Maintaining a Wood Burning Fireplace

Nothing warms a home like the crackle of a wood burning fireplace. It is important to keep your fireplace clean to avoid dangerous creosote buildup.

A damper is an essential component of maintaining a healthy combustion. Hardwoods such as oak and ash create less creosote.

Energy Efficiency

Wood fireplaces can be a stunning amenity, creating a warm and cozy environment. They are not energy-efficient and could cause pollutant emissions if not maintained properly. The kind of wood used the quality and condition of the firebox, chimney and installation may significantly impact the overall effectiveness of the appliance.

The main fuel source for a traditional wood burning stove is firewood, which can be bought in a face cord or a full cord (measured at 4'x8'x8'). Before using firewood, it needs to be "seasoned" to reduce the amount of water in it and increase its energy density. If the wood is wet, it won't burn efficiently and will produce a lot of creosote. Seasoning wood generally takes from months to a year or more, based on the weather and the climate.

Wood burning fireplaces require a significant investment of time and money to maintain them correctly. Aside from buying a large amount of firewood, homeowners need to regularly clean and inspect their fireplaces to ensure the chimney is free of obstructions and functioning properly and that any combustible material is not stored close to the unit. Regular cleaning and inspections will reduce the risk of fires in chimneys and room fires.

Smoke from a wood-burning fireplace contains fine particle pollution, which can harm the lungs and lead to serious health issues like lung disease, heart attacks and cardiovascular disease. It also releases carbon monoxide as well as other toxic air pollutants, such as volatile organic compounds nitrogen oxides, wood burning fireplace benzene and formaldehyde. Wood smoke contributes to the atmospheric reductions in ozone and greenhouse gases, which can impact the earth's climate.

Effective EPA-certified wood stoves employ a secondary combustion process to reduce the generation of harmful emissions during the firing. They also require a proper size chimney as well as flue liner to maximize performance. It is also essential to buy firewood that is seasoned and beware of the temptation to add accelerants like lighter fluid, gasoline, or butane torch to the fire as they can add fuel to the fire and create a dangerous situation. To stop termite infestations 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 peaceful atmosphere. They can be used for primary or supplemental heating, and could qualify for tax credits. They can be messy and require regular cleaning to prevent soot and creosote buildup. A fireplace that is dirty can cause unpleasant odors, toxins and can adversely affect the air quality inside the home.

The most important thing to remember when burning a wood fireplace is to make use of dry firewood. Kiln dried firewood aids in reducing creosote accumulation and soot. Kiln dried wood is treated by heating or kiln to eliminate all moisture. It is recommended to only burn clean well-seasoned (burned) wood that has been split and stacked for a few months prior to using.

Before starting a fire, remove ash from the fireplace floor and around the smoke shelf and grate. Make sure that the ashes are completely cool before scooping them into the metal waste bin for disposal. Make use of a brush or a brush to sweep away any other debris that may have accumulated outside the flame.

Wear gloves and an apron while cleaning a fireplace to protect yourself from the dust, soot, and dirt that will be created. To keep your furniture safe from stains, clean the area and cover it with drop cloths. Wear a mask to ensure that you don't inhale any soot or ash particles.

Fill a large bucket with warm water. Add 3.8 teaspoons of trisodium (TSP) and one cup of bleach and two tablespoons of ammonia from your home. Mix the mixture well, then use a nylon brush scrub the walls of your fireplace and the surrounding areas. After you have scrubbed, use a clean, damp cloth to clean and wash the cleaning solution off.

Repeat the scrubbing, rinsing and wiping until all visible stains are eliminated from your fireplace. Once you are satisfied with the cleanliness of your fireplace, scrub down any glass doors with a glass cleaner that is safe for stoves that burn wood.

Aesthetics

Wood fireplaces have a beauty that modern gas or propane fire places cannot rival. The rustic appearance of fireplaces made of wood and the sound of a fire roaring and the warm feeling they create have stood the test of time. This is a characteristic that a lot of people seek when shopping for fireplaces.

Wood-burning fireplaces are ideal for heating your home however, they also release harmful gasses. Carbon monoxide, smoke and other gases can damage your lungs. While fireplaces are typically well-ventilated, it's important to have an effective system in place to assist in the elimination of these toxins. This is the reason why many prefer a zero clearance wood burning fireplace to reduce the amount of harmful gases in your home.

There are many different ways to design your fireplace to make it more unique and visually appealing. You can paint it to be in line with the interior decor of your living space or use reclaimed wood burning stove outdoor to give it a more rustic look. You can also include an uphill stone staircase to the fireplace. This will make a functional and fun feature for your home.

You can also alter your chimney's color. The most popular color is black, which looks stunning and is a perfect match for most homes. You can also paint your fireplace white to let the space breathe and create a light airy feel. Gray is a third option that is compatible with a variety of styles and is a trendy trend. Some homeowners even mix gray and beige called 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 in a safe manner, wood burning fireplaces can be a serious risk to safety. They emit fine particle pollution that can get into the lungs, causing lung disease. They also release dangerous air pollutants such as carbon monoxide volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides and benzene. Wood smoke contributes to climate changes by release of carbon dioxide and methane.

A wood stove's flue should be regularly inspected and cleaned to ensure it is functioning properly. A clean and functional chimney flue can keep carbon monoxide from leaking into the air and chimney fires.

If the flue liner is degrading it is recommended to replace it or repaired right away. Keep flammable items, such as drapes, curtains and other objects that ignite, away from the wood stove. Cross-ventilation is an excellent method to move warm air around the house so it doesn't go back up the chimney.

Ashes should be swept out from the fireplace on a regular basis to keep them from accumulating too deeply and obstructing air flow. The accumulation of ash will decrease the oxygen supply to logs, which can reduce the efficiency of combustion and leading to more smoke. The ashes should be placed in a metal bucket or another non-combustible container.

Children should be kept away from the area around the fireplace, especially when it has glass front. If they come in contact with hot surfaces, both during and after the fire, they may get burned. Additionally, the numerous different tools employed to maintain a fireplace, like pokers, log lifers, and shovels can be unsafe for children to handle. A three-foot "safety zone" should be established around the fireplace to stop children from coming into contact with it.

Installing a carbon monoxide alarm as well as detector in your home is a good idea too particularly if you own wood stove. Carbon monoxide can build up when the chimney and wood stove aren't operating properly, and is poisonous to breathe.

Finally, it is important to verify the state, local, and tribal regulations for wood burning fireplaces. These rules could include nuisance/odor rules, "no-burn" days and visible emissions or opacity limits on the smoke that is emitted from chimneys of homeowners. These laws are usually designed to reduce air pollution and safeguard public health.