Maintaining a Wood Burning Fireplace
Nothing is more welcoming than the sound of a wood burning fireplace. If you have one, it is essential to keep it maintained regularly to avoid dangerous build-ups of creosote.
A damper is a crucial element in maintaining a high quality combustion. Hardwoods such as oak and ash are less likely to produce creosote.
Energy Efficiency
Wood fireplaces can be an attractive feature, creating warm and inviting environment. They aren't energy efficient and can cause harmful pollutant emissions if not maintained properly. The quality and condition 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 or a full cord (measured at 4'x8'x8'). Before burning firewood, it needs to be "seasoned" in order to decrease the amount of water and increase its energy density. If the wood is too wet it will not be able to burn effectively and may cause a lot of creosote. Seasoning wood typically takes months to a year or more, depending on the climate and weather conditions.
Wood burning fireplaces require a significant investment of time and money to maintain them properly. In addition, to purchasing large quantities of firewood, owners must regularly check and clean their fireplace. This is to ensure that the chimney is clear of obstructions, is working properly, and that no combustible material is stored near the unit. Regular inspections and cleaning can reduce the chance of chimney fires as well as room fires.
Smoke from wood-burning stoves has fine particles, which can harm the lungs and cause serious health issues like lung disease, cardiovascular disease and heart attacks. It also releases carbon monoxide as well as other air pollutants that are toxic like volatile organic compounds nitrogen oxides, benzene, and formaldehyde. Wood smoke can contribute to the atmospheric depletion ozone as well as greenhouse gases and other pollutants that can affect the earth's climate.
Efficient EPA-certified wood stoves use secondary combustion to limit the production of harmful emissions when firing. These stoves also require a proper sized chimney and installation of a flue liner to optimize performance. It is important to use wood that is well-seasoned and to avoid adding accelerants to the fire such as lighter liquid, gasoline or butane torch. This could cause a surge of fire, which can lead to a dangerous situation. In addition homeowners should keep their firewood away from the house to avoid termite infestation.
Cleanliness
Wood-burning fireplaces provide a comfortable alternative to other types of heating. They also provide ambiance that creates a relaxing atmosphere. They can be used for primary or supplemental heating and may qualify you for tax credits. However they can be messy and require regular cleaning to prevent creosote and soot buildup. A dirty fireplace can produce unpleasant odors, toxins and can adversely affect the air quality inside the home.
When burning wood in the fireplace, it is essential to use dry firewood. Kiln dried firewood can aid in reducing creosote and buildup. Kiln dried firewood can be treated in a heated oven or kiln, to eliminate all of its moisture content. It is recommended to only use clean and seasoned wood that has been split into pieces and stacked for a few months prior to use.
Before starting a fire, clean up the ash from the floor of the fireplace and around the smoke shelf and grate. Make sure you wait until the ashes have cool completely before you dump them into a metal bin. Make use of a whisk or a dustpan brush to sweep and dispose of any other stray materials that have accumulated outside of the fire.
When cleaning a fireplace, make sure to wear gloves and an apron to protect yourself from the dust and soot that is produced. It is important to clear a work space and cover any adjacent furniture with drop cloths to protect against staining. Wear a mask to ensure you don't breathe in any ash or particles of soot.
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 and then dip a nylon brush into the solution and scrub the walls and areas of your fireplace. After scrubbing, use clean, damp cloth to wipe and wash the cleaning solution off.
Repeat the scrubbing, washing and wiping until all visible deposits are removed from your fireplace. Once you're satisfied with the cleanliness, employ glass cleaner that's safe for wood-burning stoves to clean any glass doors.
Aesthetics
Wood fireplaces are beautiful and cannot be compared to modern gas or propane fireplaces. Their rustic look, crackling sound of a burning flame and their warm feel create an ambience that has stood the test of time. This is a feature that a lot of people are looking for when they are looking for a fireplace.
While wood-burning fireplaces are great for heat however, they also release harmful gases into your home. Smoke, carbon monoxide and other gases can damage your lungs. Although fireplaces are generally well-ventilated, it's important to have a system in place that can aid in eliminating these harmful substances. This is why a lot of 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 fireplace more appealing and unique. You can choose to use recycled wood to give it a more rustic feel, or you can choose to paint it to complement the decor of your living room. You can also build an uphill stone staircase to the fireplace. This will make a functional and fun feature in your home.
You can also change the color of your chimney. Black is a popular choice as it looks stunning and is compatible with most homes. Alternatively, you can paint your fireplace in white which opens up the room and creates a bright and airy environment. Gray is a popular choice that is compatible with a variety of styles and is currently trending. Some homeowners even mix beige and gray together and call it 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
If not maintained and operated properly Wood burning fireplaces that are not properly maintained and operated can pose serious dangers to safety. They release smoke, which is a fine particle of pollution that can get into the lungs and cause lung diseases and other health problems. They also release dangerous air pollutants like carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides and benzene. Wood smoke contributes to climate changes by release of carbon dioxide and methane.
The flue of a wood stove should be regularly inspected and cleaned to ensure that it is functioning properly. used wood burning stoves for sale , well-functioning flue will help to prevent dangerous carbon monoxide leaks and chimney fires.
If the flue liner is getting worn out it is recommended to replace it or repaired as soon as possible. wood burning stove for garage is also crucial to keep any combustible material away from the wood stove, such as drapes, curtains and other flammable items. Cross-ventilation is a great way to circulate warm air around the home to ensure that it doesn't end up back up the chimney.
Make sure to regularly clean out the ashes to avoid them blocking airflow and becoming too large in size. The accumulation of ash will decrease the oxygen supply to logs, reducing combustion efficiency and resulting in more smoke. The ashes can be stored in a metal container or in a non-combustible container.
Keep children away from the area around the fireplace, particularly in the case of a glass front. There is a risk of burns by touching the hot surfaces during and after the fire. The various tools employed to maintain fireplaces, like shovels, pokers, log lifers and brushes can be hazardous for children to handle. To stop children from falling into the fire it is recommended that a "safety area" of three feet must 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 in the case of a wood stove. Carbon monoxide can build up when the chimney and wood stove aren't functioning correctly, and it is poisonous to breathe.
Finally, it is important to verify state, local and tribal regulations for wood-burning fireplaces. These rules could include rules for odors and nuisances, "no-burn days" and restrictions on visible emissions, or opacity of smoke coming from chimneys. These laws are typically focused on reducing pollution in the air and are in place to protect the health of the public.