Maintaining a Wood Burning Fireplace
The sound of a fireplace that is wood-burning is a great way to warm a home. It is important to keep your fireplace clean to avoid the risk of creosote buildup.
A damper is an important component of maintaining a healthy combustion. Hardwoods like oak and ash create less creosote.
Energy Efficiency
Wood fireplaces are a stunning design that creates a cozy ambiance and provides warmth. However, they are not energy efficient and can create harmful air pollution if not properly maintained. The kind of wood used, the quality and condition of the firebox, chimney system and installation can significantly affect the overall efficiency of the unit.
The primary fuel source for wood-burning stoves. It is typically bought in face cords or full cords (measured as 4'x8"x8") Before burning firewood, it should be "seasoned", to reduce the amount of water and increase its energy density. If the wood is wet it won't burn effectively and will result in a lot of creosote. Seasoning wood generally takes from months to a full year or more, depending on the climate and weather conditions.
Wood burning fireplaces demand a significant investment of time and money to keep them correctly. In addition to buying an enormous amount of firewood, homeowners must regularly check and clean their fireplace. This is to ensure that the chimney is clear of obstructions, operates correctly, and that no combustible material is stored near the unit. Regular cleaning and inspections help reduce the risk for fireplace and room fires.
The smoke that comes from a wood-burning fire place has fine particles that could cause lung damage and serious health problems, including heart attacks, cardiovascular diseases and lung diseases. It also releases toxic air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde and benzene. Wood smoke is a contributor to the destruction of greenhouse gases and ozone, which can impact the climate of the earth.
Effective EPA-certified wood stoves employ an additional combustion process to minimize the production of harmful emissions during firing. These stoves also require a proper sized chimney and installation of a flue liner to optimize performance. It is essential to use seasoned wood and to avoid adding accelerants to the fire such as gasoline, lighter liquid or butane torch. This can overload the fire, creating a risky situation. To avoid termite infestation homeowners should also store their firewood far away from their home.
Cleanliness
Wood-burning fire places are a fantastic alternative to other heating methods. They also create a relaxing ambience. They can be used as primary or additional heating and can be eligible for tax credits. They can be messy, and require regular cleaning in order to prevent soot and creosote buildup. A fireplace that is not cleaned can release harmful odors and toxic substances that can impact the quality of air in your home.
When burning wood in an open fireplace, it's important to use only dry firewood. Kiln dried firewood can help reduce creosote accumulation and soot. Kiln dried wood is processed in an oven or kiln to remove all moisture. It is also a good idea to only burn clean and seasoned (burned) wood that is split and stacked for a few months prior to use.
Before you start a fire remove ash from the floor of the fireplace and around the grate and smoke shelf. Be sure to wait until the ashes have cool completely before throwing them into a metal bin. Make use of a brush or a broom to sweep away any other debris that may have accumulated outside the flame.
Wear gloves and an apron when cleaning a fireplace to shield yourself from dust, soot and dirt that are created. It is important to clear a work space and cover any adjacent furniture with drop cloths to guard against staining. You will also want to wear a dust mask to prevent inhaling any soot or ash particles.
Fill a large bucket up with warm water. Add 3.8 teaspoons of trisodium (TSP), one cup of bleach and two tablespoons of ammonia from your household. Mix well, then dip a nylon toothbrush into the solution and scrub the walls and other areas of your fireplace. After scrubbing the walls as well as surrounding areas of your fireplace, wipe it off with an aqueous, damp cloth.
Repeat the scrubbing, rinse and wiping until all visible deposits are eliminated from your fireplace. When you're satisfied with the cleanness you can use glass cleaner that's safe for wood-burning stoves to clean any glass doors.
Aesthetics
Wood fireplaces are stunning and aren't able to be compared with modern gas or propane fireplaces. The rustic appearance of wood fireplaces, the crackling sound of a burning fire and the cozy feeling they create have stood the test time. This is one feature that a lot of people are looking for when they are looking for fireplaces.
Wood-burning fireplaces are great to heat your home, but they also emit harmful gasses. Carbon monoxide, smoke and other gases can harm your lungs. Although fireplaces are generally well-ventilated, it is important to have an effective system in place to aid in eliminating these harmful substances. Many prefer a zero clearance design for fireplaces that burn wood, because they can reduce the amount of harmful gases in their home.
There are a variety of ways to design your wood fireplace to create a unique attractive. You can use recycled wood to give it a rustic look or you could opt to paint it to complement the decor of your living room. You can also build an uphill stone staircase that is connected to the fireplace. This will make a functional and fun feature for your home.
You can also change 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 open up the space and create a bright airy ambience. Gray is a popular color that can be paired with a variety of styles and is on trend. Some homeowners blend grey and beige together, also known as greige to celebrate the aesthetic and flexibility.
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 concerns if they're not maintained and operated properly. They release smoke that is a fine particle of pollution that can penetrate deeply into the lungs to cause lung diseases and other health problems. They also release harmful air pollutants such as carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds. nitrogen oxides, and benzene. Wood smoke is also a contributor to climate change by releasing carbon dioxide and methane.
The flue of a wood stove needs to be regularly cleaned and inspected to ensure it is functioning correctly. A clean and well-functioning chimney flue can help stop dangerous carbon monoxide leaks and chimney fires.
If the flue liner is deteriorating, it should be replaced or repaired right away. Keep flammable items like drapes, curtains and other objects that ignite away from the wood stove. contemporary wood burning stoves is a good idea to set up cross-ventilation, which allows warm air throughout the house so that it doesn't rush back up the chimney.
Ashes should be swept out of the fireplace frequently to keep them from accumulating too deep and blocking the air flow. The accumulation of ash will decrease the oxygen supply to logs, which can reduce the efficiency of combustion and leading to more smoke. The ashes can be kept in a metal container or a similar noncombustible container.
Children should be kept away from the area around the fireplace especially if it has an open glass front. If they touch hot surfaces, both during and after the fire, they could get burned. In addition, the different tools employed to maintain a fireplace, such as 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.
Installing a carbon monoxide alarm as well as detector in your home is also a great idea particularly if you own a wood stove. Carbon monoxide can be poisonous and accumulate when the wood stove and chimney aren't functioning properly.
It is also important to verify the state, local, and tribal regulations regarding wood burning fireplaces. These regulations may include rules governing odors and nuisances, "no-burn days" and restrictions on visible emissions, or opacity of smoke coming from chimneys. These laws are often aimed at reducing pollution in the air and are in place to safeguard public health.