Maintaining a Wood Burning Fireplace The sound of a wood-burning fireplace is a great way to warm up your home. If you have one, it's essential to keep it maintained regularly to prevent dangerous creosote build-ups. Airflow can be controlled with dampers and is a vital part of maintaining a high-quality combustion. The kind of firewood used can affect the outcome, with hardwoods like oak and ash producing less creosote than softwoods. Energy Efficiency Wood fireplaces are an attractive amenity that creates a cozy ambiance and provides heat. They aren't energy efficient and can contribute to air pollution if they are not maintained in a timely manner. The type of wood used, the quality and condition of the firebox, the chimney system and installation can significantly impact the efficiency of the appliance. The primary fuel for a traditional wood burning stove is firewood, which is usually purchased in a face cord or full cord (measured at 4'x8'x8'). It is essential to 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 result in a lot of creosote. Seasoning wood typically takes months to a full year or more, based on the weather and the climate. Wood burning fireplaces demand 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 fireplace to ensure that the chimney is free of obstructions and that it's operating properly and that any combustible material is not stored close to the unit. Regular cleaning and inspections can reduce the risk of chimney fires and room fires. Smoke from wood-burning stoves is a source of fine particle pollution which can damage the lungs and cause serious health issues like lung disease, cardiovascular disease and heart attacks. It also releases carbon monoxide as well as other toxic air pollutants including volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, benzene, and formaldehyde. Wood smoke contributes to atmospheric destruction of greenhouse gases and ozone, which can harm the earth's climate. Effective EPA certified wood stoves use the second combustion method to minimize harmful emissions during the firing. To optimize performance, these stoves require an appropriately sized chimney as well as the installation of a flue lined. It is essential to use 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. In addition, homeowners should store their firewood away from their home to prevent termite infestation. Cleanliness Wood-burning fireplaces offer a cozy 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 can be eligible for tax credits. They can be messy, and require regular cleaning in order to prevent soot and creosote buildup. A fireplace that is not cleaned can release toxic odors and toxins which can negatively impact the air quality in your home. When burning wood in the fireplace, it is crucial to use only dry firewood. Kiln dried firewood helps reduce creosote buildup as well as soot. Kiln dried firewood is treated in a heated oven or kiln, to eliminate all of its moisture content. It is recommended to only burn clean, seasoned (burned) wood that is split and placed in a stack for a couple of months prior to using. Before starting a fire, sweep up ash from the floor and around the grate and smoke shelf. Make sure you wait until the ashes are cool completely before dumping them in the bin made of metal. Use a dustpan or whisk broom to sweep away any other debris that may have accumulated outside of the fire. When cleaning a fireplace, be sure to wear gloves and an apron in order to protect yourself from the dirt and soot that is generated. To safeguard your furniture from stains, clear the area and cover it with drop cloths. Wear a mask to ensure that you don't breathe in particles of soot or ash. Start by filling a large bucket with one gallon of warm water. Add 3.8 teaspoons of trisodium (TSP), one cup of bleach and two tablespoons of ammonia from your home. Mix well, then dip a nylon brush in the solution and scrub the walls and other areas of your fireplace. After scrubbing, use a clean, damp cloth to clean and clean the cleaning solution. Repeat the scrubbing, rinse and wiping until all visible deposits are eliminated from your fireplace. When you are satisfied with the cleanliness of your fireplace, wipe off any glass doors with a glass cleaner that is safe for wood burning stoves. Aesthetics Wood fireplaces have a look that modern propane or gas fire places can't match. The rustic appearance of wood fireplaces as well as the roar of a fire roaring and the warm feeling they give have stood the test time. This is a characteristic that a lot of people seek when shopping for fireplaces. Wood-burning fireplaces are excellent to heat your home, but they also emit harmful gasses. These include carbon monoxide as well as smoke that can cause lung damage. It is important to have an effective system to eliminate these toxins, even if fireplaces are well ventilated. This is the reason why many prefer a zero clearance wood burning fireplace, as it helps reduce the quantity of harmful gases that are present in your home. There are a variety of ways to make your fireplace more appealing and distinctive. You can paint it to match the interior decor of your living space or use reclaimed wooden to give it an even more rustic look. You can also install an outdoor stone staircase that leads to the fireplace, which is a fun and functional feature in your home. You can also alter the color of your chimney. A popular choice is black, which looks stunning and complements the majority of homes. You can also paint your fireplace in white which lets light into the space and creates light and airy atmosphere. Gray is a different option that can be paired with a variety of styles and is a modern trend. Some homeowners even mix beige and gray together, known as greige, to celebrate this flexibility 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. contemporary wood burning stoves If not maintained and operated correctly, wood burning fireplaces can pose serious dangers to safety. They release smoke, which has fine particles of pollutants that can be absorbed into the lungs to cause lung diseases and other health problems. 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 of a wood stove should be cleaned and inspected regularly to ensure that it is working as it should. A clean, functioning flue can help keep carbon monoxide leaks from becoming dangerous and chimney fires. If the flue lining is deteriorating it should be repaired or replaced immediately. Be sure to keep flammable objects, such as drapes, curtains and other objects that ignite, away from the wood stove. It is a good idea to set up cross-ventilation which allows warm air throughout the home so that it doesn't flow back up the chimney. Ashes should be swept out of the fireplace regularly to keep them from accumulating too deep and obstructing air flow. As much ash can limit the oxygen supply to logs and reduce the efficiency of combustion, which results in more smoke. The ashes should be stored in a metal bucket or another non-combustible container. Children should be kept out from the fireplace especially when it has glass front. If they come in contact with hot surfaces, both during and after the fire, they may be burned. In addition, the many different tools used to maintain a fireplace like brushes, pokers, log lifers and shovels, are dangerous for kids to handle. To ensure that children do not getting into the fireplace accidentally, it is recommended that a safety area of three feet should be set up around the fireplace. It is an excellent idea to install an carbon monoxide detector as well as an alarm in the home, especially when there is wood stove. Carbon monoxide can be poisonous and accumulate if the wood stove and chimney aren't functioning correctly. It is also important to check the state, local and tribal regulations for wood burning fireplaces. These rules could include rules governing odors and nuisances, no-burn days and limitations on visible emissions, or opacity of smoke from chimneys. These laws are often aimed at reducing pollution in the air and are in place to protect the health of the public.
contemporary wood burning stoves
