Maintaining a Wood Burning Fireplace
Nothing warms a house like the crackle of a wood burning fireplace. It is crucial to keep your fireplace in good condition to avoid the risk of creosote buildup.
A damper is an essential element in maintaining a high quality combustion. The type of firewood used may affect the outcome, with hardwoods like oak and ash producing less creosote than softwoods.
Energy Efficiency
Wood fireplaces can be an attractive amenity, creating warm and inviting environment. They are not energy-efficient and could cause pollutant emissions if not maintained in a timely manner. The kind of wood used, the quality and condition of the firebox, the chimney installation and chimney can greatly affect the effectiveness of the unit.
Firewood is the primary fuel source for wood-burning stoves. It is usually purchased in face cords or full cords (measured as 4'x8"x8") Before using firewood, it should be "seasoned", to reduce the amount of water and increase its energy density. If the wood is too moist it will not burn as efficiently and could cause lots of creosote. The process of preparing wood for seasoning can take anywhere from months to a full year or more, based on the weather and the climate.
A fireplace with wood-burning capability requires a substantial investment in both time and money to maintain it in a proper manner. Aside from buying a large quantity of firewood, homeowners need to regularly clean and examine their fireplace to ensure that the chimney is free of obstructions and functioning properly and that any combustible material is not stored in close proximity to the fireplace. Regular cleaning and inspections help reduce the risk for fireplace and room fires.
Smoke from a wood-burning stove is a source of fine particle pollution which can cause lung damage and cause serious health issues like lung disease, cardiovascular disease and heart attacks. It also releases carbon monoxide and other toxic air pollutants, such as volatile organic compounds such as nitrogen oxides, benzene and formaldehyde. Wood smoke is a contributor to the depletion of oxygen in the atmosphere as well as greenhouse gases and other pollutants that can alter the climate of the earth.
Efficiency EPA certified wood stoves employ the second combustion method to reduce harmful emissions during firing. To ensure optimal performance the stoves need a properly sized chimney as well as the installation of a flue liner. It is also important to buy seasoned firewood and beware of the temptation to add accelerants like gasoline, lighter fluid 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 the house to help prevent termite infestation.
Cleanliness
Wood-burning fire places are an excellent alternative to other heating methods. They also provide a tranquil atmosphere. They can be used for primary or additional heating and can be eligible for tax credits. They can be messy, and require regular cleaning in order to prevent creosote and soot buildup. A fireplace that is dirty can release toxic odors and toxins, which can affect the air quality inside your home.
The most important thing to remember when burning in a wood fireplace is to make use of 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 and seasoned (burned) wood that has been sliced and stored for a few 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 are cool completely before dumping them in the bin made of metal. Using an empty pan or a whisk broom, also sweep and dump any other stray debris that has accumulated around the fireplace.
When cleaning a fireplace, be sure to wear gloves and an apron to shield yourself from the dirt and soot produced. You should clear a working area and cover any nearby furniture with drop cloths to guard against staining. 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 tablespoons of trisodium phosphate (TSP), 1 cup of bleach and 2 tablespoons of household ammonia. Mix well, then dip a nylon brush into the solution and scrub the walls and surrounding areas of your fireplace. After scrubbing the walls and surrounding areas of your fireplace, wipe it off with an aqueous, damp cloth.
Repeat the scrubbing and wiping process until all visible deposits have been removed from your fireplace. When you are satisfied with the cleanliness of your fireplace, scrub down any glass doors with an approved glass cleaner for stoves with wood burning.
Aesthetics
Wood fireplaces are stunning and aren't able to be compared with modern propane or gas fireplaces. The rustic look of fireplaces made of wood and the sound of a fire roaring and the cozy feeling they provide have stood the test time. This is a characteristic that a lot of people are looking for when shopping for a fireplace.
While wood-burning fireplaces are great for heat, they also emit harmful gases into your home. Carbon monoxide, smoke and other gases can cause lung damage. While the fireplaces are usually well ventilated, it is essential to have a system in place that can assist in the elimination of these toxins. This is why many people prefer using a zero clearance wood burning fireplace to reduce the amount of harmful gases present in your home.
There are several ways to make your wood fireplace more attractive and unique. You can paint it to be in line with the decor of your living room or use reclaimed wood to give it a more rustic look. You can also include an uphill stone staircase to the fireplace. This will create a functional and fun feature in your home.
You can also change the color of your chimney. A popular choice is black, which looks beautiful and complements the majority of homes. portable wood burning stove is to paint your fireplace in white which opens up the space and creates bright and airy environment. Gray is a popular color that is compatible with a variety of styles and is on trend. Some homeowners even mix beige and gray together, known as greige, to celebrate this 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
Wood burning fireplaces can create serious safety hazards if they are not maintained and operated properly. They release fine particles which can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause lung diseases. They also release harmful air pollutants such as carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds. Wood smoke also contributes to climate change by releasing carbon dioxide and methane.
The flue of a wood stove needs to be cleaned and inspected regularly to ensure it is functioning properly. A clean, functioning flue helps prevent dangerous carbon monoxide leaks and chimney fires.
If the flue liner is degrading the flue liner should be replaced or repaired as soon as possible. Be sure to keep flammable objects, such as curtains, drapes and other objects that ignite, away from the wood stove. Cross-ventilation is an excellent method to circulate warm air throughout the house to ensure that it doesn't end up back up the chimney.
Regularly sweep out the ashes to keep them from blocking airflow and accumulating too deeply. A lot of ash can impede the oxygen supply to logs and reduce the efficiency of combustion, which causes more smoke. The ashes can be kept in a container made of metal or a similar noncombustible container.
Make sure that children are not in the area near the fireplace, particularly when there is glass on the front. If they touch hot surfaces both during and after the fire, they could get burned. The many tools employed to maintain fireplaces including shovels, pokers log lifers, brushes and shovels, can also be dangerous for children to handle. To prevent children from falling into the fire and causing harm, a "safety area" of three feet should be set up around it.
It is also a good idea to install an carbon monoxide detector as well as an alarm in your home, especially when there is wood stove. Carbon monoxide is a hazard when the chimney and wood stove aren't working properly, and is a poison to breathe.
Finally, it is important to be aware of the state, local, and tribal regulations on wood-burning fireplaces. These rules could include rules governing nuisances and odors, "no-burn days" and limits on visible emissions or the opacity of smoke from chimneys. These laws are usually aimed at reducing air pollution and are in place to protect the health of the public.