Twenty Myths About Wood Burning Fireplace: Busted

Maintaining a Wood Burning Fireplace

The sound of a wood-burning fireplace is a great way to warm a home. If you have one, it's essential to keep it maintained regularly to prevent the risk of creosote accumulating in dangerous amounts.

A damper is an essential part of maintaining a good combustion. The kind of firewood used may be a factor and hardwoods like oak and Wood burning fire ash producing less creosote than softwoods.

Energy Efficiency

Wood fireplaces are a beautiful feature that creates a warm atmosphere and also provides heat. However, they are not efficient in terms of energy efficiency and can cause polluting air if they are not properly maintained. The kind of wood used, the quality and condition of the firebox, chimney system and installation can significantly affect the effectiveness of the unit.

Firewood is the main fuel source for wood-burning stoves. It is typically purchased in face cords or full cords (measured as 4'x8"x8") Firewood must be "seasoned" to reduce its water content and improve its energy density prior to use. If the wood is wet, it won't burn efficiently and will create a lot creosote. The process of preparing wood for seasoning can take months or even a full year dependent on the weather and climate conditions.

wood burner fireplace ideas burning fireplaces demand a significant investment of time and money to maintain them properly. In addition to purchasing a large amount of firewood, owners must regularly check and clean their fireplace. This is to ensure that the chimney is free of obstructions, that it is operating correctly, and that there isn't any combustible materials near the fireplace. Regular cleanings and inspections will help reduce the risk for room and chimney fires.

Smoke from small wood burning stove-burning stoves contains fine particle pollution, which can harm the lungs and cause serious health problems including lung disease, cardiovascular disease and heart attacks. It also releases harmful air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde and benzene. Wood smoke can contribute to the atmospheric depletion ozone, greenhouse gases and other pollutants that can alter the climate of the earth.

Efficient EPA-certified wood stoves use an additional combustion process to minimize the production of harmful emissions during firing. They also require a properly size chimney and the installation of a flue liner to optimize performance. It is essential to use well-seasoned wood and to avoid adding accelerants to the fire, such as gasoline, lighter liquid or butane torch. This can overload the fire, which can lead to a dangerous situation. To prevent termite invasion homeowners should also keep their firewood away from their homes.

Cleanliness

Wood-burning fire places are a great alternative to other heating methods. They also provide a tranquil atmosphere. They can be used as primary or additional heating and may qualify you for tax credits. They can be messy and require regular cleaning in order to prevent soot and creosote buildup. A dirty fireplace can create unpleasant odors and 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. Kiln dried firewood can aid in reducing creosote and buildup. Kiln dried wood is processed in an oven or kiln to remove all moisture. It is also a good idea to only burn clean, seasoned (burned) wood that has been split and stacked for a few months prior to use.

Before you start a fire sweep up ash from the floor and around the smoke shelf and grate. Be sure to wait until the ashes have cool completely before you dump them into the bin made of metal. Make use of a whisk or a dustpan brush to sweep away any other stray materials that have accumulated outside the fire.

When cleaning a fireplace, be sure to wear gloves and an apron to protect yourself from the dirt and soot that is produced. To keep your furniture safe from stains, you should clean the area and cover it with drop cloths. Wear a dust mask so that you don't inhale any particles of soot or ash.

Start by filling a large bucket with one gallon of warm water. Add 3.8 tablespoons of trisodium phosphate (TSP), 1 cup of bleach, and 2 tablespoons of household ammonia. Mix well and then dip a nylon toothbrush into the solution and scrub the walls and other areas of your fireplace. After scrubbing, use a clean, damp cloth to clean and wash the cleaning solution off.

Repeat the scrubbing, rinsing and wiping until all visible deposits are eliminated from your fireplace. Once you're satisfied with your cleanliness then use glass cleaner that's safe for wood-burning stoves to clean any glass doors.

Aesthetics

Wood fireplaces are beautiful that modern propane or gas fireplaces cannot match. Their rustic look, 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 search for this feature when purchasing a fireplace.

Wood-burning fireplaces can be great to heat your home However, they also emit harmful gases. Carbon monoxide, smoke and other gases can cause lung damage. Although fireplaces are generally well-ventilated, it is important to have a system in place to assist in the elimination of these toxins. This is the reason why many prefer using a zero clearance wood burning fireplace design, as it helps reduce the amount of harmful gases in your home.

There are several ways to make your fireplace look more appealing and unique. You can choose to use reclaimed wood to give it a more rustic feel or opt to paint it to complement the decor of your living room. You can also build an uphill stone staircase to the fireplace. This will create an attractive and functional feature in your home.

You can also change your chimney's color. Black is a popular choice because it looks great and goes with a lot of homes. You can also paint your fireplace white to open up the space and create a fresh airy feel. Gray is a third option that is compatible with many different styles and is a contemporary trend. Some homeowners mix beige and gray together called greige to highlight this versatility and aesthetic.

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 cause serious safety concerns if they're not maintained and operated properly. They emit fine particle pollution which can penetrate deep into the lungs and trigger lung disease. They also release harmful air pollutants, such as carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds. Wood smoke also contributes to climate change by releasing methane and carbon dioxide.

The flue in a wood stove must be inspected and cleaned regularly to ensure that it's working as it should. A clean and functioning chimney flue will help to keep carbon monoxide from leaking into the air and chimney fires.

If the flue's lining is deteriorating it should be replaced or repaired as soon as it becomes apparent. Keep flammable materials like drapes, curtains, and other flammable objects, away from the wood stove. Cross-ventilation is a fantastic method to move warm air around the house so it doesn't go back up the chimney.

Make sure to regularly clean out the ashes to avoid them becoming a block to airflow and then building up too much. A lot of ash can impede the oxygen supply to logs and reduce the efficiency of combustion, which causes more smoke. The ashes should be placed in a bucket made of metal or another non-combustible container.

Children should be kept out from the fireplace area particularly if it has glass front. Children can be burned when they touch hot surfaces during and after a fire. The many tools employed to maintain fireplaces, like shovels, pokers log lifers, brushes, and others can be hazardous for children to handle. A three-foot "safety zone" should be established around the fireplace to prevent children accidentally coming into contact with it.

Installing a carbon monoxide alarm as well as detector in the house is also a great idea especially if you have a wood burning fire stove. Carbon monoxide is a hazard when the chimney and wood stove aren't operating properly, and is poisonous to breathe.

Finally, Wood burning Fire it is important to check the state, local and tribal regulations regarding wood burning fireplaces. These may include odor or nuisance rules, "no-burn" days and visible emission limits or opacity limits for smoke from homeowners' chimneys. These laws are typically designed to reduce air pollution and protect public health.