20 Fun Facts About Wood Burning Fireplace
Maintaining a Wood Burning Fireplace
Nothing is more welcoming than the roar of a wood-burning fireplace. It is important to keep your fireplace clean to avoid dangerous creosote buildup.
The airflow can be controlled by a damper, and this is a crucial element of keeping the combustion efficient. Hardwoods like oak and ash produce less creosote.
Energy Efficiency
Wood fireplaces are a stunning feature that creates a warm ambiance and provides warmth. They are not energy-efficient and can cause harmful air pollution if not maintained in a timely manner. The condition and the quality of your chimney, firebox system, and installation can have a significant impact on the efficiency of your entire system.
The primary fuel for a traditional wood burning stove is firewood, which is typically purchased in a face cord or a full cord (measured at 4'x8'x8'). Before burning firewood, it needs to be "seasoned", to reduce the amount of water in it and increase its energy density. If the wood is wet it won't burn effectively and will create a lot creosote. The process of preparing wood for seasoning can take anywhere from months to a full year or more, depending on the climate and weather conditions.
A fireplace that burns wood requires a substantial investment both in money and time to maintain it in a proper manner. Apart from purchasing a large amount of firewood, homeowners must regularly clean and examine their fireplace to ensure that the chimney is free of obstructions and operating properly and that any combustible material is not stored in close proximity to the unit. Regular cleaning and inspections can help reduce the risk of chimney fires and room fires.
The smoke from a wood-burning fire place contains fine particles that can cause lung damage and serious health issues such as heart attacks, cardiovascular diseases, and lung disease. It also releases carbon monoxide as well as other harmful air pollutants including volatile organic compounds such as nitrogen oxides, benzene and formaldehyde. Wood smoke contributes to atmospheric depletion of greenhouse gases and ozone, which can affect the climate of the earth.
Effective EPA certified wood stoves use a second combustion process to minimize harmful emissions during the firing. These stoves also require a properly sized chimney and installation of an air flue liner in order to maximize performance. It is important to use seasoned wood and to avoid adding accelerants to the fire such as gasoline, lighter liquid or butane torch. This could cause a surge of fire, which can lead to a dangerous situation. To prevent termite invasion, homeowners should also store their firewood in a safe location away from their homes.
Cleanliness
Wood-burning fireplaces offer a cozy alternative to other forms of heating. They also provide ambiance that creates a relaxing ambience. They can be used for primary or supplemental heating and may qualify you for tax credits. They can be messy and require regular cleaning to prevent soot and creosote buildup. A dirty fireplace can produce unpleasant odors and toxins and can adversely affect the air quality in the home.
The most important thing to keep in mind when you are burning a wood fireplace is to always use dry firewood. Kiln dried firewood aids in reducing creosote accumulation and soot. Kiln dried firewood is treated in a heated oven, or kiln, to remove all moisture content. It is also a good idea to only burn clean well-seasoned (burned) wood that is split and stored for a few months prior to use.
Before you start a fire sweep up ash from the floor of the fireplace and around the grate and smoke shelf. Make sure that the ashes are cool before scooping them into the metal waste bin for disposal. Make use of a brush or a Broom to sweep and dispose of any other materials that have accumulated outside of the fire.
Wear gloves and an apron when cleaning a fireplace to protect yourself from the dirt, soot and dust that can be accumulated. To protect your furniture from stains, clear the area and cover it with drop cloths. You will also want to wear a dust mask in order to avoid inhaling any ash or soot particles.
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 and then dip a nylon brush into the solution and scrub the walls and surrounding areas of your fireplace. After scrubbing, use clean damp cloth to clean and clean the cleaning solution.
Repeat the scrubbing, rinse and wiping until all visible deposits are removed from your fireplace. Once you are satisfied with the cleanliness of your fireplace, clean off any glass doors with an approved glass cleaner for stoves that burn wood.
Aesthetics
Wood fireplaces have a beauty that modern gas or propane fire places can't match. Their rustic appearance, the crackling sounds of a burning flame and their cozy ambience create a cozy atmosphere that has stood the test of time. Many people seek this feature when buying a fireplace.
While wood-burning fireplaces are great for heating but they also release harmful gases into your home. Smoke, carbon monoxide, and other gases can damage your lungs. While fireplaces are typically well ventilated, it is essential to have an effective 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 which helps to lower the amount of harmful gases present in your home.
There are several ways to make your wood fireplace more appealing and distinctive. You can choose to use recycled wood to give it a rustic look or opt to paint it to match your living room decor. You can also build an uphill stone staircase that is connected to the fireplace. This will make an interesting and enjoyable feature for your home.
You can also alter the color of your chimney. Black is a popular choice as it looks fantastic and works with a lot of homes. You can also paint your fireplace white to let the space breathe and create a light, airy atmosphere. Gray is a third option that can be paired with many different styles and is a modern trend. Some homeowners mix gray and beige, known as greige, to show their 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.
Safety
Wood burning fireplaces can create serious safety concerns if they're not maintained and operated properly. They emit smoke, which contains fine particle pollutants that can be absorbed into the lungs and cause lung ailments and other health issues. They also release harmful air pollutants such as carbon monoxide and 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 should be regularly cleaned and inspected to ensure it's functioning correctly. A clean and well-functioning chimney flue will help to keep carbon monoxide from leaking into the air and chimney fires.
If the flue liner is becoming worn, it should be replaced or repaired immediately. It is also important to keep all combustible items away from the wood stove, including curtains, drapes and other flammable items. It is a good idea to install cross-ventilation, which helps move warm air throughout the house to ensure that it doesn't flow back up the chimney.
Ashes should be swept out from the fireplace on a regular basis to avoid them accumulating too deeply and obstructing air flow. wood burning stoves of ash can reduce the oxygen supply for logs, which will reduce the efficiency of combustion and leading to more smoke. The ashes can be kept in a container made of metal or a similar noncombustible container.
Be sure to keep children away from the area around the fireplace, especially when there is glass front. They can get burns when they touch hot surfaces during and after a fire. In addition, the different tools employed to maintain a fireplace such as brushes, pokers, log lifers and shovels can be hazardous for children to handle. To prevent children from accidentally contacting the fireplace and causing harm, a "safety area" of three feet be created around the fireplace.
It is an excellent idea to install an carbon monoxide detector and alarm in the home, especially when there is wood stove. Carbon monoxide can be poisonous and accumulate in the wood stove if the chimney are not functioning properly.
It is also important to be aware of the state, local and tribal regulations for wood burning fireplaces. These regulations could include rules regarding odors and nuisances, "no-burn days" and limitations on visible emissions or opacity of smoke coming from chimneys. These laws are often designed to reduce air pollution and protect public health.