Maintaining a Wood Burning Fireplace
The sound of a wood-burning fireplace is a great way to warm your home. If you have one, it's essential to keep it maintained regularly to avoid dangerous creosote build-ups.
Airflow can be controlled using dampers and is a vital part of maintaining efficient combustion. The type of firewood used may make a difference in the way that hardwoods such as oak and ash producing less creosote than softwoods.
Energy Efficiency
Wood fireplaces are a stunning feature that creates a warm ambiance and provides heat. They are not energy-efficient and can contribute to pollutant emissions if not maintained in a timely manner. The condition and quality of your chimney system, and installation may significantly affect the efficiency of your entire system.
The main fuel used in a traditional wood burning stove is firewood, which is usually bought in a face cord or full cord (measured at 4'x8'x8'). Before burning firewood, it should be "seasoned" to reduce the amount of water and increase its energy density. If the wood is not sufficiently moist it will not be able to burn as efficiently and could cause many creosote. Seasoning wood can last for months or even a full year depending on the weather and the conditions of the climate.
A fireplace with wood-burning capability requires a significant investment in both money and time to maintain it properly. Apart from purchasing a large quantity of firewood, homeowners need to regularly clean and inspect their fireplaces to ensure that the chimney is free from obstructions and that it's working properly, and that combustible materials are not stored in close proximity to the fireplace. fireplacesandstove.com and cleanings will lower the chance of fireplace and room fires.
Smoke from wood-burning stoves has fine particles, which can harm the lungs and lead to serious health issues like lung disease, cardiovascular disease and heart attacks. It also releases toxic air pollutants like nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, benzene, and formaldehyde. Wood smoke contributes to the atmospheric reductions in ozone and greenhouse gases, which can harm the climate of the earth.
Effective EPA certified wood stoves utilize the second combustion method to reduce harmful emissions during firing. To maximize performance, these stoves require a properly sized chimney as well as the installation of a flue liner. It is crucial to use seasoned wood and to avoid adding accelerants to the fire such as gasoline, lighter liquid or butane torch. This can cause overheated fire, creating a risky situation. To prevent termite invasion, homeowners should also store their firewood away from their homes.
Cleanliness
Wood-burning fireplaces offer a cozy alternative to other types of heating and offer ambiance that can create a tranquil ambience. They can be used as primary or supplemental heating and may qualify you for tax credits. They can be messy, and require regular cleaning to avoid soot and creosote buildup. A dirty fireplace can create unpleasant odors, toxins and can negatively affect air quality inside the home.
The most important thing to keep in mind when you are burning a fireplace made of wood is to always make use of dry firewood. Kiln dried firewood can help reduce creosote buildup and soot. 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 stacked for a few months prior to using.
Before lighting a fire, remove ash from the floor and around the smoke shelf and grate. Be sure to wait until the ashes have cool completely before dumping them in an aluminum bin. Using an empty pan or a whisk broom Also, sweep and dispose of any other debris that has accumulated outside the fireplace.
When cleaning a fireplace, be sure to wear gloves and an apron to protect yourself from the dirt and soot generated. It is recommended to clear the working space and cover any adjacent furniture with drop cloths to guard against staining. You should also wear a mask to prevent inhaling any soot or ash particles.
Fill a large bucket up with warm water. Add 3.8 teaspoons of trisodium (TSP), one cup of bleach and two tablespoons of ammonia from your home. Mix well, then dip a nylon toothbrush into the solution and scrub the walls and areas of your fireplace. After you have scrubbed, use a dry, clean cloth to clean and clean the cleaning solution.
Repeat the scrubbing, washing and wiping until all visible deposits are cleared from your fireplace. Once you are satisfied with the cleanness of your fireplace, clean down any glass doors using a glass cleaner safe for stoves that burn wood.
Aesthetics
Wood fireplaces are beautiful and cannot be compared to modern gas or propane fireplaces. Their rustic look, crackling sound of a roaring fire and their warm feel provide a warm and inviting atmosphere that has stood the test of time. Many people search for this feature when purchasing fireplaces.
While wood-burning fireplaces are great for heating however, they also release harmful gases into your home. They release carbon monoxide and smoke that can cause lung damage. It is essential to have a system that can eliminate these toxins, even though fireplaces are well ventilated. 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 a variety of ways to make your fireplace look more appealing and distinctive. You can make use of reclaimed wood to give the fireplace a more rustic appearance or you could opt to paint it to match your living room decor. You can also build a stone staircase that leads up to the fireplace, creating an interesting and practical feature in your home.
You can also alter the color of your chimney. Black is a popular choice as it looks great and goes with the majority of homes. Another option is to paint your fireplace in white which lets light into the space and creates a bright and airy environment. Gray is another option that can be paired with a variety of styles and is a modern trend. Some homeowners mix grey and beige together, 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
Wood burning fireplaces can create serious safety concerns if they're not properly maintained and operated. They release smoke that is a fine particle of pollution that can get into the lungs, causing lung diseases and other health problems. They also release harmful air pollutants such as carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds. Wood smoke contributes to climate changes by emitting carbon dioxide and methane.
The flue in a wood stove must be cleaned and inspected regularly to ensure that it's working as it should. A clean, efficient flue will help to keep carbon monoxide leaks from becoming dangerous and chimney fires.
If the flue's is showing signs of wear, it must be repaired or replaced immediately. Keep flammable materials, such as curtains, drapes and other items that are flammable, away from the wood stove. Cross-ventilation is a great way to circulate warm air throughout the house to ensure that it doesn't end up back up the chimney.
Ashes must be removed of the fireplace frequently to keep them from accumulating too deep and blocking the air flow. A lot of ash can reduce the oxygen supply for logs, reducing combustion efficiency and leading to more smoke. The ashes can be kept in a metal container or another noncombustible container.
Children should be kept away from the fireplace area especially when it has glass front. There is a risk of burns by touching the hot surfaces during and after the fire. Additionally, the numerous different tools employed to maintain a fireplace like log lifers, pokers and shovels, are dangerous for kids to handle. A three-foot "safety zone" is recommended around the fireplace to avoid children coming in contact with it.
Installing a carbon monoxide alarm as well as detector in your home is also a great idea, especially if you have wood stove. Carbon monoxide can be poisonous and accumulate when the wood stove and chimney are not working correctly.
It is also important to be aware of the state, local, and tribal regulations for wood-burning fireplaces. These regulations could include rules regarding odors and nuisances, "no-burn days" and limits on visible emissions or opacity of chimney smoke. These laws are typically designed to reduce air pollution and are put in place to safeguard public health.
