20 Fun Details About Wood Burning Fireplace
Maintaining a Wood Burning Fireplace
The crackle of a wood-burning fireplace is a wonderful way to warm up a home. If you have one, it's vital to maintain it regularly to prevent dangerous creosote build-ups.
A damper is a crucial component of maintaining a healthy combustion. Hardwoods like oak and ash produce less creosote.
Energy Efficiency
Wood fireplaces can be a beautiful amenity, creating warm and inviting environment. They are not energy-efficient and could cause air pollution if they are not maintained correctly. The quality and condition of your firebox, chimney system, and installation can significantly affect the overall efficiency.
The primary fuel for a traditional wood-burning stove is firewood, which can be purchased in a face or full cord (measured at 4'x8'x8'). Before using firewood, it must be "seasoned" in order to decrease its water content and increase its energy density. If the wood is not sufficiently moist it will not be able to burn as efficiently and could cause a lot of creosote. The process of preparing wood for seasoning can take anywhere from months to a full year or more, based on the weather and the climate.
A fireplace with wood-burning capability requires a substantial investment in both time and money to maintain it in a proper manner. In addition to purchasing large quantities of firewood, owners must regularly inspect and clean their fireplace. indoor wood burning stove is to ensure that the chimney is clear of obstructions, is working well, and that there is there is no combustible material near the unit. Regular inspections and cleanings will help to reduce the risk of fireplace and room fires.
The smoke that comes from a wood-burning fireplace is a source of fine particles that can cause lung damage and serious health issues such as heart attacks, cardiovascular disease and lung disease. It also releases carbon monoxide as well as other air pollutants that are toxic like volatile organic compounds such as nitrogen oxides, benzene and formaldehyde. Wood smoke may contribute to the depletion of ozone in the atmosphere, greenhouse gases and other pollutants that can affect the earth's climate.
Effective EPA-certified wood stoves employ an additional combustion process to minimize the production of harmful emissions during the firing. These stoves also require a proper size chimney and the installation of flue liner to maximize performance. It is also essential to purchase seasoned firewood, and resist 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 avoid termite infestation homeowners should also store their firewood far away from the home.
Cleanliness
Wood-burning fireplaces offer a cozy alternative to other types of heating and offer ambiance that can create a tranquil ambience. They can be used for primary or supplemental heating, and could qualify for tax credits. They can be messy and require regular cleaning to prevent creosote and soot buildup. A dirty fireplace can create unpleasant odors and toxins and can affect the quality of air in the home.
When burning wood in a fireplace, it is essential to use dry firewood. Using kiln dried firewood will help to reduce the amount of creosote and buildup. Kiln dried firewood is treated in a heated oven, or kiln, to remove all of its moisture content. It is recommended to only burn clean and seasoned (burned) wood that has been sliced and stacked for a few months prior to using.
Before starting a fire, clean up the ash from the floor and around the smoke shelf and grate. Make sure that the ashes are completely cool before taking them out of the metal waste bin to be disposed of. Make use of a brush or a broom to sweep away any other stray materials that have accumulated outside the flame.
Wear gloves and an apron when cleaning a fireplace in order to protect yourself from dirt, soot and dust that will be created. To safeguard your furniture from stains, you should clean the area thoroughly and cover it with drop cloths. Wear a dust mask so that you don't breathe in particles of soot or ash.
Begin by filling the bucket with a gallon of warm water. Add 3.8 teaspoons of trisodium (TSP) and one cup of bleach and two tablespoons of ammonia from your home. Mix the mixture well, then use a nylon brush to scrub the fireplace's walls and the surrounding areas. After you have scrubbed, use a dry, clean cloth to clean and rinse the cleaning solution off.
Repeat the scrubbing, washing and wiping until all visible stains are removed from your fireplace. Once you are satisfied with the cleanliness of your fireplace, scrub down any glass doors with a glass cleaner safe for wood burning stoves.
Aesthetics
Wood fireplaces have a beauty that modern propane or gas fireplaces cannot match. The rustic appearance of fireplaces made of wood and the sound of a fire burning and the warm feeling they give have stood the test time. Many people search for this feature when purchasing a fireplace.
Wood-burning fireplaces are excellent to heat your home, but they also emit harmful gases. Carbon monoxide, smoke and other gases can cause lung damage. It is important to have an effective system that can remove these toxins, even though fireplaces are well ventilated. Modern wood burning stoves prefer a zero clearance design for wood-burning fireplaces since they lower the amount of harmful gasses that enter their home.
There are a variety of ways to make your fireplace more appealing and distinctive. You can paint it to fit the interior decor of your living space or use reclaimed wood to give it a more rustic look. You can also add an uphill stone staircase to the fireplace. This will create an attractive and functional feature for your home.
You can also change the color of your chimney. A popular choice is black, which is beautiful and complements the majority of homes. You can also paint your fireplace in white which opens up the space and creates light and airy atmosphere. Gray is a popular choice that is compatible with a variety of styles and is currently trending. Some homeowners mix beige and grey together, 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 they are not maintained and operated correctly Wood burning fireplaces that are not properly maintained and operated can be a serious risk to safety. They emit fine particle pollution that can enter deep into the lungs and cause lung disease. They also release dangerous air pollutants, including carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides and benzene. Wood smoke contributes to climate change by releasing methane and carbon dioxide.
The flue of a wood stove must be regularly cleaned and inspected to ensure that it functions correctly. A clean and functional chimney flue will help to prevent dangerous carbon monoxide leaking and chimney fires.
If the flue liner is degrading, it should be replaced or repaired immediately. It is also important to keep any combustible material away from the wood stove, including drapes, curtains and other flammable items. It is recommended to install cross-ventilation, which assists in moving warm air throughout the house so that it doesn't get pushed 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 will reduce the oxygen supply to logs, which can reduce the efficiency of combustion and resulting in more smoke. The ashes can be kept in a metal container or a similar noncombustible container.
Children should be kept out from the area around the fireplace, especially if it has glass front. If they touch hot surfaces, both during and after the fire, they could be burned. The numerous tools employed to maintain fireplaces, like shovels, pokers, log lifers and brushes are also dangerous for children to handle. A three-foot "safety zone" is recommended around the fireplace to prevent children coming in contact with it.
It is also a good idea to install an carbon monoxide detector and alarm in your home, particularly when there is wood stove. Carbon monoxide is poisonous and may be a problem if the wood stove and chimney are not functioning properly.
Finally, it is important to verify the state, local and tribal regulations regarding wood burning fireplaces. These rules could include rules for nuisances and odors, "no-burn days" and restrictions on visible emissions, or opacity of smoke from chimneys. These laws are typically aimed at reducing air pollution and are put in place to protect the health of the public.