Maintaining a Wood Burning Fireplace
The sound of a fireplace with wood is a wonderful method to warm up your home. It is crucial to keep your fireplace clean to avoid the risk of creosote buildup.
A damper is an important part of maintaining a good combustion. Hardwoods such as oak and ash produce less creosote.
Energy Efficiency
Wood fireplaces are a stunning design that creates a cozy ambience and also heat. They aren't efficient in terms of energy and can contribute to pollutant emissions if not maintained properly. The condition and the quality of your chimney system, and installation can significantly affect the efficiency of your entire system.
The main fuel source for a traditional wood-burning stove is firewood, which is usually purchased in a face cord or full cord (measured at 4'x8'x8'). Firewood must be "seasoned" to reduce the water content and increase its energy density before use. If the wood is damp it will not burn as efficiently and will result in a lot of creosote. The process of preparing wood for seasoning can take anywhere from months to a full year or more, depending on the climate and weather conditions.
Wood burning fireplaces require a substantial investment of time and money to ensure they are maintained properly. Apart from purchasing a large quantity of firewood, homeowners need to regularly clean and inspect their fireplace to ensure that the chimney is free of obstructions and operating properly and that any combustible material is not stored close to the fireplace. Regular inspections and cleanings will help to reduce the risk of room and chimney fires.
Smoke from a wood-burning fireplace contains fine particle pollution, which can damage the lungs and cause serious health issues like lung disease, heart attacks and cardiovascular disease. It also releases carbon monoxide and other harmful air pollutants like volatile organic compounds such as nitrogen oxides, benzene and formaldehyde. Wood smoke contributes to atmospheric depletion of greenhouse gases and ozone which can affect the climate of the earth.
Effective EPA-certified wood stoves employ secondary combustion to limit the production of harmful emissions when firing. portable wood burning stove require a suitable sized chimney and installation of an air flue liner in order to maximize performance. It is important 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 fantastic alternative to other heating methods. They also create a peaceful ambience. They can be used as primary or supplemental heating and could qualify for tax credits. They can be messy, and require regular cleaning in order to prevent soot and creosote buildup. A fireplace that is dirty can cause unpleasant odors and toxins and can adversely affect the air quality inside the home.
When burning wood in a fireplace, it is essential to use dry firewood. Kiln dried firewood helps reduce creosote buildup and soot. Kiln dried firewood is treated in a heated oven or kiln, to remove all of its moisture content. It is recommended to only burn clean and seasoned (burned) wood that has been sliced and placed in a stack for a couple of months prior to using.
Before lighting a flame, take the ashes off the floor of the fireplace and the area around the smoke shelf. Make sure that the ashes are cool before scooping them into the metal waste bin to dispose of. Use a dustpan or whisk brush to sweep away any other debris that may have accumulated outside the fire.
When cleaning a fireplace, be sure to wear gloves and an apron to protect yourself from the dirt and soot that will be produced. To keep your furniture safe from stains, clear the area and cover it with drop cloths. Wear a dust mask to ensure that you don't inhale any soot or ash particles.
Begin by filling up an enormous bucket with one gallon of warm water. Add 3.8 teaspoons of trisodium (TSP), one cup of bleach and two tablespoons of household ammonia. Mix well, then dip a nylon brush in the solution and scrub the walls and other areas of your fireplace. After scrubbing, use a clean damp cloth to wipe and wash the cleaning solution off.
Repeat the scrubbing, rinse and wiping until all visible deposits are removed from your fireplace. When you are satisfied with the cleanness of your fireplace, wipe down any glass doors using an approved glass cleaner for wood burning stoves.
Aesthetics
Wood fireplaces have a beauty that modern propane or gas fire places can't match. The rustic appearance of fireplaces made of wood as well as the roar of a fire roaring and the cozy atmosphere they give have stood the test time. This is a feature that a lot of people seek when looking for a fireplace.
While wood-burning fireplaces are great for heating but they also release harmful gases into your home. These include carbon monoxide and smoke that can harm your lungs. It is essential to have an effective system to eliminate these toxins, even though fireplaces are well ventilated. This is the reason why many prefer a zero clearance wood burning fireplace to reduce the amount of harmful gases present in your home.
There are many ways to design your wood fireplace to make it more unique and aesthetic. 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 build an uphill stone staircase that is connected to the fireplace. This will make an attractive and functional feature for your home.
You can also alter the color of your chimney. The most popular color is black, which looks beautiful and complements the majority of homes. You can also paint your fireplace white to make the room appear larger and create a bright, airy atmosphere. Gray is another option that can be paired with a variety of styles and is a modern trend. Some homeowners mix gray and beige together and call it 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 penetrate deeply into the lungs, causing lung ailments and other health issues. They also release harmful air pollutants such as carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds. Wood smoke contributes to climate change by release of carbon dioxide and methane.
The flue of a wood stove must be regularly cleaned and inspected to ensure it's functioning correctly. A clean, functioning flue can help keep carbon monoxide leaks from becoming dangerous and chimney fires.
If the flue lining is deteriorating it should be replaced or repaired immediately. Keep flammable materials, such as curtains, drapes and other objects that ignite away from the wood stove. It is a good idea to install cross-ventilation, which helps move warm air throughout the house to ensure that it doesn't flow back up the chimney.
Make sure to regularly clean out the ashes to avoid them blocking 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 causes more smoke. The ashes should be stored in a bucket made of metal or other noncombustible container.
Children should be kept out from the fireplace, especially if it has an open glass front. If they touch hot surfaces both during and after the fire, they can get burned. The various tools employed to maintain fireplaces, like shovels, pokers log lifers, brushes, and others, can also be dangerous for children to handle. To ensure that children do not accidentally contacting the fireplace it is recommended that an "safety area" of three feet must be set up around the fireplace.
It is also a good idea to install an carbon monoxide detector as well as an alarm in the home, particularly in the case of a wood stove. Carbon monoxide can be poisonous and be a problem if the wood stove and chimney are not functioning correctly.
It is also essential to verify the local, state, and tribal regulations on wood-burning fireplaces. These regulations may include rules for odors and nuisances, "no-burn days" and limits on visible emissions or the opacity of chimney smoke. These laws are usually designed to reduce air pollution and protect the public's health.