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Maintaining a Wood Burning Fireplace Nothing warms a house like the sound of a wood burning fireplace. It is crucial to keep your fireplace clean to avoid the risk of creosote buildup. A damper is an essential component of maintaining a healthy combustion. Hardwoods such as oak and ash create less creosote. Energy Efficiency Wood fireplaces are a beautiful amenity that creates a cozy atmosphere and also provides heat. They aren't efficient in terms of energy and can cause harmful air pollution if not maintained properly. The condition and the quality of your chimney system, and installation could have a significant impact on the overall efficiency. The main fuel used in a traditional wood-burning stove is firewood, which is typically purchased in a face or full cord (measured at 4'x8'x8'). Before burning firewood, it should be “seasoned” to reduce its water content and increase its energy density. If the wood is wet, it won't burn efficiently and will produce a lot of creosote. Seasoning wood can last for months or even a year depending on the weather and climate conditions. Wood burning fireplaces require a significant investment of time and money to ensure they are maintained properly. Apart from purchasing a large quantity of firewood, homeowners must regularly clean and inspect their fireplaces to ensure that the chimney is free of obstructions and operating properly and that combustible materials aren't stored in close proximity to the unit. Regular cleanings and inspections will help to reduce the risk of room and chimney fires. The smoke from a wood-burning fire place is a source of fine particles that can cause lung damage and serious health issues including heart attacks, cardiovascular disease and lung diseases. It also releases airborne toxic pollutants such as nitrogen oxides as well as volatile organic compounds like formaldehyde, benzene and more. Wood smoke can contribute to the atmospheric depletion ozone, greenhouse gases and other pollutants that influence the earth's climate. Effective EPA-certified wood stoves employ an additional combustion process to limit the production of harmful emissions when firing. To optimize performance they require a properly sized chimney as well as installation of a flue lining. It is important to use well-seasoned wood and to avoid adding accelerants to the fire such as lighter liquid, gasoline or butane torch. This can cause overheated fire, creating a risky situation. To avoid termite infestation, homeowners should also store their firewood far away from the home. Cleanliness Wood-burning fire places are a great alternative to other heating methods. They also create a relaxing atmosphere. They can be used as primary or additional heating and may qualify you for tax credits. However, they can be messy and require regular cleaning to prevent creosote and soot accumulation. A dirty fireplace can emit toxins and unpleasant odors which can negatively impact the air quality in your home. When burning wood in the fireplace, it is important to use only dry firewood. Utilizing kiln dried firewood will help reduce creosote and soot buildup. Kiln dried firewood is processed 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 stored for a few months prior to use. Before lighting a fire, sweep up ash from the fireplace floor and around the smoke shelf and grate. Make sure that the ashes are cool before placing them in a metal waste bin for disposal. Make use of a brush or a brush to sweep and dispose of any other materials that have accumulated outside the flame. Wear gloves and an apron while cleaning a fireplace to protect yourself from dust, soot and dirt that will be created. To protect your furniture from stains, you should clean the area thoroughly and cover it with drop cloths. Wear a dust mask so that you don't inhale any ash or particles of soot. Start by filling an enormous bucket with one gallon of warm water. Add 3.8 teaspoons of trisodium (TSP) and one cup of bleach and two tablespoons of ammonia from your home. Mix the mixture well, and then use a nylon brush to scrub the walls of your fireplace and the surrounding areas. After scrubbing, use clean, damp cloth to wipe and wash the cleaning solution off. Repeat the scrubbing and wiping procedure until all visible deposits are removed from your fireplace. When you are satisfied with the cleanliness of your fireplace, clean down any glass doors with an approved glass cleaner for wood burning stoves. Aesthetics Wood fireplaces are beautiful that modern propane or gas fireplaces cannot match. The rustic appearance of fireplaces made of wood, the crackling sound of a fire roaring and the cozy atmosphere they create have stood the test of time. Many people look for this feature when purchasing fireplaces. Wood-burning fireplaces can be excellent for heating your home, but they also emit harmful gases. They release carbon monoxide and smoke that could cause lung damage. While the fireplaces are usually well-ventilated, it is important to have a system in place to assist in the elimination of these toxins. Many prefer a zero clearance design for wood-burning fireplaces as they reduce the amount harmful gasses that enter their home. There are a variety of ways to make your fireplace more attractive and distinctive. You can choose to use reclaimed wood to give it a more rustic feel or you could opt to paint it to fit with the decor of your living space. You can also add an edifice of stone that leads up to the fireplace, which creates an exciting and functional element in your home. You can also change the color of your chimney. Black is a popular choice since it looks great and goes with the majority of homes. Alternatively, you can paint your fireplace white, which opens up the room and creates a bright and airy environment. Gray is a popular color that is compatible with a variety of styles and is trendy. Some homeowners mix beige and grey together, also referred to as greige, to highlight the 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 If they are not maintained and operated in a safe manner Wood burning fireplaces that are not properly maintained and operated can be a serious risk to safety. They release smoke, which is a fine particle of pollution that can penetrate deeply into the lungs, causing lung illnesses and other health issues. They also release hazardous air pollutants such as carbon monoxide volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides and benzene. Wood smoke is a major contributor to climate change by releasing methane and carbon dioxide. The flue of a wood stove needs to be cleaned and inspected regularly to ensure it is functioning correctly. A clean, efficient flue can help stop dangerous carbon monoxide leaks and chimney fires. If the flue's liner is becoming worn, it should be replaced or repaired immediately. Be exterior wood stove to keep flammable objects like drapes, curtains, and other flammable objects, away from the wood stove. It is a good idea to set up cross-ventilation which assists in moving warm air throughout the house so that it doesn't rush back up the chimney. Ashes should be swept out of the fireplace frequently to keep them from accumulating too deep and obstructing air flow. A lot of ash can impede the flow of oxygen to logs and reduce the efficiency of combustion, which results in more smoke. The ashes should be placed in a bucket made of steel or other noncombustible container. Children should be kept out from the fireplace particularly in the case of glass front. Children can be burned if they touch the hot surfaces while they are in an fire. The many tools employed to maintain fireplaces such as pokers, shovels log lifers, brushes, and others can be hazardous for children to handle. To stop children from accidentally contacting the fireplace, an “safety area” of three feet must be set up around the fireplace. It is an excellent idea to install a carbon monoxide detector and alarm in the home, particularly in the case of a wood stove. Carbon monoxide can build up when the chimney and wood stove are not functioning correctly, and it is poisonous to breathe. Finally, it is important to be aware of the state, local, and tribal regulations regarding wood-burning fireplaces. These regulations could include rules governing nuisances and odors, “no-burn days” and limitations on visible emissions or the opacity of smoke coming from chimneys. These laws are usually designed to reduce air pollution and safeguard public health.