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Maintaining a Wood Burning Fireplace Nothing warms a house like the crackle of a wood-burning fireplace. If you have one, it is essential to keep it maintained regularly to avoid dangerous creosote build-ups. A damper is an essential component of maintaining a healthy combustion. wood burner like oak and ash produce less creosote. Energy Efficiency Wood fireplaces are a stunning design that creates a cozy ambience and also warmth. However, they are not efficient in terms of energy efficiency and can cause harmful air pollution if not properly maintained. The condition and quality of your chimney, firebox system, and installation could have a significant impact on the efficiency of your entire system. The primary fuel source for a wood-burning stove. It is typically bought in face cords or full cords (measured as 4'x8”x8”) It is essential to “seasoned” to lower the water content and increase its energy density before use. If the wood is not sufficiently moist, it will not burn efficiently and can create many creosote. Seasoning wood can last for months or even a full year dependent on the weather and climate conditions. A wood burning fireplace requires a substantial investment in terms of both money and time to maintain it in a proper manner. In addition to purchasing a large amount of firewood, owners should regularly clean and inspect their fireplace. This is to ensure that the chimney is free of obstructions, that it is operating well, and that there is there is no combustible material near the unit. Regular cleaning and inspections will reduce the chance of chimney fires as well as room fires. Smoke from a wood-burning fireplace has fine particles, which can damage the lungs and cause serious health problems including lung disease, heart attacks and cardiovascular disease. It also releases airborne toxic pollutants like nitrogen oxides as well as volatile organic compounds like benzene, and formaldehyde. Wood smoke may contribute to the depletion of oxygen in the atmosphere, greenhouse gases and other pollutants that influence the earth's climate. Effective EPA certified wood stoves employ a second combustion process to reduce harmful emissions during the firing. To ensure optimal performance, these stoves require the proper size chimney as well as the installation of a flue lined. It is also essential to buy seasoned firewood and avoid the temptation to add accelerants such as lighter fluid, gasoline or butane torch to the fire, as it can cause fire to become too hot and lead to a hazardous situation. To prevent termite invasion homeowners should also store their firewood in a safe location away from their homes. Cleanliness Wood-burning fireplaces are a relaxing alternative to other forms of heating and offer ambiance 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 avoid soot and creosote buildup. A fireplace that is not cleaned can release harmful odors and toxic substances, which can affect the air quality inside your home. When burning wood in a fireplace, it is crucial to use only dry firewood. Kiln dried firewood helps reduce creosote buildup as well as soot. Kiln dried firewood can be treated in a heated oven, or kiln, to eliminate all of its moisture content. It is recommended to only burn clean well-seasoned (burned) wood that is split and stacked for a few months prior to use. Before lighting a flame, remove the ash from the floor of the fireplace and the area around the smoke shelf. Make sure that the ashes are completely cool before placing them in an aluminum waste bin for disposal. Use a dustpan or whisk Broom to sweep away any other stray materials that have accumulated outside the fire. Wear gloves and an apron when cleaning a fireplace to protect yourself from dust, soot, and dirt that will be created. It is recommended to clear the working space and cover any adjacent furniture with drop cloths in order to protect against staining. Wear a mask to ensure that you don't breathe in ash or particles of soot. Fill a large bucket up with warm water. Add 3.8 tablespoons of trisodiumphosphate (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 other areas of your fireplace. After scrubbing the walls and surrounding areas of your fireplace, clean it off with a damp, clean cloth. Repeat the scrubbing, rinsing and wiping until all visible stains are eliminated from your fireplace. When you are satisfied with the cleanness of your fireplace, scrub down any glass doors with a glass cleaner that is safe for stoves that burn wood. Aesthetics Wood fireplaces have a look that modern propane or gas fireplaces cannot match. Their rustic appearance, the crackling sound of a roaring fire and their cozy feel create a cozy atmosphere that has stood the test of time. This is a feature that a lot of people seek when looking for fireplaces. While wood-burning fireplaces are great for heat however, they also release harmful gases into your home. Smoke, carbon monoxide and other gases can damage your lungs. It is crucial to have an effective system to eliminate these toxins, even if fireplaces are well ventilated. Many prefer zero clearance designs for wood-burning fireplaces because they can reduce the amount of harmful gases in their home. There are many different ways to design your wood fireplace to make it more unique and aesthetic. You can paint it to be in line with the interior decor of your living space or use reclaimed wood to give it a more rustic look. You can also add an edifice of stone that leads to the fireplace, creating a fun and functional feature in your home. You can also change the color of your chimney. A popular choice is black, which looks stunning and is a perfect match for most homes. Another option is to paint your fireplace in white, which opens up the space and creates bright and airy environment. Gray is another option that is compatible with a variety of styles and is a modern trend. Some homeowners mix beige and grey together, also referred to as greige, to highlight 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 concerns if they're not maintained and operated properly. They release smoke that has fine particles of pollution that can get into the lungs, causing lung diseases and other health problems. They also release harmful air pollutants such as carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds. Wood smoke is a major contributor to climate change by releasing methane and carbon dioxide. The flue of a wood stove must be cleaned and inspected regularly to ensure it is functioning properly. A clean, functioning flue can help prevent dangerous carbon monoxide leaks and chimney fires. If the flue liner is deteriorating, it should be replaced or repaired as soon as possible. It is also important to keep combustible materials away from the wood stove, including curtains, drapes and other items that are flammable. It is a good idea to install cross-ventilation, which allows warm air throughout the home so that it doesn't rush back up the chimney. Ashes should be swept out of the fireplace frequently to avoid them accumulating too deep and obstructing air flow. Too much ash will reduce the oxygen supply for logs, which will reduce the efficiency of combustion and resulting in more smoke. The ashes must be kept in a metal bucket or any other non-combustible container. Children should be kept out from the fireplace area, especially if it has an open glass front. If they come in contact with hot surfaces, both during and after the fire, they can be burned. In addition, the many different tools employed to maintain a fireplace like brushes, pokers, log lifers, and shovels, are dangerous for kids to handle. A three-foot “safety zone” should be established around the fireplace to stop children coming in contact with it. It is an excellent idea to install a carbon monoxide detector and alarm in the home, particularly if there is a wood stove. Carbon monoxide can be poisonous and accumulate when the wood stove and chimney are not functioning properly. It is also crucial to verify the state, local, and tribal regulations on wood-burning fireplaces. These may include nuisance/odor rules, “no-burn” days and visible emission limits or opacity limits for the smoke that is emitted from chimneys of homeowners. These laws are typically focused on reducing air pollution and are put in place to protect the health of the public.