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Maintaining a Wood Burning Fireplace Nothing warms a house like the sound of a wood-burning fireplace. It is crucial to keep your fireplace clean to prevent the build-up of dangerous creosote. Airflow can be controlled with a damper and is a crucial element of keeping the combustion efficient. log burning stoves for sale of firewood used can affect the outcome, with hardwoods like oak and ash producing less creosote than softwoods. Energy Efficiency Wood fireplaces can be a beautiful feature, creating an inviting and warm ambience. However, they are not efficient in terms of energy efficiency and can cause polluting air if they are not properly maintained. The quality and condition of your firebox, chimney system, and installation may significantly affect the efficiency of your entire system. The main fuel used in a traditional wood burning stove is firewood, which is typically purchased in a face or full cord (measured at 4'x8'x8'). It is essential to “seasoned” to reduce its water content and increase its energy density before use. If the wood is wet, it won't burn efficiently and will produce a lot of creosote. Seasoning wood can last for months or even a full year, depending on weather and the conditions of the climate. A fireplace that burns wood requires a significant investment both in time and money to keep it running properly. In addition to purchasing a huge quantity of firewood, homeowners should regularly clean and inspect their fireplaces to ensure that the chimney is free from obstructions and functioning properly and that any combustible material is not stored close to the unit. Regular cleaning and inspections will reduce the risk of chimney fires as well as room fires. Smoke from a wood-burning fireplace is a source of fine particle pollution which can cause lung damage and lead to serious health problems including lung disease, heart attacks and cardiovascular disease. It also releases carbon monoxide as well as other air pollutants that are toxic including volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, benzene and formaldehyde. Wood smoke may contribute to the depletion of oxygen in the atmosphere, greenhouse gases and other pollutants that alter the climate of the earth. Wood stoves that are EPA-certified efficient use a secondary combustion process to reduce the generation of harmful emissions during firing. To maximize performance, these stoves require a properly sized chimney, as well as the installation of a flue lining. It is also important to buy firewood that is seasoned and resist the temptation to add accelerants such as lighter fluid, gasoline or butane torch to the fire, as they can add fuel to the fire and cause a risky situation. Additionally, homeowners should store their firewood away from the home to prevent termite infestation. Cleanliness Wood-burning fireplaces provide a comfortable alternative to other types of heating. They also create a warm and inviting atmosphere that creates a relaxing ambience. They can be used as primary or supplemental heating, and could qualify for tax credits. They can be messy, and require regular cleaning in order to avoid soot and creosote buildup. A fireplace that is dirty can cause unpleasant odors and toxins and can negatively affect air quality within the home. When burning wood in a fireplace, it is crucial to use only dry firewood. Kiln dried firewood can aid in reducing creosote and buildup. Kiln dried wood is processed in a kiln or oven to eliminate all moisture. It is recommended to only burn clean, seasoned (burned) wood that has been sliced and stacked for a few months prior to using. Before lighting a flame, remove ash from the floor of the fireplace as well as the area around the smoke shelf. Make sure that the ashes are cool before scooping them into an aluminum waste bin for disposal. Make use of a whisk or a dustpan broom to sweep away any other stray materials that have accumulated outside of the fire. When cleaning a fireplace, be sure to wear gloves and an apron to protect yourself from the dirt and soot that will be generated. You should clear a working space and cover any adjacent furniture with drop cloths to guard against staining. Wear a mask to ensure that you don't breathe in 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, then use a nylon brush scrub the walls of your fireplace and the surrounding areas. After you have scrubbed the walls and the areas around your fireplace, wipe it off with a damp, clean cloth. Repeat the scrubbing and wiping process until all visible deposits have been removed from your fireplace. When you're satisfied with the cleanness you can make use of a glass cleaner that is safe for wood-burning stoves to clean any glass doors. Aesthetics Wood fireplaces have a beauty that modern propane or gas fire places cannot rival. Their rustic look, crackling sounds of a burning fire and their cozy feel create a cozy atmosphere that has stood the test of time. Many people seek this feature when purchasing a fireplace. While wood-burning fireplaces are great for heating however, they also release harmful gases into your home. These include carbon monoxide as well as smoke that can harm your lungs. It is essential to have an effective system that can remove these toxins, even though fireplaces are well ventilated. This is why many people prefer a zero clearance wood burning fireplace design which helps to lower the amount of harmful gases in your home. There are several ways to make your fireplace more attractive and unique. You can choose to use reclaimed wood to give it a more rustic feel or you could opt to paint it to fit with the decor of your living space. You can also build an uphill stone staircase to your fireplace. This will make an interesting and enjoyable feature in your home. You can also alter your chimney's color. The most popular option is black, which looks beautiful and matches most homes. Another option is to paint your fireplace white which opens up the space and creates light and airy atmosphere. Gray is a popular choice that goes with many styles and is trendy. Some homeowners mix grey and beige together, which is also known as greige, to show 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. Safety If not maintained and operated properly Wood burning fireplaces that are not properly maintained and operated can pose serious dangers to safety. They emit smoke, which contains fine particle pollution that can penetrate deeply into the lungs to cause lung ailments and other health issues. They also release dangerous air pollutants such as carbon monoxide volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides and benzene. Wood smoke contributes to climate change by emitting carbon dioxide and methane. The flue in a wood stove must be cleaned and inspected regularly to ensure it is working as it should. A clean and well-functioning chimney flue can help keep carbon monoxide from leaking into the air and chimney fires. If the flue's is showing signs of wear, it must be repaired or replaced immediately. It is also crucial to keep all combustible items away from the wood stove, including drapes, curtains and other items that are flammable. It is recommended to install cross-ventilation, which allows warm indoor air throughout the house to ensure that it doesn't flow back up the chimney. Regularly sweep out the ashes to keep them from blocking airflow and becoming too large in size. A lot of ash can reduce the oxygen supply to logs, reducing combustion efficiency and resulting in more smoke. The ashes can be kept in a container made of metal or in a non-combustible container. Make sure that children are not in the area near the fireplace, particularly in the case of glass on the front. They can get burns when they touch hot surfaces while they are in an fire. The many tools employed to maintain fireplaces, including shovels, pokers, log lifers and brushes are also dangerous for children to handle. A three-foot “safety zone” must be set up around the fireplace to avoid children accidentally coming into contact with it. It is also a good idea to install a carbon monoxide detector and alarm in the home, especially in the case of a wood stove. Carbon monoxide is poisonous and may be a problem if the wood stove and chimney are not working correctly. It is also important to be aware of the state, local and tribal regulations for wood-burning fireplaces. These regulations could include rules governing odors and nuisances, “no-burn days” and limits on visible emissions or opacity of smoke coming from chimneys. These laws are typically designed to reduce pollution in the air and are in place to protect public health.