Maintaining a Wood Burning Fireplace
Nothing warms a home like the crackle of a fireplace that is wood-burning. It is important to keep your fireplace clean to avoid the risk of creosote buildup.
A damper is a crucial element in maintaining a high quality combustion. Hardwoods such as oak and ash produce less creosote.
Energy Efficiency
Wood fireplaces are a beautiful design that creates a cozy ambience and also warmth. However, they aren't energy efficient and can create harmful air pollution if they aren't properly maintained. The kind of wood used as well as the condition and quality of the firebox, chimney system and installation can greatly affect the efficiency of the unit.
Firewood is the main fuel source for wood-burning stoves. It is typically bought in face cords or full cords (measured as 4'x8"x8") It is essential to "seasoned" to reduce its water content and improve its energy density before use. If the wood is too wet it will not be able to burn efficiently and can create a lot of creosote. Seasoning wood typically takes months to a full year or more, depending on the weather and climate conditions.
Wood burning fireplaces require a substantial investment of time and money to ensure they are maintained properly. Aside from buying a large quantity of firewood, homeowners should regularly clean and examine their fireplace to ensure the chimney is free of obstructions and working properly, and that any combustible material is not stored in close proximity to the unit. Regular cleaning and inspections will help reduce the risk of fires in chimneys and room fires.
Smoke from wood-burning stoves has fine particles, which can cause lung damage and lead to serious health problems including lung disease, cardiovascular disease and heart attacks. It also releases toxic air pollutants, including nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, benzene and more. Wood smoke may contribute to the depletion of ozone in the atmosphere and greenhouse gases, as well as other pollutants that could alter the climate of the earth.
Efficiency EPA certified wood stoves use the second combustion method to reduce harmful emissions during firing. They also require a properly size chimney and the installation of an air flue liner in order to maximize performance. It is also crucial to buy seasoned firewood and avoid the temptation to add accelerants such as lighter fluid, gasoline or butane torch to the fire, as it can cause fire to become too hot and cause a risky situation. Additionally homeowners should store their firewood away from their house to help prevent termite infestation.
Cleanliness
Wood-burning fire places are a great alternative to other heating methods. They also create a peaceful ambience. They can be used for primary or additional heating and could qualify for tax credits. However, they can be messy and require regular cleaning to prevent creosote and soot accumulation. A fireplace that is not cleaned can release harmful odors and toxic substances that can impact the quality of air in your home.
The most important thing to remember when burning in a wood fireplace is to use dry firewood. Utilizing kiln dried firewood will help reduce creosote and soot buildup. Kiln dried firewood can be treated in a heated oven or kiln, to eliminate all moisture content. It is recommended only to burn clean, seasoned wood that has been split up and stacked for several months before use.
Before lighting a fire, take the ashes off the floor of the fireplace and the area around the smoke shelf. Make sure you wait until the ashes have cooled completely before dumping them in the bin made of metal. Make use of a whisk or a dustpan brush to sweep and dispose of any other materials that have accumulated outside the flame.
When cleaning a fireplace, make sure to wear gloves and an apron to protect yourself from the dirt and soot that will be produced. To protect your furniture from stains, clean the area and cover it with drop cloths. Wear wood fire stove for sale to ensure that you don't breathe in soot or ash particles.
Start by filling an enormous bucket with one gallon of 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 the mixture well, and then employ a nylon brush to scrub the walls of your fireplace and the surrounding areas. After scrubbing, use a clean, damp cloth to clean and wash the cleaning solution off.
Repeat the scrubbing, washing and wiping until all visible deposits are eliminated from your fireplace. Once you're satisfied with your cleanness, employ 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 appearance of wood fireplaces as well as the roar of a burning fire and the cozy feeling they create have stood the test time. Many people look for this feature when buying fireplaces.
While wood-burning fireplaces are great for heat, they also emit harmful gases into your home. Carbon monoxide, smoke and other gases can damage your lungs. It is important to have a system that can remove these toxins, even if fireplaces are well ventilated. This is why many people prefer a zero clearance wood burning fireplace design, as it helps reduce the amount of harmful gases in your home.
There are many different ways to design your wood fireplace to create a unique attractive. You can paint it to fit the style of your living room or use reclaimed wooden to give it a more rustic appearance. You can also include an uphill stone staircase to the fireplace. This will make an attractive and functional feature in your home.
You can also alter the color of your chimney. Black is a popular choice as it looks stunning and is compatible with a lot of homes. Alternatively, you can paint your fireplace in white, which opens up the room and creates a light and airy atmosphere. Gray is a popular choice that can be paired with a variety of styles and is trendy. Some homeowners even mix gray and beige called greige to highlight this versatility 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 hazards if they are not properly maintained and operated. They emit fine particle pollution that can enter deep into the lungs and trigger lung disease. They also release hazardous air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides and benzene. Wood smoke also contributes to climate change through the release of methane and carbon dioxide.
The flue of a wood stove should be cleaned and inspected regularly to ensure it is functioning properly. A clean, efficient flue will help to 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 combustible materials away from the wood stove, including drapes, curtains and other flammable objects. It is a good idea to install cross-ventilation, which assists in moving warm indoor air throughout the house to ensure that it doesn't get pushed back up the chimney.
Make sure to regularly clean out the ashes to avoid them blocking the airflow and becoming too large in size. Too much ash can restrict the oxygen supply to the logs and decrease the efficiency of combustion, which results in more smoke. The ashes should be stored in a metal bucket or any other non-combustible container.
Make sure that children are not in the area near the fireplace, particularly if there is glass front. They can get burns when they touch hot surfaces after and during a fire. The various tools employed to maintain fireplaces, including shovels, pokers, log lifers and brushes can be hazardous for children to handle. To prevent children from falling into the fire and causing harm, a "safety area" of three feet be constructed around the fireplace.
Installing a carbon monoxide alarm and detector in your home is a good idea too especially if you have wood stove. Carbon monoxide can build up when the chimney and wood stove aren't working properly, and is harmful to breathe.
It is also essential to verify the state, local and tribal regulations for wood-burning fireplaces. These regulations might include nuisance/odor rules, "no-burn" days and visible emissions or opacity limits on smoke from homeowners' chimneys. These laws are often focused on reducing pollution in the air and are in place to protect the health of the public.