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Maintaining a Wood Burning Fireplace Nothing is more welcoming than the crackle of a wood-burning fireplace. It is important to keep your fireplace in good condition to avoid the risk of creosote buildup. Airflow can be controlled using a damper, and this is a vital part of maintaining efficient combustion. Hardwoods such as oak and ash create less creosote. Energy Efficiency Wood fireplaces are a beautiful amenity that creates a cozy ambiance and provides heat. They aren't efficient in terms of energy and can contribute to pollutant emissions if not maintained correctly. The condition and quality of your chimney system, and installation can be a major factor in the overall efficiency. Firewood is the primary fuel source for wood-burning stoves. It is typically bought in face cords or full cords (measured as 4'x8”x8”) Firewood must be “seasoned” to lower the water content and increase the energy density prior to its use. If the wood is wet, it won't burn efficiently and will create a lot creosote. Seasoning wood can take months or even a year dependent on the weather and the climate. A wood burning fireplace requires a significant investment both in time and money to maintain it properly. Apart from purchasing a large amount of firewood, homeowners need to regularly clean and inspect their fireplaces to ensure that the chimney is free from obstructions and that it's functioning properly and that any combustible material is not stored in close proximity to the fireplace. Regular cleaning and inspections can help reduce the risk of chimney fires as well as room fires. Smoke from a wood-burning stove contains fine particle pollution, which can cause lung damage and lead to serious health issues like lung disease, heart attacks and cardiovascular disease. It also releases toxic air pollutants, including nitrogen oxides as well as volatile organic compounds like formaldehyde, benzene and more. Wood smoke can contribute to the depletion of oxygen in the atmosphere as well as greenhouse gases and other pollutants that can influence the earth's climate. Efficient EPA certified wood stoves use an additional combustion process to reduce harmful emissions during firing. To maximize performance, these stoves require a properly sized chimney as well as installation of a flue liner. It is also essential to buy firewood that is seasoned and beware of the temptation to add accelerants such as gasoline, lighter fluid or butane torch to the fire, as it can cause fire to become too hot and lead to a hazardous situation. Additionally, homeowners should store their firewood away from their house to avoid termite infestation. Cleanliness Wood-burning fire places are a fantastic alternative to other heating methods. They also create a relaxing ambience. They can be used as primary or supplemental heating and could qualify for tax credits. However, they can be messy and require regular cleaning to prevent creosote and soot buildup. A fireplace that is dirty can release harmful odors and toxic substances, which can affect the air quality in your home. The most important thing to remember when using a wood fireplace is to always use dry firewood. Using kiln dried firewood will aid in reducing creosote and buildup. Kiln dried firewood can be treated in a heated oven, or kiln, to eliminate all moisture content. It is recommended to only use clean well-seasoned wood that has been cut into pieces and then stacked for several months prior to use. Before lighting a fire, take the ashes off the floor of the fireplace as well as the area around the smoke shelf. Be sure to wait until the ashes are cool completely before dumping them in an aluminum bin. Using an empty pan or a whisk broom as well as sweeping and dumping any other stray debris that has accumulated around the fireplace. When cleaning a fireplace, be sure to wear gloves and an apron in order to protect yourself from the dirt and soot that will be produced. You should clear a working space and cover any nearby furniture with drop cloths to protect against staining. Wear a mask to ensure that you don't inhale any soot or ash particles. Begin by filling an enormous 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 the solution well, and then employ a nylon brush to scrub the walls of your fireplace and the surrounding areas. After scrubbing, use a clean damp cloth to wipe and clean the cleaning solution. Repeat the scrubbing, wiping and cleaning process until all visible deposits have been removed from your fireplace. When you are satisfied with the cleanliness of your fireplace, scrub down any glass doors with a glass cleaner that is safe for wood burning stoves. Aesthetics Wood fireplaces are beautiful and cannot be compared to modern gas or propane fireplaces. Their rustic appearance, the crackling sound of a burning fire and their cozy feel create an ambience that has stood the test of time. This is one feature that many people look for when looking for a fireplace. Wood-burning fireplaces are excellent to heat your home, but they also emit dangerous gasses. These include carbon monoxide as well as smoke that can harm your lungs. While the fireplaces are usually well-ventilated, it's important to have an effective system in place to aid in eliminating these toxins. This is the reason why many prefer a zero clearance wood burning fireplace design which helps to lower the amount of harmful gases in your home. There are many different ways to design your fireplace to create a unique visually appealing. You can paint it to match the decor of your living room or use reclaimed wooden to give it a more rustic look. You can also add an uphill stone staircase to the fireplace. This will make an interesting and enjoyable feature for your home. You can also change the color of your chimney. A popular choice is black, which looks stunning and complements the majority of homes. Alternatively, you can paint your fireplace white which lets light into the room and creates a bright and airy space. Gray is a popular color that can be paired with a variety of styles and is currently trending. Some homeowners mix beige and grey 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 Wood burning fireplaces can cause serious safety concerns if they're not maintained and operated properly. They release smoke, which is a fine particle of pollution that can get into the lungs, causing lung illnesses and other health issues. They also release hazardous air pollutants like carbon monoxide volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides and benzene. Wood smoke also contributes to climate change through the release of methane and carbon dioxide. The flue of a wood stove should be inspected and cleaned regularly to ensure that it's working as it should. A clean, well-functioning flue helps stop dangerous carbon monoxide leaks and chimney fires. If the flue liner is degrading the flue liner should be replaced or repaired immediately. Be sure to keep flammable objects, such as curtains, drapes and other objects that ignite, away from the wood stove. It is recommended to set up cross-ventilation, which allows warm 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 deep and blocking the air flow. Too much ash can restrict the oxygen supply to the logs, and reduce the efficiency of combustion, which causes more smoke. The ashes can be kept in a metal container or in a non-combustible container. Children should be kept away from the area around the fireplace particularly in the case of a glass front. Children can be burned when they touch hot surfaces after and during an fire. Additionally, the numerous different tools employed to maintain a fireplace like pokers, log lifers and shovels can be dangerous for kids to handle. To prevent children from falling into the fire and causing harm, a “safety area” of three feet should be set up around the fireplace. It is also a good idea to install an carbon monoxide detector as well as an alarm in your home, particularly when there is a wood stove. Carbon monoxide can be poisonous and build up if the wood stove and chimney are not working properly. It is also important to verify the state, local and tribal regulations regarding wood-burning fireplaces. These rules could include nuisance/odor rules, “no-burn” days and visible emission limits or opacity limits for smoke from homeowners' chimneys. These laws are usually designed to reduce air pollution and safeguard public health.