Maintaining a Wood Burning Fireplace
Nothing warms a home like the crackle of a wood burning fireplace. If you have one, it's vital to maintain it regularly to prevent dangerous creosote build-ups.
Airflow can be controlled using dampers and is an essential element in maintaining efficient combustion. Hardwoods like oak and ash produce less creosote.
Energy Efficiency
Wood fireplaces can be a beautiful amenity, creating an inviting and warm environment. However, they are not efficient in terms of energy efficiency and can cause harmful air pollution if not properly maintained. The kind of wood used as well as the condition and quality of the firebox, the chimney system and installation can greatly affect the efficiency of the appliance.
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 needs to be "seasoned" in order to decrease its water content 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 can last for months or even a year, depending on weather and the climate.
A fireplace that burns wood requires a substantial investment in both money and time to maintain it in a proper manner. In addition, to purchasing a large amount of firewood, owners must regularly check and clean their fireplace. This is to ensure that the chimney is clear of obstructions, operates well, and that there is there is no combustible material close to the fireplace. Regular cleaning and inspections help to reduce the risk of fireplace and room fires.
The smoke that comes from wood-burning fireplaces has fine particles that could cause lung damage and serious health issues, including heart attacks, cardiovascular disease and lung diseases. It also releases harmful air pollutants like nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde and benzene. Wood smoke can contribute to the atmospheric depletion ozone and greenhouse gases, as well as other pollutants that influence the earth's climate.
Efficient EPA-certified wood stoves use secondary combustion to reduce the generation of harmful emissions when firing. These stoves also require a properly size chimney and the installation of flue liner to maximize performance. It is also crucial to purchase seasoned firewood, and beware of the temptation to add accelerants such as lighter fluid, gasoline or butane torch to the flame as it can cause fire to become too hot and create a dangerous situation. In addition homeowners should keep their firewood outside of the house to help prevent termite infestation.
Cleanliness
Wood-burning fireplaces provide a comfortable alternative to other types of heating. They also provide ambiance that creates a relaxing atmosphere. They can be used as primary or supplementary heat sources and may qualify for tax credits. They can be messy and require regular cleaning in order to avoid soot and creosote buildup. A dirty fireplace can emit harmful odors and toxic substances that can impact the air quality in your home.
When burning wood in a fireplace, it is important to use only dry firewood. Kiln dried firewood can help reduce creosote accumulation and soot. Kiln dried firewood is treated in a heated oven or kiln, to eliminate all moisture content. It is best to only burn clean and seasoned wood that has been cut into pieces and stacked for a few months prior to use.
Before lighting a fire, remove ash from the floor of the fireplace and around the grate and smoke shelf. Make sure you wait until the ashes have cooled completely before throwing them into the bin made of metal. With an empty pan or a whisk broom as well as sweeping and dumping any other stray debris that has accumulated around the fireplace.
Wear gloves and an apron while cleaning a fireplace in order to protect yourself from the dust, soot and dirt that will be created. To keep your furniture safe from stains, clear the area and cover it with drop cloths. Wear a dust mask so you don't breathe in any ash or particles of soot.
Fill a large bucket up with warm water. Add 3.8 tablespoons of trisodiumphosphate (TSP), 1 cup of bleach and 2 tablespoons of household ammonia. Mix the mixture well, then use a nylon brush to scrub the walls of your fireplace and the surrounding areas. After you have scrubbed the walls and the surrounding areas of your fireplace, wipe it off with a damp, clean cloth.
Repeat the scrubbing, wiping and cleaning process until all visible deposits have been removed from your fireplace. Once you're satisfied with your cleanliness then make use of 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 propane or gas fireplaces. Their rustic look, the crackling sounds of a burning fire and their warm feel create a cozy atmosphere that has stood the test of time. This is a characteristic that a lot of people seek when shopping for 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 damage your lungs. While the fireplaces are usually well ventilated, it is essential to have a system in place that can aid in eliminating these toxins. This is the reason why many prefer a zero clearance wood burning fireplace design, as it helps reduce the quantity of harmful gases that are present in your home.
There are several ways to make your fireplace more attractive and unique. You can make use of recycled wood to give it a more rustic feel or you could opt to paint it to complement the decor of your living room. You can also build an uphill stone staircase to the fireplace. wood burning stoves near me will create a functional and fun feature for your home.
You can also change your chimney's color. Black is a popular choice since it looks stunning and is compatible with a lot of homes. Another option is to paint your fireplace white, which opens up the space and creates bright and airy environment. Gray is another option that can be paired with many different styles and is a trendy trend. Some homeowners even mix gray and beige, known as greige, to show their 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 not maintained and operated correctly, wood burning fireplaces can pose serious dangers to safety. They release smoke, which contains fine particle pollution that can get into the lungs, causing lung ailments and other health issues. They also release dangerous air pollutants, including carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds. nitrogen oxides, and benzene. Wood smoke is a major contributor to climate change by releasing methane and carbon dioxide.
A wood stove's flue should be regularly inspected and cleaned to ensure that it's working as it should. A clean, efficient flue can help prevent dangerous carbon monoxide leaks and chimney fires.
If the flue liner is getting worn out, it should be replaced or repaired as soon as possible. It is also important to keep any combustible material away from the wood stove, such as curtains, drapes and other flammable items. Cross-ventilation is an excellent method to move warm air around the house so that it doesn't return up the chimney.
Regularly sweep out the ashes to avoid them blocking the airflow and becoming too large in size. Too much ash will reduce the oxygen supply to logs, which can reduce the efficiency of combustion and resulting in more smoke. The ashes can be kept in a container made of metal or another noncombustible container.
Be sure to keep children away from the area around the fireplace, particularly when there is glass front. If they touch hot surfaces, both during and after the fire, they may get burned. Additionally, the numerous different tools employed to maintain a fireplace like log lifers, pokers and shovels can be dangerous for kids to handle. A three-foot "safety zone" should be established around the fireplace to stop children from coming into contact with it.
It is an excellent idea to install an carbon monoxide detector as well as an alarm in your home, particularly in the case of wood stove. Carbon monoxide can be poisonous and accumulate in the wood stove if the chimney are not functioning correctly.
It is also crucial to check the local, state, and tribal regulations on wood-burning fireplaces. These regulations could include rules governing odors and nuisances, "no-burn days" and restrictions on visible emissions or opacity of smoke coming from chimneys. These laws are often designed to reduce air pollution and protect public health.