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

Maintaining a Wood Burning Fireplace

The crackle of a fireplace with wood is a great way to warm up a home. If you have one, it is important to maintain it regularly to avoid dangerous build-ups of creosote.

The airflow can be controlled by dampers and is a crucial element of maintaining efficient combustion. Hardwoods like oak and ash are less likely to produce creosote.

Energy Efficiency

Wood fireplaces can be a stunning feature, creating an inviting and warm ambience. They aren't efficient in terms of energy and could cause pollutant emissions if not maintained in a timely manner. The type of wood used, the quality and condition of the firebox, the chimney installation and chimney can greatly affect the overall effectiveness of the appliance.

The primary fuel for a traditional wood burning stove is firewood, which is typically bought in a face cord or full cord (measured at 4'x8'x8'). The wood must be "seasoned" to reduce its water content and increase its energy density prior to use. If the wood is wet, it won't burn efficiently and will produce a lot of creosote. Seasoning wood can take months or even a year depending on the weather and the conditions of the climate.

Wood burning fireplaces demand a significant investment of time and money to maintain them properly. In addition to buying a large amount of firewood, homeowners must regularly check and clean their fireplace. This is to ensure that the chimney is free of obstructions, is working properly, and that no combustible material is stored close to the fireplace. Regular cleaning and inspections help reduce the risk for room and chimney fires.

The smoke from a wood-burning fireplace is a source of fine particles that can cause lung damage and serious health problems, including heart attacks, cardiovascular diseases and lung diseases. It also releases carbon monoxide as well as other air pollutants that are toxic, such as volatile organic compounds such as nitrogen oxides, benzene, and formaldehyde. Wood smoke is a contributor to the destruction of greenhouse gases and ozone which can affect the earth's climate.

Efficient EPA-certified wood stoves use a secondary combustion process to minimize the production of harmful emissions during the firing. To optimize performance they require an appropriately sized chimney as well as installation of a flue lined. It is also important to buy seasoned firewood and avoid the temptation to add accelerants like gasoline, lighter fluid or butane torch to the fire, as they can add fuel to the fire and cause a risky situation. To avoid termite infestation, homeowners should also store their firewood away from their homes.

Cleanliness

Wood-burning fireplaces are a relaxing alternative to other types of heating and offer ambiance that creates a relaxing ambience. They can be used for primary or as supplemental heat and may qualify for tax credits. However, they can be messy and require regular cleaning to avoid creosote and soot accumulation. A dirty fireplace can produce unpleasant odors, toxins and can affect the quality of air in the home.

The most important thing to remember when burning a wood fireplace is to always use dry firewood. Kiln dried firewood aids in reducing creosote accumulation and soot. Kiln dried firewood can be treated in a heated oven or kiln, to remove all of its moisture content. It is recommended to only burn clean and seasoned (burned) wood that has been split and stored for a few months prior to using.

Before you start a fire clean up the ash from the floor and around the grate and smoke shelf. Make sure the ashes are cool before taking them out of an aluminum waste bin to be disposed of. Utilizing an empty pan or a whisk broom, also sweep and dump any other stray 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 dirt and soot that will be produced. To keep your furniture safe from stains, you should clean the area thoroughly and cover it with drop cloths. It is also recommended to wear a dust mask to keep from breathing in any ash or soot particles.

Fill a large bucket with warm water. Add 3.8 teaspoons of trisodium (TSP), one cup of bleach and two tablespoons of ammonia from your home. Mix well and then dip a nylon brush into the solution and scrub the walls and areas of your fireplace. After scrubbing, use clean, damp cloth to clean and rinse the cleaning solution off.

Repeat the scrubbing and wiping process until all visible deposits have been removed from your fireplace. When  cast iron wood stove  are satisfied with the cleanliness of your fireplace, scrub off any glass doors with a glass cleaner that is safe for stoves with wood burning.

Aesthetics

Wood fireplaces are beautiful and are not comparable to modern gas or propane fireplaces. Their rustic look, crackling sounds of a burning fire and their warm feel create a cozy atmosphere that has long stood the test of time. Many people look for this feature when purchasing a fireplace.

While wood-burning fireplaces are great for heating, they also emit harmful gases into your home. Smoke, carbon monoxide and other gases can damage your lungs. Although fireplaces are generally well ventilated, it is essential to have an effective system in place that can assist in the elimination of these harmful substances. This is why many people prefer a zero clearance wood burning fireplace which helps to lower the amount of harmful gases in your home.

There are many different ways to design your wood fireplace to make it more unique and visually appealing. You can make use of recycled wood to give it a more rustic feel, or you can choose to paint it to match your living room decor. You can also include an uphill stone staircase that is connected to the fireplace. This will make an attractive and functional feature in your home.

You can also alter the color of your chimney. The most popular option is black, which looks stunning and complements the majority of homes. You can also paint your fireplace white to make the room appear larger and create a bright airy ambience. Gray is a popular choice that is compatible with a variety of styles and is trendy. Some homeowners blend grey and beige together, also referred to as greige to celebrate 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 create serious safety concerns if they're not properly maintained and operated. They emit fine particle pollution which can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause lung disease. They also release harmful air pollutants such as carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds. Wood smoke is also a contributor to climate change through the release of methane and carbon dioxide.

The flue of a wood stove must be cleaned and inspected regularly to ensure it is functioning properly. A clean, well-functioning flue helps prevent dangerous carbon monoxide leaks and chimney fires.

If the flue liner is degrading it is recommended to replace it or repaired as soon as possible. It is also important to keep combustible materials away from the wood stove, including drapes, curtains and other flammable items. Cross-ventilation is a great way to circulate warm air throughout the house to ensure that it doesn't end up back up the chimney.

Ashes must be removed of the fireplace regularly to keep them from accumulating too deep and obstructing air flow. Too much ash will reduce the oxygen supply to logs, which will reduce the efficiency of combustion and resulting in more smoke. The ashes can be stored in a container made of metal or another noncombustible container.

Keep children away from the area around the fireplace, particularly if there is glass on the front. If they touch hot surfaces, both during and after the fire, they can be burned. The many tools employed to maintain fireplaces, including 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 avoid children from coming into contact with it.

Installing an alarm for carbon monoxide and detector in the house is also a great idea particularly if you own a wood stove. Carbon monoxide is poisonous and may accumulate in the wood stove if the chimney aren't functioning correctly.

In addition, it is essential to verify 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 coming from chimneys of homeowners. These laws are typically designed to reduce pollution in the air and are in place to safeguard public health.