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Maintaining a Wood Burning Fireplace The sound of a wood-burning fireplace is a fantastic way to warm up the interior of a house. If you have one, it is vital to maintain it regularly to avoid the risk of dangerous creosote build-ups. A damper is an essential component of maintaining a healthy combustion. Hardwoods like oak and ash produce less creosote. Energy Efficiency Wood fireplaces can be an attractive feature, creating an inviting and warm ambience. However, they are not efficient in energy use and can result in polluting air if they are not properly maintained. The kind of wood used, the quality and condition of the firebox, the chimney and installation may significantly impact the efficiency of the appliance. 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 its energy density prior to use. If the wood is moist it won't burn effectively and will create a lot creosote. Seasoning wood generally takes from months to a full year or more, based on the climate and weather conditions. Wood burning fireplaces require a significant investment of time and money to keep them properly. Apart from purchasing a large quantity of firewood, homeowners need to regularly clean and inspect their fireplaces to ensure the chimney is free of obstructions and that it's functioning properly and that combustible materials are not stored close to the unit. Regular inspections and cleaning can help reduce the risk of chimney fires as well as room fires. Smoke from wood-burning stoves has fine particles, which can cause lung damage and cause serious health issues like lung disease, heart attacks and cardiovascular disease. It also releases harmful air pollutants, including nitrogen oxides as well as volatile organic compounds like benzene, and formaldehyde. Wood smoke can contribute to the depletion of ozone in the atmosphere as well as greenhouse gases and other pollutants that alter the climate of the earth. Effective EPA-certified wood stoves employ secondary combustion to reduce the generation of harmful emissions during the firing. To ensure optimal performance they require an appropriately sized chimney, as well as the installation of a flue lining. It is important to use wood that is well-seasoned and to avoid adding accelerants to the fire such as lighter liquid, gasoline or butane torch. This could cause a surge of fire, causing a dangerous situation. Additionally, homeowners should store their firewood outside of the house to avoid termite infestation. Cleanliness Wood-burning fireplaces offer a cozy alternative to other forms of heating and offer ambiance that creates a relaxing atmosphere. They can be used for primary or supplemental heating, and may qualify you for tax credits. However they can be messy and require regular cleaning to avoid creosote and soot buildup. A dirty fireplace can produce unpleasant odors, toxins and can affect the quality of air inside the home. When burning wood in an open fireplace, it's essential to use 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 remove all of its moisture content. It is recommended to only burn clean well-seasoned (burned) wood that has been sliced and stacked for a few months prior to use. Before lighting a flame, take the ashes off the floor of the fireplace as well as the area around the smoke shelf. Make sure you wait until the ashes have cool completely before throwing them into an aluminum bin. Make use of a whisk or a dustpan broom to sweep and dispose of any other debris that may have accumulated outside the flame. Wear gloves and an apron while cleaning a fireplace to protect yourself from dirt, soot and dust that are created. To safeguard your furniture from stains, clear the area and cover it with drop cloths. Wear a dust mask to ensure you don't breathe in any ash or particles of soot. Fill a large bucket up with warm water. Add 3.8 teaspoons of trisodium (TSP) and one cup of bleach and two tablespoons of ammonia from your household. Mix the solution well, then use a nylon brush scrub the fireplace's walls and the surrounding areas. After scrubbing the walls and the areas around your fireplace, clean it off with an aqueous, damp cloth. Repeat the scrubbing, wiping and cleaning process until all visible deposits are removed from your fireplace. Once you're satisfied with the cleanness, employ glass cleaner that's safe for wood-burning stoves to clean the glass doors. Aesthetics Fireplaces made of wood are stunning and aren't able to be compared with modern gas or propane fireplaces. wood burners of fireplaces made of wood and the sound of a fire roaring and the cozy atmosphere they provide have stood the test time. Many people seek this feature when buying fireplaces. While wood-burning fireplaces are great for heat but they also release harmful gases into your home. Smoke, carbon monoxide, and other gases can cause lung damage. Although fireplaces are generally well-ventilated, it is important to have an effective system in place to assist in the elimination of these harmful substances. This is why a lot of people prefer a zero clearance wood burning fireplace design, 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 attractive and distinctive. You can choose to use recycled wood to give the fireplace a more rustic appearance, or you can choose to paint it to match your living room decor. You can also add an uphill stone staircase to the fireplace. This will create an attractive and functional feature in your home. You can also alter the color of your chimney. Black is a popular choice since it looks great and goes with a lot of homes. Another option is to paint your fireplace white which lets light into the room and creates a bright and airy space. Gray is a popular choice that is compatible 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 style and its versatility. 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 hazards if they are not maintained and operated properly. They release fine particles that can get into the lungs, causing lung disease. They also release harmful air pollutants such as carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds. Wood smoke is a major contributor to climate change by emitting carbon dioxide and methane. The flue in a wood stove must be inspected and cleaned regularly to ensure that it's functioning properly. A clean, functioning flue will help to stop dangerous carbon monoxide leaks and chimney fires. If the flue liner is deteriorating it is recommended to replace it or repaired immediately. It is also important to keep any combustible material away from the wood stove, including curtains, drapes and other flammable objects. Cross-ventilation is an excellent method to move warm air around the home to ensure that it doesn't end up back up the chimney. Ashes must be removed from the fireplace on a regular basis to prevent them from building up too deep and obstructing air flow. Too much ash will reduce the oxygen supply to logs, reducing combustion efficiency and resulting in more smoke. The ashes can be kept in a metal container or a similar noncombustible container. Keep children away from the area around the fireplace, particularly if there is glass front. Children can be burned by touching the hot surfaces after and during an fire. The various tools employed to maintain fireplaces, like shovels, pokers log lifers, brushes and shovels, can also be dangerous for children to handle. A three-foot “safety zone” is recommended around the fireplace to avoid children accidentally coming into contact with it. Installing a carbon monoxide alarm and detector in your home is a good idea too especially if you have wood stove. Carbon monoxide can accumulate when the chimney and wood stove aren't operating properly, and is poisonous to breathe. In addition, it is essential to check state, local and tribal regulations for wood-burning fireplaces. These rules could include rules regarding odors and nuisances, “no-burn” days and visible emissions or opacity limits on smoke coming from chimneys of homeowners. These laws are often focused on reducing air pollution and are in place to protect public health.