Maintaining a Wood Burning Fireplace
The sound of a fireplace that is wood-burning is a fantastic way to warm up your home. If you have one, it is vital to maintain it regularly to prevent dangerous build-ups of creosote.
Airflow can be controlled with dampers which is a vital part of maintaining a high-quality combustion. Hardwoods like oak and ash produce less creosote.
Energy Efficiency
Wood fireplaces are a stunning design that creates a cozy ambience and also heat. They are not energy-efficient and can cause harmful pollutant emissions if not maintained in a timely manner. The condition and quality of your firebox, chimney system, and installation can be a major factor in the overall efficiency.
The main fuel source for a traditional wood burning stove is firewood, which is usually purchased in a face cord or a full cord (measured at 4'x8'x8'). It is essential to "seasoned" to reduce the water content and increase the energy density prior to its use. If the wood is too wet it will not burn as efficiently and could cause many creosote. Seasoning wood can last for months or even a whole year, depending on weather and the conditions of the climate.
A fireplace that burns wood requires a significant investment both in money and time to maintain it properly. In addition, to purchasing a large amount of firewood, owners should regularly clean and inspect their fireplace. This is to ensure that the chimney is free of obstructions, operates properly, and that no combustible material is stored close to the fireplace. Regular cleanings and inspections will help to reduce the risk of fireplace and room fires.
Smoke from a wood-burning fireplace has fine particles, which can damage the lungs and cause serious health issues, including lung disease, cardiovascular disease and heart attacks. It also releases carbon monoxide as well as other toxic air pollutants, such as volatile organic compounds such as nitrogen oxides, benzene, and formaldehyde. Wood smoke may contribute to the depletion of oxygen in the atmosphere and greenhouse gases, as well as other pollutants that can influence the earth's climate.
Efficient EPA-certified wood stoves use an additional combustion process to reduce the generation of harmful emissions during firing. These stoves also require a proper size chimney as well as flue liner to maximize performance. It is also important to buy firewood that is seasoned and beware of the temptation to add accelerants such as lighter fluid, gasoline or butane torch to the fire, as it can cause fire to become too hot and cause a risky situation. To stop termite infestations, homeowners should also store their firewood in a safe location away from the home.
Cleanliness
Wood-burning fireplaces offer a cozy alternative to other forms of heating and offer ambiance that can create a soothing atmosphere. They can be used as primary or supplemental heating, and can be eligible for tax credits. They can be messy, and require regular cleaning to avoid soot and creosote buildup. A fireplace that is dirty can cause unpleasant odors, toxins and can negatively affect air quality within the home.
The most important thing to remember when using a fireplace made of wood is to always make use of dry firewood. Using kiln dried firewood will help reduce creosote and soot buildup. Kiln dried firewood is processed in a heated oven or kiln to remove all of its moisture content. It is also a good idea to only burn clean well-seasoned (burned) wood that is split and stacked for a few months prior to using.
Before starting a fire, remove ash from the fireplace floor and around the smoke shelf and grate. Make sure that the ashes are completely cool prior to scooping them into the metal waste bin to dispose of. Using a dust pan or whisk broom as well as sweeping and dumping any other stray debris that has accumulated around the fireplace.
When cleaning a fireplace, make sure to wear gloves and an apron in order to protect yourself from the dust and soot that will be generated. To safeguard your furniture from stains, clean the area thoroughly and cover it with drop cloths. Wear a dust mask to ensure that you don't breathe in ash or particles of soot.
Start by filling a large bucket with one gallon of warm water. Add 3.8 teaspoons of trisodium (TSP) and one cup of bleach and two tablespoons of ammonia from your household. Mix the solution well, then use a nylon brush scrub the fireplace's walls and the surrounding areas. After scrubbing, use a dry, clean cloth to wipe and rinse the cleaning solution off.
Repeat the scrubbing, rinsing and wiping until all visible stains are cleared from your fireplace. When you're satisfied with the cleanliness then use glass cleaner that's safe for wood-burning stoves to clean the glass doors.
Aesthetics
Wood fireplaces are beautiful that modern gas or propane fire places can't match. Their rustic appearance, the crackling sound of a roaring fire and their warm feel provide a warm and inviting ambience that has stood the test of time. Many people look for this feature when buying a fireplace.
While wood-burning fireplaces are great for heating but they also release harmful gases into your home. Carbon monoxide, smoke and other gases can cause lung damage. It is important to have an effective system to eliminate these toxins, even if fireplaces are well ventilated. This is why a lot of people prefer using a zero clearance wood burning fireplace which helps to lower the amount of harmful gases present in your home.
There are many ways to make your wood fireplace look more appealing and distinctive. You can paint it to fit the style of your living room or use reclaimed wood to give it a more rustic appearance. You can also add a stone staircase that leads to the fireplace, which creates an interesting and practical feature in your home.
You can also change the color of your chimney. Black is a popular choice because it looks great and goes with the majority of homes. You can also paint your fireplace white to let the space breathe and create a fresh airy ambience. Gray is a popular option that can be paired with a variety of styles and is on trend. Some homeowners mix beige and grey together, also known as greige to celebrate this 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.
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If not maintained and operated correctly, wood burning fireplaces can be a serious risk to safety. They release smoke that has fine particles of pollutants that can be absorbed into the lungs and cause lung illnesses and other health issues. They also release harmful air pollutants such as carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds. Wood smoke is a major contributor to climate change by release of carbon dioxide and methane.
A wood stove's flue should be regularly inspected and cleaned to ensure that it is working as it should. A clean and functional chimney flue can prevent dangerous carbon monoxide leaking and chimney fires.
If the flue lining is deteriorating it should be replaced or repaired as soon as it becomes apparent. It is also crucial to keep combustible materials away from the wood stove, including drapes, curtains and other flammable objects. Cross-ventilation is a fantastic method to circulate warm air around the house so it doesn't go back up the chimney.
Clean up the ashes regularly to prevent them from blocking the airflow and accumulating too deeply. A lot of ash can reduce the oxygen supply for logs, which will reduce the efficiency of combustion and leading to more smoke. The ashes can be stored in a metal container or another noncombustible container.
Make sure that children are not in the area near the fireplace, particularly if there is a glass front. Children can be burned if they touch the hot surfaces while they are in the fire. In addition, the different tools used to maintain a fireplace such as brushes, pokers, log lifers and shovels, are dangerous for kids to handle. To ensure that children do not accidentally contacting the fireplace and causing harm, it is recommended that a "safety area" of three feet should be created around it.
It is an excellent idea to install an carbon monoxide detector and alarm in the home, particularly if there is a wood stove. Carbon monoxide can build up when the chimney and wood stove are not functioning correctly, and it is poisonous to breathe.
In addition, it is essential to check the state, local and tribal regulations regarding wood burning fireplaces. These may include odor or nuisance rules, "no-burn" days and visible emissions/opacity limits for the smoke that is emitted from chimneys of homeowners. These laws are typically focused on reducing air pollution and are put in place to protect the health of the public.