Maintaining a Wood Burning Fireplace
The sound of a fireplace that is wood-burning is a wonderful way to warm up the interior of a house. It is important to keep your fireplace in good condition to avoid the risk of creosote buildup.
The airflow can be controlled by a damper, and this is a crucial element of maintaining efficient combustion. Hardwoods such as oak and ash produce less creosote.
Energy Efficiency
Wood fireplaces can be an attractive design, generating warm and inviting environment. They aren't efficient in terms of energy and could cause air pollution if they are not maintained properly. The type of wood used, the quality and condition of the firebox, the chimney installation and chimney can significantly affect the efficiency of the appliance.
The primary fuel source for a wood-burning stove. It is usually purchased in face cords or full cords (measured as 4'x8"x8") Before burning firewood, it needs to be "seasoned" to reduce the amount of water in it and increase its energy density. If the wood is wet it will not burn as efficiently and will create a lot creosote. The process of preparing wood for seasoning can take months or even a full year, depending on weather and the climate.
A wood burning fireplace requires a significant investment in both time and money to keep it running properly. In stove wood burning to purchasing a huge quantity of firewood, homeowners must regularly clean and inspect their fireplace to ensure the chimney is free from obstructions and that it's working properly, and that combustible materials aren't stored close to the fireplace. Regular cleaning and inspections can help reduce the risk of fires in chimneys and room fires.
Smoke from wood-burning stoves is a source of fine particle pollution which can cause lung damage and cause serious health problems including lung disease, heart attacks and cardiovascular disease. It also releases airborne toxic pollutants, including nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, benzene and more. Wood smoke is a contributor to the reductions in greenhouse gases and ozone, which can harm the earth's climate.
Efficiency EPA certified wood stoves utilize an additional combustion process to minimize harmful emissions during the firing. To maximize performance they require a properly sized chimney as well as installation of a flue lined. It is also crucial to purchase seasoned firewood, and resist the temptation to add accelerants such as gasoline, lighter fluid or butane torch to the flame as they can add fuel to the fire and cause a risky situation. To stop termite infestations homeowners should also store their firewood away from their home.
Cleanliness
Wood-burning fire places are an excellent alternative to other heating methods. They also create a relaxing ambience. They can be used for primary or supplemental heating, and could qualify 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 cause unpleasant odors, toxins and can negatively affect air quality in the home.
The most important thing to keep in mind when you are burning a fireplace made of wood is to use dry firewood. Kiln dried firewood can help reduce creosote accumulation and soot. Kiln dried firewood is treated in a heated oven or kiln to remove all of its moisture content. stove wood burning is recommended to only burn clean, seasoned (burned) wood that has been sliced and placed in a stack for a couple of months prior to use.
Before lighting a fire remove the ash from the floor of the fireplace and the area around the smoke shelf. Make sure that the ashes are completely cool before placing them in a metal waste bin for disposal. Using an empty pan or a whisk broom, also sweep and dump any other debris that has accumulated outside the fireplace.
Wear gloves and an apron when cleaning a fireplace in order to protect yourself from dirt, soot and dust that are created. It is important to clear a work space and cover any adjacent furniture with drop cloths to guard against staining. You should also wear a dust mask to prevent inhaling any ash or soot particles.
Fill a large bucket up with warm water. Add 3.8 teaspoons of trisodium (TSP), one cup of bleach and two tablespoons of household ammonia. Mix well and then dip a nylon brush into the solution and scrub the walls and surrounding areas of your fireplace. After scrubbing, use a dry, clean cloth to clean and rinse the cleaning solution off.
Repeat the scrubbing and wiping procedure until all visible deposits are removed from your fireplace. Once you are satisfied with the cleanliness of your fireplace, clean down any glass doors with a glass cleaner safe for wood burning stoves.
Aesthetics
Wood fireplaces have a beauty that modern propane or gas fire places can't match. Their rustic look, the crackling sounds of a roaring fire and their warm feel provide a warm and inviting ambience that has stood the test of time. This is a feature that a lot of people are looking for when looking for a fireplace.
Wood-burning fireplaces can be ideal to heat your home, but they also emit dangerous gasses. These include carbon monoxide and smoke that can harm your lungs. While fireplaces are typically well ventilated, it is essential to have an effective system in place that can help get rid of these harmful substances. This is why a lot of people prefer a zero clearance wood burning fireplace to reduce the amount of harmful gases in your home.
There are a variety of ways to design your fireplace to create a unique attractive. You can paint it to match the decor of your living room or use reclaimed wooden to give it an even more rustic appearance. You can also install an outdoor stone staircase that leads to the fireplace, creating an interesting and practical feature in your home.
You can also alter the color of your chimney. The most popular color is black, which is beautiful and matches most homes. You can also paint your fireplace white to let the space breathe and create a bright airy ambience. Gray is a different option that is compatible with a variety of styles and is a contemporary trend. Some homeowners mix grey and beige together, also referred to 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 lead to serious safety hazards if they are not maintained and operated properly. They emit fine particle pollution that can get into the lungs and trigger lung diseases. They also release dangerous air pollutants like carbon monoxide volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, and benzene. Wood smoke is also a contributor to climate change through the release of carbon dioxide and methane.
The flue in a wood stove must be cleaned and inspected regularly to ensure it is functioning properly. A clean, functioning flue will help to keep carbon monoxide leaks from becoming dangerous and chimney fires.
If the flue liner is degrading, it should be replaced or repaired as soon as possible. Keep flammable materials, such as curtains, drapes, and other flammable objects away from the wood stove. It is a good idea to install cross-ventilation, which assists in moving warm air throughout the house so that it doesn't rush back up the chimney.
Regularly sweep out the ashes to keep them from blocking airflow and becoming too large in size. Too much ash will reduce the oxygen supply for logs, reducing combustion efficiency and leading to more smoke. The ashes can be kept in a metal container or another noncombustible container.
Children should be kept away from the area around the fireplace, especially if it has glass front. If they touch hot surfaces both during and after the fire, they may get burned. In addition, the many different tools employed to maintain a fireplace, like log lifers, pokers and shovels can be unsafe for children to handle. To ensure that children do not falling into the fire and causing harm, it is recommended that a "safety area" of three feet must be constructed around it.
Installing an alarm for carbon monoxide and detector in your home is also a great idea particularly if you own wood stove. Carbon monoxide is poisonous and may be a problem if the wood stove and chimney are not functioning correctly.
It is also important to check state, local and tribal regulations for wood-burning fireplaces. These rules could include rules governing odors and nuisances, "no-burn days" and restrictions on visible emissions or opacity of smoke from chimneys. These laws are usually designed to reduce air pollution and are put in place to protect public health.