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Maintaining a Wood Burning Fireplace The sound of a fireplace with wood is a great method to warm up a home. It is important to keep your fireplace in good condition to avoid the risk of creosote buildup. A damper is an important element in maintaining a high quality combustion. Hardwoods such as oak and ash are less likely to produce creosote. Energy Efficiency Wood fireplaces are a stunning amenity that creates a cozy ambiance and provides warmth. However, they are not energy efficient and can create polluting air if they are not properly maintained. The condition and the quality of your chimney, firebox system, and installation could have a significant impact on the efficiency of your entire system. The main fuel source for a traditional wood burning stove is firewood, which is typically bought in a face cord or a full cord (measured at 4'x8'x8'). Before burning firewood, it must be “seasoned”, to reduce the amount of water and increase its energy density. If the wood is not sufficiently moist it will not be able to burn efficiently and can create lots of creosote. Seasoning wood can take months or even a full year, depending on weather and climate conditions. Wood burning fireplaces demand a significant investment of time and money to keep them correctly. Aside from buying a large amount of firewood, homeowners must regularly clean and inspect their fireplaces to ensure the chimney is free of obstructions and that it's working properly, and that combustible materials are not stored close to the unit. Regular cleaning and inspections can help reduce the risk of chimney fires as well as room fires. The smoke from a wood-burning fire place contains fine particles that can cause lung damage and serious health problems including heart attacks, cardiovascular diseases and lung disease. It also releases harmful air pollutants, including nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde and benzene. Wood smoke is a contributor to the atmospheric depletion ozone as well as greenhouse gases and other pollutants that could affect the earth's climate. Efficiency EPA certified wood stoves employ a second combustion process to reduce harmful emissions during the firing. To maximize performance they require an appropriately sized chimney as well as the installation of a flue lined. It is also important to buy seasoned firewood and resist the temptation to add accelerants like lighter fluid, gasoline or butane torch to the fire, as it can cause fire to become too hot and cause a risky situation. In addition homeowners should keep their firewood outside of the house to help prevent termite infestation. Cleanliness Wood-burning fireplaces offer a cozy alternative to other types of heating. They also create a warm and inviting atmosphere that creates a relaxing atmosphere. They can be used as primary or as supplemental heat and could be eligible for tax credits. They can be messy and require regular cleaning in order to prevent creosote and soot buildup. A dirty fireplace can create unpleasant odors and toxins and can affect the quality of air in the home. The most important thing to remember when using a fireplace made of wood is to use dry firewood. Kiln dried firewood aids in reducing creosote buildup and soot. Kiln dried wood is then treated in an oven or kiln to eliminate all moisture. It is recommended to only burn clean and seasoned (burned) wood that has been split and stored for a few 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 the ashes are completely cool prior to scooping them into the metal waste bin for disposal. Use a dustpan or whisk brush to sweep and dispose of any other debris that may have accumulated outside of the fire. When cleaning a fireplace, be sure to wear gloves and an apron to protect yourself from the dust and soot that is generated. To keep your furniture safe from stains, clear the area and cover it with drop cloths. Wear a dust mask so you don't breathe in any soot or ash particles. Start 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 the solution well, and then use a nylon brush scrub the walls of your fireplace and the surrounding areas. After scrubbing the walls and surrounding areas of your fireplace, wipe it off with an aqueous, damp cloth. Repeat the scrubbing, rinsing and wiping until all visible deposits are removed from your fireplace. Once you are satisfied with the cleanliness of your fireplace, scrub off any glass doors with a glass cleaner safe for stoves with wood burning. Aesthetics Wood fireplaces are stunning and aren't able to be compared with modern propane or gas fireplaces. The rustic look of wood fireplaces as well as the roar of a fire roaring and the cozy feeling they create have stood the test time. Many people look for this feature when purchasing a fireplace. Wood-burning fireplaces can be excellent for heating your home, but they also emit dangerous gasses. These include carbon monoxide as well as smoke that could harm your lungs. While the fireplaces are usually well ventilated, it is essential to have a system in place that can help get rid of these harmful substances. Many people prefer zero clearance designs for fireplaces that burn wood, because they can reduce the amount of harmful gasses that enter their home. There are several ways to make your wood fireplace more appealing and unique. You can paint it to fit the style of your living room or use reclaimed wooden to give it an even more rustic appearance. You can also add a stone staircase that leads up to the fireplace, which creates an interesting and practical feature in your home. You can also change the color of your chimney. used wood burning stoves for sale is black, which looks stunning and matches most homes. You can also paint your fireplace white to make the room appear larger and create a fresh airy ambience. Gray is a popular choice that goes with many styles and is trendy. 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 hazards if they are not properly maintained and operated. They release fine particles that can get into the lungs and trigger lung disease. They also release hazardous air pollutants like carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds. nitrogen oxides, and benzene. Wood smoke contributes to climate change by release of carbon dioxide and methane. The flue of a wood stove should be cleaned and inspected regularly to ensure it is working as it should. A clean and functional chimney flue can help prevent dangerous carbon monoxide leaking and chimney fires. If the flue's liner is becoming worn, it should be repaired or replaced immediately. Keep flammable items, such as curtains, drapes and other items that are flammable, away from the wood stove. Cross-ventilation is a great way to circulate warm air throughout the house so it doesn't go back up the chimney. Ashes should be cleared of the fireplace regularly to keep them from accumulating too deep and obstructing air flow. A lot of ash can impede the oxygen supply to the logs, and reduce the efficiency of combustion, which causes more smoke. The ashes can be stored in a metal container or another noncombustible container. Children should be kept away from the fireplace, especially in the case of an open glass front. If they touch hot surfaces, both during and after the fire, they may be burned. In addition, the different tools used to maintain a fireplace, such as brushes, pokers, log lifers and shovels, are hazardous for children to handle. To stop children from falling into the fire and causing harm, an “safety area” of three feet should be set up around the fireplace. It is also a good idea to install an carbon monoxide detector and alarm in the home, especially if there is wood stove. Carbon monoxide is a hazard when the chimney and wood stove are not operating properly, and is poisonous to breathe. Finally, it is important to be aware of the state, local, and tribal regulations regarding wood-burning fireplaces. These regulations may include rules regarding nuisances and odors, “no-burn days” and limits on visible emissions, or opacity of smoke coming from chimneys. These laws are typically designed to reduce air pollution and are in place to protect public health.