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Maintaining a Wood Burning Fireplace
The sound of a fireplace that is wood-burning is a wonderful way to warm the interior of a house. It is essential to keep your fireplace clean to avoid dangerous creosote buildup.
A damper is an essential part of maintaining a good combustion. Hardwoods such as oak and ash create less creosote.
Energy Efficiency
Wood fireplaces are an attractive feature that creates a warm ambience and also warmth. However, they are not efficient in energy use and can result in harmful air pollution if not properly maintained. The condition and quality of your chimney, firebox system, and installation can have a significant impact on the efficiency of your entire system.
Firewood is the primary 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 should 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 produce a lot of creosote. Seasoning wood can take months or even a whole year depending on the weather and the climate.
Wood burning fireplaces require a significant investment of time and money to ensure they are maintained correctly. In addition to purchasing a huge amount of firewood, homeowners should regularly clean and inspect their fireplaces to ensure the chimney is free from obstructions and functioning properly and that any combustible material is not stored close to the fireplace. Regular inspections and cleanings will help to reduce the risk of room and chimney fires.
Smoke from a wood-burning stove contains fine particle pollution, which can harm the lungs and lead to serious health problems including lung disease, heart attacks and cardiovascular disease. It also releases airborne toxic pollutants like nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, benzene and more. Wood smoke is a contributor to the depletion of ozone and greenhouse gases, which can affect the climate of the earth.
Efficiency EPA certified wood stoves utilize the second combustion method to minimize 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 wood that is well-seasoned 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 keep their firewood in a safe location away from their home.
Cleanliness
Wood-burning fireplaces provide a comfortable alternative to other forms of heating. They also provide ambiance that can create a tranquil atmosphere. They can be used as primary or as supplemental heat and may qualify for tax credits. However they can be messy and require regular cleaning to avoid creosote and soot buildup. A fireplace that is dirty can cause unpleasant odors and toxins, and can adversely affect the air quality in the home.
The most important thing to remember when burning in a wood fireplace is to always use dry firewood. Kiln dried firewood helps reduce creosote accumulation and soot. Kiln dried firewood is treated in a heated oven or kiln to remove all moisture content. It is a good idea to only use clean well-seasoned wood that has been sliced into pieces and then stacked for several months before use.
Before you start a fire clean up the ash from the floor and around the smoke shelf and grate. Make sure the ashes are cool before scooping them into an aluminum waste bin to be disposed of. Make use of a brush or a Broom to sweep away any other materials that have accumulated outside the fire.
Wear gloves and an apron while cleaning a fireplace to protect yourself from the dust, soot and dirt that can be accumulated. It is recommended to clear the working space and cover any adjacent furniture with drop cloths to guard against staining. Wear a mask to ensure you don't breathe in any soot or ash particles.
Fill a large bucket up with warm water. Add 3.8 teaspoons of trisodium (TSP) as well as 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 other areas of your fireplace. After you have scrubbed the walls and the surrounding areas of your fireplace, wipe it off with a clean, damp cloth.
Repeat wood burning stoves near me scrubbing and wiping procedure until all visible deposits are removed from your fireplace. When you're satisfied with the cleanness you can use the glass cleaner that's safe for wood-burning stoves for cleaning any glass doors.
Aesthetics
Wood fireplaces have a beauty that modern propane or gas fire places can't match. Their rustic appearance, the crackling sound of a roaring fire and their warm feel provide a warm and inviting ambience that has stood the test of time. Many people look for this feature when purchasing a fireplace.
Wood-burning fireplaces can be excellent for heating your home however, they also release dangerous gasses. These include carbon monoxide as well as smoke that could cause lung damage. It is important to have an effective system that can eliminate these harmful substances, even if fireplaces are well ventilated. This is why many people prefer using a zero clearance wood burning fireplace design, as it helps reduce the amount of harmful gases present in your home.
There are several ways to make your wood fireplace more appealing and unique. You can paint it to be in line with the interior decor of your living space or use reclaimed wooden to give it an even more rustic look. You can also include an uphill stone staircase to the fireplace. This will create an attractive and functional feature for your home.
You can also alter the color of your chimney. Black is a popular choice as it looks stunning and is compatible with most homes. Alternatively, you can paint your fireplace in white which opens up the room and creates a bright and airy space. Gray is a popular color that can be paired with a variety of styles and is on trend. Some homeowners mix beige and grey together, also known as greige, to highlight the 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 not maintained and operated in a safe manner, wood burning fireplaces can pose serious safety risks. They emit fine particle pollution which can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing lung diseases. They also release harmful air pollutants, such as carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds. Wood smoke is also a contributor to climate change by releasing carbon dioxide and methane.
The flue of a wood stove should be inspected and cleaned regularly to ensure that it's functioning properly. A clean and well-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. It is also important to keep combustible materials away from the wood stove, which includes curtains, drapes and other flammable objects. It is a good idea to set up cross-ventilation which helps move warm indoor air throughout the home so that it doesn't get pushed back up the chimney.
Ashes must be removed from the fireplace on a regular basis to avoid them accumulating too deep and blocking the air flow. Too much ash will reduce the oxygen supply for logs, which will reduce the efficiency of combustion and resulting in more smoke. The ashes should be stored in a bucket made of steel or any other non-combustible container.
Be sure to keep children away from the area near the fireplace, particularly if there is glass front. They can get burns if they touch the hot surfaces while they are in an fire. The numerous tools used to maintain fireplaces, such as pokers, shovels, log lifers and brushes are also dangerous for children to handle. To stop children from accidentally contacting the fireplace and causing harm, it is recommended that a "safety area" of three feet should be constructed around it.
Installing a carbon monoxide alarm as well as detector in your home is also a great idea especially if you have a wood stove. Carbon monoxide can build up when the chimney and wood stove aren't functioning correctly, and it is poisonous to breathe.
It is also important to be aware of the local, state, and tribal regulations on wood-burning fireplaces. These rules could include rules for odors and nuisances, "no-burn days" and limits on visible emissions or opacity of smoke from chimneys. These laws are usually designed to reduce air pollution and protect the public's health.