Why We Our Love For Wood Burning Fireplace (And You Should Also!)

Maintaining a Wood Burning Fireplace

Nothing warms a home like the roar of a wood-burning fireplace. If you have one, it's vital to maintain it regularly to prevent dangerous build-ups of creosote.

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

Energy Efficiency

Wood fireplaces are a beautiful design that creates a cozy ambience and also warmth. They are not energy-efficient and could cause air pollution if not maintained in a timely manner. The quality and condition of your firebox, chimney system, and installation could have a significant impact on the efficiency of your entire system.

The main fuel used in a traditional wood-burning stove is firewood, which is usually purchased in a face cord or full cord (measured at 4'x8'x8'). Before using firewood, it needs to be "seasoned" to reduce the amount of water in it and increase its energy density. If the wood is too moist it will not burn effectively and may cause a lot of creosote. The process of preparing wood for seasoning can take months or even a full year depending on the weather and the climate.

Wood burning fireplaces require a significant investment of time and money to ensure they are maintained correctly. Apart from purchasing a large amount of firewood, homeowners should regularly clean and inspect their fireplaces to ensure the chimney is free of obstructions, that it is functioning properly and that combustible materials are not stored close to the unit. Regular cleaning and inspections help to reduce the risk of fireplace and room fires.

Smoke from wood-burning stoves has fine particles, which can damage the lungs and lead to serious health issues, including lung disease, heart attacks and cardiovascular disease. It also releases airborne toxic pollutants, including nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, benzene and more. Wood smoke is a contributor to the depletion of ozone in the atmosphere, greenhouse gases and other pollutants that affect the earth's climate.

Wood stoves that are EPA-certified efficient use an additional combustion process to limit the production of harmful emissions when firing. To maximize performance, these stoves require the proper size chimney as well as the installation of a flue liner. It is important to use well-seasoned wood and to avoid adding accelerants to the fire such as lighter liquid, gasoline or butane torch. This can overload the fire, causing a dangerous situation. Additionally homeowners should store their firewood away from their house to avoid termite infestation.

Cleanliness

Wood-burning fireplaces provide a comfortable alternative to other types of heating and offer ambiance that can create a tranquil ambience. They can be used as primary or as supplemental heat and can be eligible 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 release harmful odors and toxic substances that can impact the air quality inside your home.

The most important thing to keep in mind when you are burning a fireplace made of wood is to always use dry firewood. Utilizing kiln dried firewood will help to reduce the amount of creosote and buildup. Kiln dried wood is treated in an oven or kiln to eliminate all moisture. It is best to only burn clean, seasoned wood that has been cut into pieces and stacked for a few months before use.

Before lighting a fire, sweep up ash from the fireplace floor and around the grate and smoke shelf. Make sure you wait until the ashes have cool completely before you dump them into the bin made of metal. Utilizing the whisk or a dust pan, broom, also sweep and dump any other debris that may have accumulated outside the fireplace.

When cleaning a fireplace, make sure to wear gloves and an apron to protect yourself from the dust and soot produced. You should clear a working area and cover any nearby furniture with drop cloths in order to protect against staining. Wear a dust mask so that you don't inhale any particles of soot or ash.

Fill a large bucket up with warm water. Add 3.8 tablespoons of trisodium phosphate (TSP) 1 cup of bleach, and 2 tablespoons of household ammonia. Mix well, then dip a nylon brush into the solution and scrub the walls and surrounding areas of your fireplace. After scrubbing, use a clean damp cloth to wipe and rinse the cleaning solution off.

Repeat the scrubbing, washing and wiping until all visible deposits are cleared from your fireplace. When you are satisfied with the cleanliness of your fireplace, wipe down any glass doors with an approved glass cleaner for wood burning stoves.

Aesthetics

Wood fireplaces are beautiful that modern propane or gas fire places cannot rival. The rustic appearance of wood fireplaces as well as the roar of a fire burning and the warm feeling they give have stood the test of time. Many people look for this feature when purchasing a fireplace.

While wood-burning fireplaces are great for heat, they also emit harmful gases into your home. Carbon monoxide, smoke and other gases can cause lung damage. It is essential to have an effective system that can eliminate these harmful substances, even if fireplaces are well ventilated. Many people prefer zero clearance designs for wood burning fireplaces, since they lower the amount of harmful gases that are present in their homes.

There are many ways to design your wood fireplace to make it more unique and aesthetic. You can use reclaimed wood to give it a more rustic feel, or you can choose to paint it to fit with the decor of your living space. You can also include an uphill stone staircase to the fireplace. This will make an interesting and enjoyable feature in your home.

You can also change the color of your chimney. The most popular option is black, which looks beautiful and is a perfect match for most homes. You can also paint your fireplace white to open up the space and create a bright, airy atmosphere. Gray is a different option that is compatible with many different styles and is a contemporary trend. Some homeowners mix grey and beige together, also known as greige, to highlight 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

Wood burning fireplaces can lead to serious safety hazards if they are not maintained and operated properly. They emit fine particle pollution which can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause lung disease.  Wood burning stove indoor  release hazardous air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides and benzene. Wood smoke is also a contributor to climate change through the release of methane and carbon dioxide.

The flue of a wood stove needs to be cleaned and inspected regularly to ensure that it functions properly. A clean, functioning flue can help stop dangerous carbon monoxide leaks and chimney fires.

If the flue liner is deteriorating it is recommended to replace it or repaired as soon as possible. Keep flammable items, such as curtains, drapes and other items that are flammable, away from the wood stove. It is a good idea to set up cross-ventilation, which helps move warm air through the house to ensure that it doesn't rush back up the chimney.

Make sure to regularly clean out the ashes to keep them from blocking the airflow and becoming too large in size. Too much ash can restrict the oxygen supply to logs and reduce the efficiency of combustion, which causes more smoke. The ashes must be kept in a metal bucket or any other non-combustible container.

Keep children away from the area around the fireplace, particularly if there is glass front. They can get burns by touching the hot surfaces while they are in a fire. The various tools used to maintain fireplaces, like shovels, pokers log lifers, brushes, and others, can also be dangerous for children to handle. To ensure that children do not accidentally contacting the fireplace and causing harm, an "safety area" of three feet should be set up around it.

Installing a carbon monoxide alarm and detector in the house is a good idea too particularly if you own a wood stove. Carbon monoxide can build up when the chimney and wood stove aren't operating properly, and is a poison to breathe.

It is also essential to verify the local, state and tribal regulations regarding wood-burning fireplaces. These regulations might include nuisance/odor rules, "no-burn" days and visible emission limits or opacity limits for smoke coming from chimneys of homeowners. These laws are usually focused on reducing air pollution and are put in place to protect public health.