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Maintaining a Wood Burning Fireplace Nothing warms a house like the roar of a fireplace that is wood-burning. It is essential to keep your fireplace in good condition to avoid dangerous creosote buildup. A damper is an important component of maintaining a healthy combustion. Hardwoods like oak and ash produce less creosote. Energy Efficiency Wood fireplaces can be a beautiful design, generating a warm and cozy ambience. They are not energy-efficient and can cause harmful air pollution if not maintained in a timely manner. The kind of wood used the quality and condition of the firebox, the chimney installation and chimney can significantly impact the overall efficiency of the appliance. The main fuel source for a traditional wood-burning stove is firewood, which can be purchased in a face or full cord (measured at 4'x8'x8'). Firewood must be “seasoned” to reduce its water content and increase its energy density prior to use. If the wood is damp it will not burn as efficiently and will produce a lot of creosote. The process of preparing wood for seasoning can take months or even a whole year dependent on the weather and climate conditions. Wood burning fireplaces demand a significant investment of time and money to ensure they are maintained properly. In addition to buying a large amount of firewood, owners should regularly clean and inspect their fireplace. This is to ensure that the chimney is clear of obstructions, is working well, and that there is there is no combustible material close to the fireplace. Regular inspections and cleanings will help to reduce the risk of fireplace and room fires. The smoke from a wood-burning fireplace is a source of fine particles that can cause lung damage and serious health problems such as heart attacks, cardiovascular diseases, and lung disease. It also releases carbon monoxide as well as other air pollutants that are toxic, such as volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, benzene and formaldehyde. Wood smoke contributes to atmospheric reductions in greenhouse gases and ozone which can impact the earth's climate. Effective EPA-certified wood stoves employ an additional combustion process to limit the production of harmful emissions during firing. These stoves also require a proper size chimney and the installation of flue liner to maximize performance. It is important to use wood that is well-seasoned and to avoid adding accelerants to the flame such as lighter liquid, gasoline or butane torch. This could cause a surge of fire, creating a risky situation. In addition homeowners should store their firewood away from their home to prevent termite infestation. Cleanliness Wood-burning fire places are a great alternative to other heating methods. They also create a peaceful atmosphere. They can be used as primary or supplemental heating and can be eligible for tax credits. They can be messy and require regular cleaning to avoid soot and creosote buildup. A fireplace that is not cleaned can release toxins and unpleasant odors which can negatively impact the air quality in your home. When burning wood in a fireplace, it is essential to use dry firewood. Kiln dried firewood helps reduce creosote accumulation and soot. Kiln dried wood is processed by heating or kiln to remove all moisture. It is best to only use clean well-seasoned wood that has been split into pieces and then stacked for several months prior to using. Before lighting a flame, remove ash from the floor of the fireplace and the area around the smoke shelf. Make sure you wait until the ashes are cool completely before you dump them into a metal bin. Using an empty pan or a whisk broom, also sweep and dump any other stray debris that has accumulated around the fireplace. When cleaning wood burning stoves near me , be sure to wear gloves and an apron to shield yourself from the dust and soot that will be produced. To keep your furniture safe from stains, clear the area and cover it with drop cloths. Wear a dust mask so that you don't inhale any ash or particles of soot. Begin by filling the bucket with a gallon of warm water. Add 3.8 tablespoons of trisodium phosphate (TSP), 1 cup of bleach and 2 tablespoons of household ammonia. Mix the solution well, then use a nylon brush to scrub the fireplace's walls and the surrounding areas. After scrubbing the walls and the surrounding areas of your fireplace, clean it off with a damp, clean cloth. Repeat the scrubbing, wiping and cleaning process until all visible deposits have been removed from your fireplace. Once you are satisfied with the cleanness of your fireplace, clean down any glass doors using a glass cleaner safe for stoves that burn wood. Aesthetics Wood fireplaces are beautiful that modern gas or propane fire places can't match. Their rustic look, crackling sound of a roaring fire and their cozy feel create a cozy ambience that has stood the test of time. This is a feature that a lot of people are looking for when they are looking for a fireplace. Wood-burning fireplaces can be great for heating your home however, they also release harmful gasses. These include carbon monoxide and smoke that can harm your lungs. While the fireplaces are usually well-ventilated, it is important to have a system in place to help get rid of these toxins. This is why a lot of people prefer a zero clearance wood burning fireplace, as it helps reduce the quantity of harmful gases that are present in your home. There are many different ways to design your fireplace to create a unique aesthetic. You can make use of reclaimed wood to give the fireplace a more rustic appearance, or you can choose to paint it to complement the decor of your living room. You can also include an uphill stone staircase that is connected to the fireplace. This will create a functional and fun feature in your home. You can also alter the color of your chimney. Black is a popular choice as it looks fantastic and works with the majority of homes. You can also paint your fireplace white to make the room appear larger and create a bright, airy atmosphere. Gray is a popular color that goes with many styles and is currently trending. Some homeowners blend grey and beige together, also referred to as greige, to highlight 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 cause serious safety concerns if they're not maintained and operated properly. They emit fine particle pollution which can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause lung diseases. They also release dangerous air pollutants such as carbon monoxide and 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 regularly cleaned and inspected to ensure that it functions correctly. A clean and functioning chimney flue can help keep carbon monoxide from leaking into the air and chimney fires. If the flue lining is deteriorating it should be repaired or replaced immediately. It is also important to keep any combustible material away from the wood stove, such as drapes, curtains and other flammable items. It is a good idea to set up cross-ventilation which allows warm air through the house to ensure that it doesn't rush back up the chimney. Clean up the ashes regularly to prevent them from blocking airflow and becoming too large in size. Too much ash will reduce the oxygen supply for logs, which can reduce the efficiency of combustion and resulting in more smoke. The ashes must be kept in a bucket made of steel or other noncombustible container. Keep children away from the area around the fireplace, especially when there is a glass front. Children can be burned when they touch hot surfaces after and during the fire. In addition, the different tools employed to maintain a fireplace like brushes, pokers, log lifers and shovels, can be dangerous for kids to handle. A three-foot “safety zone” is recommended around the fireplace to stop children accidentally coming into contact with it. It is also a good idea to install an carbon monoxide detector as well as an alarm in the home, particularly in the case of a wood stove. Carbon monoxide is poisonous and may be a problem in the wood stove if the chimney are not functioning properly. In addition, it is essential to check the state, local and tribal regulations for wood-burning fireplaces. These regulations might include odor or nuisance rules, “no-burn” days and visible emission limits or opacity limits for smoke from homeowners' chimneys. These laws are often designed to reduce air pollution and safeguard public health.