Maintaining a Wood Burning Fireplace
Nothing warms a house like the roar of a wood-burning fireplace. If you have one, it is essential to keep it maintained regularly to prevent the risk of creosote accumulating in dangerous amounts.
Airflow can be controlled with a damper, and this is an essential element in maintaining efficient combustion. Hardwoods like oak and ash create less creosote.
Energy Efficiency
Wood fireplaces can be an attractive feature, creating warm and inviting environment. They aren't efficient in terms of energy and could cause air pollution if they are not maintained properly. The condition and quality of your chimney system, and installation could significantly affect the overall efficiency.
The primary fuel for a traditional wood-burning stove is firewood, which can be purchased in a face or a full cord (measured at 4'x8'x8'). The wood must be "seasoned" to reduce its water content and increase its energy density prior to use. If the wood is wet, it won't burn efficiently and will create a lot creosote. Seasoning wood generally takes from months to a full year or more, depending on the weather and the climate.
A fireplace that burns wood requires a significant investment in terms of both time and money to maintain it in a proper manner. In addition to purchasing large quantities of firewood, homeowners must regularly inspect and clean their fireplace. This is to ensure that the chimney is free of obstructions, is working well, and that there is no combustible material is stored near the unit. Regular cleanings and inspections will help to reduce the risk of room and chimney fires.
The smoke that comes from wood-burning fireplaces is a source of fine particles that can cause lung damage and serious health problems such as heart attacks, cardiovascular disease, and lung disease. It also releases carbon monoxide as well as other harmful air pollutants like volatile organic compounds such as nitrogen oxides, benzene and formaldehyde. Wood smoke can contribute to the depletion of oxygen in the atmosphere, greenhouse gases and other pollutants that can alter the climate of the earth.
Effective EPA-certified wood stoves employ an additional combustion process to minimize the production of harmful emissions during the firing. These stoves also require a suitable sized chimney and installation of an air flue liner in order to maximize performance. It is also important to purchase seasoned firewood, and beware of the temptation to add accelerants like lighter fluid, gasoline or butane torch to the fire as this can overload the fire and create a dangerous situation. To avoid termite infestation homeowners should also keep their firewood away from their homes.
Cleanliness
Wood-burning fire places are a great alternative to other heating methods. They also create a relaxing ambience. 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 avoid creosote and soot buildup. A dirty fireplace can create unpleasant odors and toxins, and can affect the quality of air inside 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 can be treated in a heated oven, or kiln to remove all moisture content. It is a good idea to only use clean and seasoned wood that has been split into pieces and then stacked for several months before use.
Before lighting a fire, remove ash from the floor of the fireplace and the area around the smoke shelf. Make sure that the ashes are completely cool before placing them in an aluminum waste bin to dispose of. With a dust pan or whisk broom, also sweep and dump any other stray debris that may have accumulated outside the fireplace.
When cleaning a fireplace, be sure to wear gloves and an apron to shield yourself from the dust and soot that will be generated. You should clear a working space and cover any nearby furniture with drop cloths to guard against staining. It is also recommended to wear a mask to prevent inhaling any ash or soot particles.
Fill a large bucket with warm water. Add 3.8 tablespoons of trisodium phosphate (TSP) 1 cup of bleach, and 2 tablespoons of household ammonia. Mix well and then dip a nylon toothbrush into the solution and scrub the walls and other areas of your fireplace. After scrubbing the walls as well as the areas around your fireplace, wipe it off with a damp, clean cloth.
Repeat the scrubbing and wiping process until all visible deposits have been removed from your fireplace. When you're satisfied with the cleanliness you can use the glass cleaner that's safe for wood-burning stoves to clean the glass doors.
Aesthetics
Wood fireplaces are stunning and aren't able to be compared with modern gas or propane fireplaces. The rustic look of fireplaces made of wood as well as the roar of a burning fire and the cozy atmosphere they give have stood the test of time. Many people look for this feature when purchasing a fireplace.
While stove wood burning -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. While fireplaces are typically well-ventilated, it is important to have an effective system in place to assist in the elimination of these toxins. Many people prefer zero clearance designs for wood burning fireplaces, because they can reduce the amount of harmful gasses that enter their home.
There are a variety of ways to make your fireplace more attractive and distinctive. 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 add an uphill stone staircase that is connected to the fireplace. This will create a functional and fun feature in your home.
You can also alter the color of your chimney. The most popular option is black, which is beautiful and matches most homes. You can also paint your fireplace white which opens up the space and creates a bright and airy space. Gray is a popular color that goes with many styles and is trendy. Some homeowners even mix beige and gray together, known as 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 lead to serious safety issues if not maintained and operated properly. They release fine particles that can enter deep into the lungs and cause lung disease. They also release harmful air pollutants such as carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds. Wood smoke contributes to climate changes by releasing methane and carbon dioxide.
The flue of a wood stove needs to be cleaned and inspected regularly to ensure that it functions correctly. A clean, functioning flue can help keep carbon monoxide leaks from becoming dangerous and chimney fires.
If the flue liner is degrading it is recommended to replace it or repaired right away. Be sure to keep flammable objects, such as drapes, curtains and other items that are flammable, away from the wood stove. Cross-ventilation is a fantastic method to move warm air throughout the house so that it doesn't return up the chimney.
Make sure to regularly clean out the ashes to keep them from becoming a block to airflow and then building up too much. A lot of ash can impede the flow of oxygen to the logs and decrease combustion efficiency, which also creates more smoke. The ashes can be stored in a metal container or in a non-combustible container.
Children should be kept out from the area around the fireplace, especially when it has an open glass front. If they come in contact with hot surfaces, both during and after the fire, they may get burned. The numerous tools employed to maintain fireplaces such as pokers, shovels log lifers, brushes, and others are also dangerous for children to handle. A three-foot "safety zone" must be set up around the fireplace to stop children coming in contact with it.
It is also a good idea to install a carbon monoxide detector and alarm in the home, particularly in the case of a wood stove. Carbon monoxide is poisonous and can build up in the wood stove if the chimney are not working properly.
It is also important to be aware of the state, local and tribal regulations regarding wood-burning fireplaces. These may include nuisance/odor rules, "no-burn" days and visible emissions/opacity limits for smoke from homeowners' chimneys. These laws are usually designed to reduce air pollution and protect the public's health.