Maintaining a Wood Burning Fireplace
Nothing warms a home like the crackle of a wood burning fireplace. If you have one, it is vital to maintain it regularly to avoid the risk of creosote accumulating in dangerous amounts.
A damper is a crucial part of maintaining a good combustion. Hardwoods like oak and ash produce less creosote.
Energy Efficiency
Wood fireplaces are an attractive feature that creates a warm ambiance and provides warmth. However, they are not efficient in energy use and can result in polluting air if they are not properly maintained. The kind of wood used, the quality and condition of the firebox, chimney system and installation can significantly affect the effectiveness of the unit.
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'). Firewood must be "seasoned" to reduce its water content and improve its energy density prior to use. If the wood is too moist it will not be able to burn as efficiently and could cause a lot of creosote. Seasoning wood generally takes from months to a full year or more, based on the climate and weather conditions.
Wood burning fireplaces require a significant investment of time and money to ensure they are maintained properly. In addition to purchasing a large amount of firewood, owners must regularly inspect and clean their fireplace. This is to ensure that the chimney is free of obstructions, is working correctly, and that there is no combustible material near the unit. Regular inspections and cleanings will help reduce the risk for room and chimney fires.
Smoke from wood-burning stoves contains fine particle pollution, which can damage the lungs and lead to serious health issues like lung disease, heart attacks and cardiovascular disease. It also releases carbon monoxide and other air pollutants that are toxic, such as volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, benzene, and formaldehyde. Wood smoke contributes to the atmospheric reductions in ozone and greenhouse gases, which can harm the earth's climate.
Efficient EPA-certified wood stoves use a secondary combustion process to limit the production of harmful emissions during the firing. They also require a properly sized chimney and installation of an air flue liner in order to maximize performance. It is essential to use seasoned wood and to avoid adding accelerants to the fire such as lighter liquid, gasoline or butane torch. This can overload the fire, creating a risky situation. Additionally, homeowners should store their firewood away from the house to help prevent termite infestation.
Cleanliness
Wood-burning fire places are a great alternative to other heating methods. They also provide a tranquil ambience. They can be used as primary or supplementary heat sources and could be eligible for tax credits. They can be messy and require regular cleaning to avoid soot and creosote buildup. A fireplace that is dirty can release toxins and unpleasant odors which can negatively impact the air quality inside your home.
When burning wood in the fireplace, it is crucial to use only dry firewood. Using 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 of its moisture content. It is recommended to only burn clean, seasoned (burned) wood that has been sliced and placed in a stack for a couple of months prior to use.
Before lighting a fire, take the ashes off the floor of the fireplace as well as the area around the smoke shelf. Make sure you wait until the ashes have cooled completely before you dump them into an aluminum bin. With a dust pan or whisk broom, also sweep and dump any other stray debris that has 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 produced. To keep your furniture safe from stains, clean the area thoroughly 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 teaspoons of trisodium (TSP) as well as one cup of bleach and two tablespoons of household ammonia. Mix well and then dip a nylon toothbrush into the solution and scrub the walls and surrounding areas of your fireplace. After scrubbing the walls and the surrounding areas of your fireplace, wipe it off with a clean, damp cloth.
Repeat the scrubbing, rinse and wiping until all visible deposits are removed from your fireplace. Once you are satisfied with the cleanness of your fireplace, scrub off any glass doors with a glass cleaner safe for stoves that burn wood.
Aesthetics
Wood fireplaces are beautiful and aren't able to be compared with modern propane or gas fireplaces. The rustic appearance of wood fireplaces as well as the roar of a fire roaring and the cozy feeling they give have stood the test of time. This is a feature that many people look for when shopping for fireplaces.
While wood-burning fireplaces are great for heat however, they also release harmful gases into your home. Carbon monoxide, smoke and other gases can damage your lungs. Although fireplaces are generally well-ventilated, it's important to have an effective system in place to assist in the elimination of these toxins. Many prefer a zero clearance design for fireplaces that burn wood, since they lower the amount of harmful gases in their home.
There are several ways to make your fireplace more appealing and distinctive. You can make use of recycled wood to give it a rustic look or opt to paint it to fit with the decor of your living space. You can also add a stone staircase that leads to the fireplace, which creates a fun and functional feature in your home.
You can also alter the color of your chimney. A popular choice is black, which is beautiful and matches most homes. You can also paint your fireplace white to let the space breathe and create a fresh airy ambience. Gray is a popular option that goes with many styles and is currently trending. Some homeowners even mix gray and beige together and call it 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
If not maintained and operated in a safe manner Wood burning fireplaces that are not properly maintained and operated can pose serious safety risks. They emit fine particle pollution that can get into the lungs and cause lung diseases. They also release harmful air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides and benzene. Wood smoke is also a contributor to climate change by releasing methane and carbon dioxide.
A wood stove's flue should be inspected and cleaned regularly to ensure that it is working properly. A clean, well-functioning flue will help to keep carbon monoxide leaks from becoming dangerous and chimney fires.
If the flue is showing signs of wear, it must be replaced or repaired as soon as it becomes apparent. It is also important to keep combustible materials away from the wood stove, such as drapes, curtains and other flammable objects. Cross-ventilation is a great way to move warm air throughout the house so that it doesn't return up the chimney.
Regularly sweep out the ashes to keep them from blocking the airflow and becoming too large in size. A lot of ash can impede the oxygen supply to the logs, and reduce combustion efficiency, which also creates more smoke. The ashes should be stored in a metal bucket or other noncombustible container.
Be sure to keep children away from the area around the fireplace, particularly when there is glass front. They can get burns by touching the hot surfaces while they are in the fire. In addition, the many different tools used to maintain a fireplace like brushes, pokers, log lifers, and shovels can be dangerous for kids to handle. A three-foot "safety zone" is recommended around the fireplace to avoid children coming in contact with it.
It is also a good idea to install an carbon monoxide detector as well as an alarm in the home, particularly if there is a wood stove. wood burning stove near me can build up when the chimney and wood stove aren't operating properly, and is harmful to breathe.
It is also crucial to check the local, state, and tribal regulations on wood-burning fireplaces. These regulations might include nuisance/odor rules, "no-burn" days and visible emissions/opacity limits for the smoke that is emitted from chimneys of homeowners. These laws are usually focused on reducing pollution in the air and are in place to protect the health of the public.