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Maintaining a Wood Burning Fireplace Nothing warms a home like the sound of a wood-burning fireplace. It is essential to keep your fireplace in good condition to avoid dangerous creosote buildup. A damper is an essential part of maintaining a good combustion. Hardwoods such as oak and ash produce less creosote. Energy Efficiency Wood fireplaces can be an attractive amenity, creating an inviting and warm ambience. However, they are not efficient in energy use and can result in harmful air pollution if they aren't properly maintained. The condition and the quality of your firebox, chimney system, and installation can be a major factor in the efficiency of your entire system. The main fuel source for a traditional wood-burning stove is firewood, which is usually purchased in a face or a full cord (measured at 4'x8'x8'). The wood must be “seasoned” to reduce the water content and increase its energy density prior to its use. If the wood is too wet, it will not burn as efficiently and could cause many creosote. Seasoning wood can take months or even a whole year dependent on the weather and the conditions of the climate. A wood burning fireplace requires a significant investment in terms of both money and time to keep it running 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 operating properly and that any combustible material is not stored close to the fireplace. portable wood burning stove and inspections will help reduce the risk for fireplace and room fires. Smoke from wood-burning stoves is a source of fine particle pollution which can harm the lungs and cause serious health issues like lung disease, cardiovascular disease and heart attacks. It also releases carbon monoxide as well as other toxic air pollutants like volatile organic compounds nitrogen oxides, benzene, and formaldehyde. Wood smoke can contribute to the depletion of ozone in the atmosphere and greenhouse gases, as well as other pollutants that can affect the earth's climate. Wood stoves that are EPA-certified efficient use secondary combustion to minimize the production of harmful emissions during the firing. To maximize performance they require the proper size chimney as well as installation of a flue liner. It is also crucial to purchase seasoned firewood, and beware of the temptation to add accelerants like gasoline, lighter fluid or butane torch to the fire as they can add fuel to the fire and create a dangerous situation. To stop termite infestations, homeowners should also store their firewood away from their homes. Cleanliness Wood-burning fireplaces provide a comfortable alternative to other types of heating and offer ambiance that creates a relaxing atmosphere. They can be used as primary or as supplemental heat and could be eligible for tax credits. However, they can be messy and require regular cleaning to avoid creosote and soot accumulation. A dirty fireplace can emit toxic odors and toxins which can negatively impact the air quality in your home. The most important thing to remember when using a wood fireplace is to always make use of dry firewood. Using kiln dried firewood will help reduce creosote and soot buildup. Kiln dried wood is processed by heating or kiln to get rid of all moisture. It is recommended only to burn clean, seasoned wood that has been cut into pieces and then stacked for several months before use. Before lighting a fire, sweep up ash from the fireplace floor and around the smoke shelf and grate. Make sure the ashes are cool before scooping them into a metal waste bin for disposal. Utilizing the whisk or a dust pan, broom, also sweep and dump any other stray debris that has accumulated around the fireplace. When cleaning a fireplace, be sure to wear gloves and an apron to shield yourself from the dirt and soot that is produced. You should clear a working space and cover any nearby furniture with drop cloths to guard against staining. Wear a mask to ensure that you don't breathe in soot or ash particles. Begin by filling an enormous bucket with one gallon of 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 in the solution and scrub the walls and areas of your fireplace. After you have scrubbed the walls and the surrounding areas of your fireplace, clean it off with an aqueous, damp cloth. Repeat the scrubbing, rinsing and wiping until all visible stains are cleared from your fireplace. Once you're satisfied with the cleanliness, employ the glass cleaner that's safe for wood-burning stoves to clean the glass doors. Aesthetics Wood fireplaces are stunning and aren't able to be compared with modern propane or gas fireplaces. Their rustic look, crackling sounds of a roaring fire and their warm feel create an atmosphere that has long stood the test of time. Many people look for this feature when buying a fireplace. Wood-burning fireplaces are great for heating your home however, they also release dangerous gasses. Carbon monoxide, smoke and other gases can damage your lungs. While the fireplaces are usually well-ventilated, it is important to have a system in place to aid in eliminating these toxins. Many people prefer a zero clearance design for wood burning fireplaces, because they can reduce the amount of harmful gases that are present in their homes. There are many ways to make your fireplace more appealing and distinctive. You can use reclaimed wood to give the fireplace a more rustic appearance or you could opt to paint it to complement the decor of your living room. You can also build an edifice of stone that leads to the fireplace, which is an interesting and practical feature in your home. You can also alter your chimney's color. The most popular color is black, which looks stunning and complements the majority of homes. Alternatively, you can paint your fireplace white which opens up the room and creates a bright and airy space. Gray is a popular color that is compatible with a variety of styles and is trendy. Some homeowners mix beige and grey together, also known as greige, to show 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 issues if not properly maintained and operated. They emit fine particle pollution that can get into the lungs and trigger lung diseases. They also release harmful air pollutants, including carbon monoxide volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides and benzene. Wood smoke also contributes to climate change through the release of carbon dioxide and methane. The flue of a wood stove needs to be cleaned and inspected regularly to ensure it is functioning correctly. A clean and well-functioning chimney flue can help prevent dangerous carbon monoxide leaking and chimney fires. If the flue liner is degrading it is recommended to replace it or repaired immediately. It is also crucial to keep all combustible items away from the wood stove, which includes drapes, curtains and other items that are flammable. It is a good idea to set up cross-ventilation which helps move warm air throughout the house so that it doesn't get pushed back up the chimney. Clean up the ashes regularly to keep them from blocking the airflow and accumulating too deeply. A lot of ash can reduce the oxygen supply to logs, which will reduce the efficiency of combustion and resulting in more smoke. The ashes can be kept in a metal container or a similar noncombustible container. Children should be kept out from the fireplace area, especially in the case of an open glass front. If they come in contact with hot surfaces, both during and after the fire, they may be burned. The various tools employed to maintain fireplaces like shovels, pokers log lifers, brushes, and others, can also be dangerous for children to handle. To stop children from getting into the fireplace accidentally, a “safety area” of three feet be created around it. Installing a carbon monoxide alarm as well as detector in your home is a good idea too particularly if you own a wood stove. Carbon monoxide can accumulate when the chimney and wood stove are not working properly, and is poisonous to breathe. It is also important to check the state, local, and tribal regulations on wood-burning fireplaces. These regulations might include rules regarding odors and nuisances, “no-burn” days and visible emissions/opacity limits for smoke coming from chimneys of homeowners. These laws are typically focused on reducing air pollution and are put in place to safeguard public health.