Maintaining a Wood Burning Fireplace
The sound of a fireplace with wood is a wonderful way to warm your home. It is essential to keep your fireplace in good condition to avoid dangerous creosote buildup.
A damper is an essential element in maintaining a high quality combustion. Hardwoods like oak and ash produce less creosote.
Energy Efficiency
Wood fireplaces are a stunning amenity that creates a cozy atmosphere and also provides warmth. They are not energy-efficient and can cause harmful air pollution if not maintained in a timely manner. The kind of wood used, the quality and condition of the firebox, the chimney and installation may significantly affect the overall effectiveness of the unit.
wood stove burning is the main fuel source for wood-burning stoves. It is typically bought in face cords or full cords (measured as 4'x8"x8") Before using firewood, it needs to be "seasoned", to reduce the amount of water and increase its energy density. If the wood is wet, it won't burn efficiently and will create a lot creosote. Seasoning wood generally takes from months to a year or more, depending on the weather and climate conditions.
A fireplace that burns wood requires a significant investment both in time and money to maintain it properly. In addition, to purchasing a large amount of firewood, owners should regularly inspect and clean their fireplace. This is to ensure that the chimney is free of obstructions, that it is operating well, and that there is there isn't any combustible materials close to the fireplace. Regular cleanings and inspections will help reduce the risk for fireplace and room fires.
Smoke from a wood-burning stove contains fine particle pollution, which can damage the lungs and lead to serious health problems including lung disease, cardiovascular disease and heart attacks. It also releases carbon monoxide as well as other toxic air pollutants, such as volatile organic compounds such as nitrogen oxides, benzene, and formaldehyde. Wood smoke may contribute to the atmospheric depletion ozone, greenhouse gases and other pollutants that can alter the climate of the earth.
Efficient EPA certified wood stoves employ a second combustion process to reduce harmful emissions during firing. To maximize performance, these stoves require the proper size chimney as well as installation of a flue lined. It is important to use seasoned wood and to avoid adding accelerants to the flame such as gasoline, lighter liquid or butane torch. This can overload the fire, causing a dangerous situation. In addition, homeowners should store their firewood away from the house to avoid termite infestation.
Cleanliness
Wood-burning fireplaces provide a comfortable alternative to other forms of heating and offer ambiance that can create a tranquil ambience. They can be used as primary or supplemental heat and can be eligible for tax credits. However, they can be messy and require regular cleaning to avoid soot and creosote buildup. A dirty fireplace can produce unpleasant odors and toxins, and can negatively affect air quality in the home.
When burning wood in a fireplace, it is crucial to use only dry firewood. Using kiln dried firewood will aid in reducing creosote and buildup. Kiln dried firewood is processed in a heated oven or kiln, to eliminate all of its moisture content. It is recommended to only burn clean well-seasoned (burned) wood that has been sliced and placed in a stack for a couple of months prior to use.
Before lighting a fire, sweep up ash from the floor and around the smoke shelf and grate. Make sure you wait until the ashes are cool completely before dumping them in an aluminum bin. Make use of a brush or a broom to sweep and dispose of any other debris that may have accumulated outside the flame.
Wear gloves and an apron while cleaning a fireplace to shield yourself from dirt, soot and dust that are created. To safeguard your furniture from stains, you should clean the area thoroughly and cover it with drop cloths. It is also recommended to wear a dust mask in order to prevent inhaling any ash or soot particles.
Start by filling an enormous 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 to scrub the walls of your fireplace and the surrounding areas. After scrubbing the walls as well as surrounding areas of your fireplace, clean it off with an aqueous, damp cloth.
Repeat the scrubbing, wiping and cleaning process until all visible deposits have been removed from your fireplace. Once you're satisfied with your cleanness then employ the glass cleaner that's safe for wood-burning stoves to clean any glass doors.
Aesthetics
Wood fireplaces have a beauty that modern propane or gas fire places can't match. The rustic look of fireplaces made of wood and the sound of a fire burning and the warm feeling they create have stood the test of time. Many people look for this feature when purchasing a fireplace.
While wood-burning fireplaces are great for heat but they also release harmful gases into your home. Carbon monoxide, smoke and other gases can harm your lungs. While fireplaces are typically well-ventilated, it is important to have an effective system in place to aid in eliminating these toxins. This is the reason why many prefer using a zero clearance wood burning fireplace, as it helps reduce the amount of harmful gases in your home.
There are many ways to make your fireplace look more appealing and distinctive. You can paint it to fit the decor of your living room or use reclaimed wood to give it a more rustic appearance. You can also install an edifice of stone that leads to the fireplace, which is a fun and functional feature in your home.
You can also alter the color of your chimney. The most popular option is black, which looks beautiful and complements the majority of homes. Another option is to paint your fireplace white which opens up the space and creates bright and airy space. Gray is a popular color that can be paired with a variety of styles and is currently trending. Some homeowners even mix gray and beige called 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
If they are not maintained and operated in a safe manner, wood burning fireplaces can pose serious safety risks. They release smoke, which is a fine particle of pollutants that can be absorbed into the lungs and cause lung ailments and other health issues. They also release harmful air pollutants like carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds. Wood smoke also contributes to climate change through the release of methane and carbon dioxide.
The flue of a wood stove should be regularly cleaned and inspected to ensure that it functions correctly. A clean, efficient flue can help keep carbon monoxide leaks from becoming dangerous and chimney fires.
If the flue liner is deteriorating the flue liner should be replaced or repaired right away. Be sure to keep flammable objects like drapes, curtains and other items that are flammable away from the wood stove. Cross-ventilation is an excellent method to circulate warm air around the house so that it doesn't return up the chimney.
Make sure to regularly clean out the ashes to avoid them blocking the airflow and building up too much. As much ash can limit the flow of oxygen to the logs and decrease the efficiency of combustion, which results in more smoke. The ashes should be stored in a metal bucket or any other non-combustible container.
Make sure that children are not in the area around the fireplace, especially if there is glass on the front. If they touch hot surfaces both during and after the fire, they can get burned. The many tools employed to maintain fireplaces, including shovels, pokers, log lifers and brushes can be hazardous for children to handle. A three-foot "safety zone" is recommended around the fireplace to prevent children from coming into contact with it.
Installing a carbon monoxide alarm as well as detector in your home is a good idea too especially if you have wood stove. Carbon monoxide is a hazard when the chimney and wood stove aren't working properly, and is poisonous to breathe.
It is also important to verify the local, state, and tribal regulations on wood-burning fireplaces. These regulations might include rules regarding odors and nuisances, "no-burn" days and visible emission limits or opacity limits for smoke from homeowners' chimneys. These laws are typically focused on reducing air pollution and are put in place to protect public health.