a burning flame and their warm feel provide a warm and inviting atmosphere that has stood the test of time. This is one feature that many people look for when looking for fireplaces.
While wood-burning fireplaces are great for heating, they also emit harmful gases into your home. They release carbon monoxide and smoke that could harm your lungs. While the fireplaces are usually well-ventilated, it is important to have an effective system in place that can help get rid of these harmful substances. This is why many people prefer a zero clearance wood burning fireplace which helps to lower the amount of harmful gases in your home.
There are a variety of ways to make your fireplace look more appealing and unique. You can paint it to be in line with the style of your living room or use reclaimed wooden to give it an even more rustic appearance. You can also build an uphill stone staircase that is connected to the fireplace. This will create an attractive and functional feature in your home.
You can also alter your chimney's color. Black is a popular choice because it looks great and goes with the majority of homes. You can also paint your fireplace white to let the space breathe and create a fresh airy feel. Gray is another option that works well with many different styles and is a modern trend. Some homeowners mix beige and grey together, which is also known as greige to celebrate this aesthetic and flexibility.
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
If they are not maintained and operated correctly Wood burning fireplaces that are not properly maintained and operated can pose serious dangers to safety. They emit fine particle pollution that can get into the lungs and trigger lung diseases. They also release harmful air pollutants such as carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds. Wood smoke is a major contributor to climate change by release of carbon dioxide and methane.
The flue in a wood stove must be cleaned and inspected regularly to ensure that it's working properly. A clean, efficient flue helps stop dangerous carbon monoxide leaks and chimney fires.
If the flue liner is degrading it is recommended to replace it or repaired right away. Keep flammable materials like curtains, drapes and other objects that ignite, away from the wood stove. Cross-ventilation is a great way to move warm air around the home so that it doesn't return up the chimney.
Ashes should be swept out of the fireplace frequently to avoid them accumulating too deep and blocking the air flow. Too much ash will reduce the oxygen supply for logs, which can reduce the efficiency of combustion and resulting in more smoke. The ashes can be stored in a container made of metal or another noncombustible container.
Keep children away from the area around the fireplace, especially in the case of glass front. Children can be burned by touching the hot surfaces during and after an fire. Additionally, the numerous different tools employed to maintain a fireplace like pokers, log lifers, and shovels, are hazardous for children to handle. To ensure that children do not accidentally contacting the fireplace, a "safety area" of three feet be constructed around the fireplace.
Installing an alarm for carbon monoxide and detector in the house is a good idea too particularly if you own a wood stove. Carbon monoxide is a hazard when the chimney and wood stove aren't operating properly, and is a poison to breathe.
It is also crucial to verify the state, local and tribal regulations for wood-burning fireplaces. These rules could include odor or nuisance rules, "no-burn" days and visible emission limits or opacity limits for smoke from homeowners' chimneys. These laws are typically designed to reduce air pollution and safeguard public health.