Maintaining a Wood Burning Fireplace
The sound of a wood-burning fireplace is a fantastic way to warm up your home. If you have one, it is essential to keep it maintained regularly to prevent dangerous creosote build-ups.
Airflow can be controlled with a damper and is a vital part of keeping the combustion efficient. The kind of firewood used can also be a factor in the way that hardwoods such as oak and ash producing less creosote than softwoods.
Energy Efficiency
Wood fireplaces can be a beautiful amenity, creating warm and inviting ambience. However, they aren't efficient in energy use and can result in harmful air pollution if they aren't properly maintained. The quality and condition of your firebox, chimney system, and installation may significantly affect the efficiency of your entire system.
The primary fuel for a traditional wood-burning stove is firewood, which can be purchased in a face or full cord (measured at 4'x8'x8'). Before using firewood, it needs to be "seasoned" to reduce the amount of water and increase its energy density. If the wood is not sufficiently moist it will not burn effectively and may cause a lot of creosote. Seasoning wood generally takes from months to a full year or more, depending on the weather and climate conditions.
Wood burning fireplaces require a significant investment of time and money to keep them properly. In addition to purchasing a huge quantity of firewood, homeowners need to regularly clean and inspect their fireplaces to ensure that the chimney is free from obstructions and that it's functioning properly and that combustible materials aren't stored close to the unit. Regular cleanings and inspections will lower the chance of fireplace and room fires.
Smoke from wood-burning stoves is a source of fine particle pollution which can damage the lungs and cause serious health issues, including lung disease, cardiovascular disease and heart attacks. It also releases toxic air pollutants, including nitrogen oxides as well as volatile organic compounds like benzene, and formaldehyde. Wood smoke is a contributor to the reductions in ozone and greenhouse gases, 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. These stoves also require a suitable size chimney as well as an air flue liner in order to maximize performance. It is crucial to use seasoned wood and to avoid adding accelerants to the fire, such as lighter liquid, gasoline or butane torch. This can cause overheated fire, creating a risky situation. To stop termite infestations, homeowners should also store their firewood in a safe location away from the home.
Cleanliness
Wood-burning fire places are a great alternative to other heating methods. They also create a peaceful atmosphere. They can be used as primary or supplemental heat and could be eligible for tax credits. However, they can be messy and require regular cleaning to prevent soot and creosote buildup. A fireplace that is dirty can cause unpleasant odors and toxins, and can affect the quality of air inside the home.
The most important thing to keep in mind when you are burning a fireplace made of wood is to always make use of dry firewood. Kiln dried firewood aids in reducing creosote buildup and soot. Kiln dried wood is then treated by heating or kiln to eliminate all moisture. It is best only to burn clean well-seasoned wood that has been cut into pieces and stacked for a few months prior to using.
Before lighting a fire, remove the ash from the fireplace's floor and the area around the smoke shelf. Make sure you wait until the ashes are cool completely before throwing them into an aluminum bin. Using a dust pan or whisk broom Also, sweep and dispose of any other stray debris that may have accumulated outside the fireplace.
When cleaning a fireplace, be sure to wear gloves and an apron in order to protect yourself from the dust and soot that will be generated. It is recommended to clear the working space and cover any adjacent furniture with drop cloths in order to protect against staining. You will also want to wear a mask to prevent inhaling any soot or ash particles.
Begin by filling a large 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 the solution well, then use a nylon brush to scrub the walls of your fireplace and the surrounding areas. After scrubbing the walls and surrounding areas of your fireplace, wipe it off with a clean, damp cloth.
Repeat the scrubbing, rinse and wiping until all visible stains are removed from your fireplace. Once you are satisfied with the cleanliness of your fireplace, scrub down any glass doors using a glass cleaner that is safe for stoves with wood burning.
Aesthetics
Wood fireplaces have a beauty that modern propane or gas fireplaces cannot match. The rustic look of wood fireplaces as well as the roar of a fire roaring and the cozy feeling they provide have stood the test time. Many people seek this feature when buying a fireplace.
While wood-burning fireplaces are great for heat but they also release harmful gases into your home. Carbon monoxide, smoke and other gases can cause lung damage. It is crucial to have an effective system that can eliminate these toxins, even if fireplaces are well ventilated. Many people prefer zero clearance designs for wood-burning fireplaces as they reduce the amount harmful gasses that enter their home.
There are many ways to make your fireplace more attractive and distinctive. You can paint it to fit the decor of your living room or use reclaimed wooden to give it an even more rustic look. You can also install an edifice of stone that leads to the fireplace, creating an interesting and practical 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. Another option is to paint your fireplace in white which lets light into the room and creates a bright and airy space. Gray is a popular choice that can be paired with a variety of styles and is currently trending. Some homeowners even 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
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, causing 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's functioning correctly. A clean and functional chimney flue can help keep carbon monoxide from leaking into the air and chimney fires.
If the flue's liner is becoming worn, it should be repaired or replaced immediately. Keep flammable items, such as curtains, drapes and other objects that ignite, away from the wood stove. Cross-ventilation is a great way to move warm air throughout the house to ensure that it doesn't end up back up the chimney.
Regularly sweep out the ashes to avoid them blocking the airflow and becoming too large in size. Too much ash will reduce the oxygen supply to logs, which will reduce the efficiency of combustion and resulting in more smoke. The ashes should be placed in a bucket made of metal or another non-combustible container.
Keep children away from the area around the fireplace, particularly if there is a glass front. Children can be burned when they touch hot surfaces after and during the fire. The various tools used to maintain fireplaces, like shovels, pokers log lifers, brushes and shovels are also dangerous for children to handle. A three-foot "safety zone" must be set up around the fireplace to prevent children coming in contact with it.
woodburner stove is also a good idea to install an carbon monoxide detector and alarm in the home, particularly when there is a wood stove. Carbon monoxide is poisonous and may build up in the wood stove if the chimney are not functioning correctly.
It is also important to be aware of the state, local and tribal regulations for wood-burning fireplaces. These regulations could include rules regarding nuisances and odors, "no-burn days" and limitations on visible emissions, or opacity of smoke coming from chimneys. These laws are typically designed to reduce air pollution and protect the public's health.