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Maintaining a Wood Burning Fireplace Nothing is more welcoming than the roar of a wood burning fireplace. It is essential to keep your fireplace clean to avoid dangerous creosote buildup. The airflow can be controlled by a damper, and this is a vital part of maintaining a high-quality combustion. The type of firewood used can also make a difference, with hardwoods like oak and ash producing less creosote than softwoods. Energy Efficiency Wood fireplaces can be an attractive design, generating an inviting and warm environment. However, they are not energy efficient and can create harmful air pollution if not properly maintained. The condition and the quality of your chimney, firebox system, and installation could have a significant impact on the overall efficiency. 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 using firewood, it should be “seasoned” in order to decrease the amount of water and increase its energy density. If the wood is not sufficiently moist, it will not burn as efficiently and could cause lots of creosote. Seasoning wood generally takes from months to a year or more, based on the climate and weather conditions. A fireplace with wood-burning capability requires a significant investment both in money and time to maintain it in a proper manner. In addition to purchasing a huge amount of firewood, homeowners need to regularly clean and examine their fireplace to ensure the chimney is free from obstructions and functioning properly and that combustible materials aren't stored in close proximity to the unit. Regular cleaning and inspections lower the chance of room and chimney fires. The smoke from a wood-burning fireplace contains fine particles that can cause lung damage and serious health issues including heart attacks, cardiovascular diseases and lung disease. It also releases harmful air pollutants, including nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde and benzene. Wood smoke may contribute to the depletion of oxygen in the atmosphere as well as greenhouse gases and other pollutants that influence the earth's climate. Effective EPA-certified wood stoves employ secondary combustion to minimize the production of harmful emissions when firing. To optimize performance, these stoves require an appropriately sized chimney as well as the installation of a flue lining. It is important to use seasoned wood and to avoid adding accelerants to the flame such as gasoline, lighter liquid or butane torch. This can overload the fire, creating a risky situation. To prevent termite invasion, homeowners should also store their firewood in a safe location away from the home. Cleanliness Wood-burning fireplaces provide a comfortable alternative to other types of heating. They also provide ambiance that creates a relaxing ambience. They can be used as primary or additional heating and can be eligible for tax credits. However they can be messy and require regular cleaning to prevent creosote and soot accumulation. A dirty fireplace can emit toxins and unpleasant odors which can negatively impact the air quality inside your home. The most important thing to remember when using a wood fireplace is to always make use of dry firewood. Kiln dried firewood can help reduce creosote and soot buildup. Kiln dried wood is processed in an oven or kiln to remove all moisture. It is a good idea to only use clean, seasoned wood that has been cut up and stacked for several months prior to use. Before lighting a fire, remove the ash from the floor of the fireplace as well as the area around the smoke shelf. Make sure you wait until the ashes have cooled completely before throwing them into an aluminum bin. Make use of a brush or a Broom to sweep and dispose of any other debris that may have accumulated outside the fire. 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. You should clear a working space and cover any adjacent furniture with drop cloths in order to protect against staining. You will also want to wear a dust mask in order to avoid inhaling any soot or ash particles. Fill a large bucket up with warm water. Add 3.8 tablespoons of trisodiumphosphate (TSP) 1 cup of bleach and 2 tablespoons of household ammonia. Mix the solution well, and then use a nylon brush scrub the walls of your fireplace and the surrounding areas. After scrubbing, use clean damp cloth to clean and wash the cleaning solution off. Repeat the scrubbing, rinsing and wiping until all visible stains are removed from your fireplace. Once you are satisfied with the cleanliness of your fireplace, wipe down any glass doors with a glass cleaner safe for stoves that burn wood. Aesthetics Wood fireplaces have a beauty that modern propane or gas fire places cannot rival. The rustic look of wood fireplaces and the sound of a fire burning and the cozy feeling they provide have stood the test time. Many people search for this feature when buying fireplaces. While wood-burning fireplaces are great for heating however, they also release harmful gases into your home. These include carbon monoxide and smoke that can harm your lungs. It is important to have a system to eliminate these toxins, even though fireplaces are well ventilated. This is why a lot of people prefer using a zero clearance wood burning fireplace, as it helps reduce the amount of harmful gases present in your home. There are a variety of ways to make your wood fireplace more attractive and unique. You can make use of recycled wood to give it a more rustic feel or opt to paint it to fit with the decor of your living space. You can also add an outdoor stone staircase that leads up to the fireplace, creating an exciting and functional element in your home. You can also alter the color of your chimney. A popular choice is black, which looks beautiful and matches most homes. You can also paint your fireplace white to open up the space and create a fresh, airy atmosphere. Gray is a different option that works well with a variety of styles and is a modern trend. Some homeowners even mix gray and beige together and call it greige to highlight this versatility and aesthetic. wood burners near me 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 issues if not maintained and operated properly. They release smoke that has fine particles of pollution that can get into the lungs to cause lung diseases and other health problems. They also release hazardous air pollutants, including carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds. nitrogen oxides and benzene. Wood smoke is a major contributor to climate change by releasing methane and carbon dioxide. A wood stove's flue should be regularly inspected and cleaned to ensure it is working as it should. A clean and well-functioning chimney flue can keep carbon monoxide from leaking into the air and chimney fires. If the flue's liner is becoming worn, it should be replaced or repaired as soon as it becomes apparent. Keep flammable materials, such as drapes, curtains and other items that are flammable, away from the wood stove. It is recommended to set up cross-ventilation which assists in moving warm indoor air throughout the home so that it doesn't rush back up the chimney. Ashes should be swept out from the fireplace on a regular basis to keep them from accumulating too deeply and obstructing air flow. Too much ash can restrict the flow of oxygen to the logs and decrease the efficiency of combustion, which creates more smoke. The ashes can be kept in a metal container or a similar noncombustible container. Children should be kept out from the fireplace area particularly when it has a glass front. If they touch hot surfaces, both during and after the fire, they can get burned. In addition, the many different tools employed to maintain a fireplace, like pokers, log lifers, and shovels, can be dangerous for kids 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 be constructed around it. Installing an alarm for carbon monoxide and detector in your home is a good idea too especially if you have wood stove. Carbon monoxide is poisonous and can accumulate if the wood stove and chimney aren't functioning correctly. It is also important to check the state, local and tribal regulations regarding wood-burning fireplaces. These regulations could include rules for odors and nuisances, “no-burn days” and limits on visible emissions or the opacity of smoke coming from chimneys. These laws are usually designed to reduce air pollution and protect the public's health.