voicepint4

Maintaining a Wood Burning Fireplace Nothing warms a home like the roar of a wood burning fireplace. It is important to keep your fireplace clean to avoid dangerous creosote buildup. Airflow can be controlled using dampers which is a vital part of maintaining efficient combustion. Hardwoods such as oak and ash produce less creosote. Energy Efficiency Wood fireplaces are a stunning feature that creates a warm atmosphere and also provides heat. They aren't energy efficient and can contribute to pollutant emissions if not maintained correctly. The kind of wood used as well as the condition and quality of the firebox, chimney system and installation can greatly affect the overall efficiency of the unit. Firewood is the main fuel source for a wood-burning stove. It is usually purchased in face cords or full cords (measured as 4'x8”x8”) Before using firewood, it needs to be “seasoned”, to reduce the amount of water and increase its energy density. If the wood is moist it won't burn effectively and will produce a lot of creosote. The process of preparing wood for seasoning can take months or even a whole year, depending on weather and the conditions of the climate. Wood burning fireplaces demand a significant investment of time and money to ensure they are maintained correctly. Aside from buying a large quantity of firewood, homeowners must regularly clean and inspect their fireplaces to ensure the chimney is free from obstructions and operating properly and that combustible materials aren't stored close to the fireplace. Regular cleaning and inspections can reduce the chance of chimney fires and room fires. The smoke that comes from wood-burning fireplaces has fine particles that could 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 like volatile organic compounds such as nitrogen oxides, benzene and formaldehyde. Wood smoke is a contributor to the depletion of oxygen in the atmosphere as well as greenhouse gases and other pollutants that could alter the climate of the earth. Wood stoves that are EPA-certified efficient use an additional combustion process to minimize the production of harmful emissions during firing. To optimize performance, these stoves require an appropriately sized chimney, as well as the installation of a flue lining. It is important to use seasoned wood and to avoid adding accelerants to the fire such as lighter liquid, gasoline or butane torch. This could cause a surge of fire, which can lead to a dangerous situation. To stop termite infestations, homeowners should also store their firewood far away from the home. Cleanliness Wood-burning fireplaces provide a comfortable alternative to other forms 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 could qualify for tax credits. They can be messy, and require regular cleaning to prevent creosote and soot buildup. A fireplace that is not cleaned can release harmful odors and toxic substances which can negatively impact the air quality in your home. When burning wood in an open fireplace, it's crucial to use only dry firewood. Utilizing kiln dried firewood will aid in reducing creosote and buildup. Kiln dried firewood can be treated in a heated oven or kiln to remove all of its moisture content. It is also a good idea to only burn clean well-seasoned (burned) wood that has been split and placed in a stack for a couple of months prior to use. Before lighting a fire remove the ash from the floor of the fireplace and the area around the smoke shelf. Make sure you wait until the ashes have cooled completely before dumping them in a metal bin. With the whisk or a dust pan, broom Also, sweep and dispose of any other stray debris that has accumulated around the fireplace. Wear gloves and an apron while cleaning a fireplace to shield yourself from dirt, soot and dust that can be accumulated. You should clear a working area and cover any nearby furniture with drop cloths to guard against staining. It is also recommended to wear a dust mask to prevent inhaling any ash or soot particles. Fill a large bucket with warm water. Add 3.8 tablespoons of trisodiumphosphate (TSP) 1 cup of bleach and 2 tablespoons of household ammonia. Mix the solution well, then use a nylon brush to scrub the walls of your fireplace and the surrounding areas. After scrubbing the walls and surrounding areas of your fireplace, wipe it off with a damp, clean cloth. Repeat the scrubbing, washing and wiping until all visible stains are eliminated from your fireplace. When you're satisfied with the cleanliness then make use of the glass cleaner that's safe for wood-burning stoves for cleaning any glass doors. Aesthetics Wood fireplaces are stunning and aren't able to be compared with modern propane or gas fireplaces. Their rustic appearance, the crackling sounds of a burning flame and their warm feel create a cozy ambience that has stood the test of time. Many people seek this feature when buying fireplaces. Wood-burning fireplaces can be great to heat your home, but they also emit dangerous gasses. 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 that can help get rid of these toxins. Many prefer zero clearance designs for wood-burning fireplaces because they can reduce the amount of harmful gasses that enter their home. There are many ways to design your wood fireplace to make it more unique and visually appealing. You can use recycled wood to give it a rustic look or you could opt to paint it to match your living room decor. You can also build an outdoor stone staircase that leads to the fireplace, creating an interesting and practical feature in your home. You can also change the color of your chimney. wood burning stove is black, which looks stunning and complements the majority of homes. Another option is to paint your fireplace in white which lets light into the space and creates bright and airy space. Gray is a popular option that goes with many styles and is trendy. Some homeowners even mix beige and gray together called 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. Safety Wood burning fireplaces can cause serious safety hazards if they are not properly maintained and operated. They release smoke that is a fine particle of pollution that can penetrate deeply into the lungs and 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 carbon dioxide and methane. The flue of a wood stove should be regularly inspected and cleaned to ensure that it's working as it should. A clean and functioning chimney flue can help prevent dangerous carbon monoxide leaking and chimney fires. If the flue is showing signs of wear, it must be repaired or replaced immediately. Keep flammable items like drapes, curtains, and other flammable objects, away from the wood stove. It is a good idea to set up cross-ventilation which helps move warm air through the house so that it doesn't flow back up the chimney. Clean up the ashes regularly to prevent them from becoming a block to airflow and then becoming too large in size. Too much ash will reduce the oxygen supply to logs, which can 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. Children should be kept out from the fireplace especially in the case of a glass front. If they come in contact with hot surfaces, both during and after the fire, they may be burned. In addition, the different tools used to maintain a fireplace, like pokers, log lifers and shovels, are dangerous for kids to handle. To prevent children from falling into the fire it is recommended that a “safety area” of three feet be created around it. Installing an alarm for carbon monoxide and detector in the house is a good idea too, especially if you have a wood stove. Carbon monoxide is poisonous and may accumulate when the wood stove and chimney are not functioning properly. It is also crucial to check the state, local, and tribal regulations on wood-burning fireplaces. These rules could include odor or nuisance rules, “no-burn” days and visible emission limits or opacity limits for the smoke that is emitted from chimneys of homeowners. These laws are often designed to reduce air pollution and protect public health.