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You've Forgotten Wood Burning Fireplace: 10 Reasons Why You Don't Need It Maintaining a Wood Burning Fireplace Nothing is more welcoming than the crackle of a wood-burning fireplace. It is essential to keep your fireplace clean to avoid the risk of creosote buildup. A damper is an essential element in maintaining a high quality combustion. Hardwoods like oak and ash produce less creosote. Energy Efficiency Wood fireplaces can be an attractive amenity, creating an inviting and warm atmosphere. 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 chimney, firebox system, and installation could be a major factor in the overall efficiency. Firewood is the primary fuel source for wood-burning stoves. It is typically bought in face cords or full cords (measured as 4'x8"x8") Before using firewood, it must be "seasoned" to reduce the amount of water in it and increase its energy density. If the wood is wet it will not burn as efficiently and will produce a lot of creosote. Seasoning wood can take months or even a year dependent on the weather and the climate. Wood burning fireplaces demand a significant investment of time and money to maintain them properly. In addition, to purchasing large quantities of firewood, owners should regularly check and clean their fireplace. This is to ensure that the chimney is free of obstructions, is working well, and that there is there isn't any combustible materials close to the fireplace. Regular cleaning and inspections help reduce the risk for room and chimney fires. Smoke from a wood-burning fireplace contains fine particle pollution, which can damage the lungs and lead to serious health issues like lung disease, cardiovascular disease and heart attacks. It also releases carbon monoxide as well as other toxic air pollutants including volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, benzene, and formaldehyde. Wood smoke is a contributor to the atmospheric depletion ozone as well as greenhouse gases and other pollutants that can alter the climate of the earth. Efficient EPA certified wood stoves use an additional combustion process to minimize harmful emissions during the firing. These stoves also require a proper size chimney and the installation of flue liner to maximize performance. 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 they can add fuel to the fire and cause a risky situation. To stop termite infestations homeowners should also store their firewood far away from their homes. Cleanliness Wood-burning fireplaces offer a cozy alternative to other forms of heating. They also provide ambiance that creates a relaxing ambience. They can be used for primary or additional heating and can 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 toxins and unpleasant odors that can impact the quality of air in your home. The most important thing to remember when using in a wood fireplace is to use dry firewood. Kiln dried firewood can help reduce creosote buildup as well as soot. Kiln dried firewood can be treated in a heated oven or kiln to remove all of its moisture content. It is best to only burn clean well-seasoned wood that has been sliced into pieces and then stacked for several months prior to use. Before starting a fire, clean up the ash from the fireplace floor and around the smoke shelf and grate. Make sure you wait until the ashes are cool completely before dumping them in a metal bin. Use a dustpan or whisk brush to sweep and dispose of any other debris that may have accumulated outside the flame. Wear gloves and an apron when cleaning a fireplace to protect yourself from dust, soot, and dirt that can be accumulated. It is important to clear a work space and cover any adjacent furniture with drop cloths in order to protect against staining. Wear a dust mask to ensure you don't breathe in any particles of soot or ash. Fill a large bucket with warm water. Add 3.8 tablespoons of trisodiumphosphate (TSP) 1 cup of bleach and 2 tablespoons of household ammonia. Mix the solution well, then employ a nylon brush to scrub the walls of your fireplace and the surrounding areas. After scrubbing, use clean damp cloth to wipe and clean the cleaning solution. Repeat the scrubbing, rinse and wiping until all visible deposits are cleared from your fireplace. Once you are satisfied with the cleanliness of your fireplace, wipe down any glass doors with an approved glass cleaner for stoves that burn wood. Aesthetics Wood fireplaces are beautiful and cannot be compared to modern gas or propane fireplaces. The rustic look of wood fireplaces, the crackling sound of a burning fire and the cozy feeling they provide have stood the test of time. Many people search for this feature when buying a fireplace. Wood-burning fireplaces are excellent to heat your home however, they also release dangerous gasses. These include carbon monoxide as well as smoke that can cause lung damage. It is essential to have an effective system to eliminate these toxins, even if fireplaces are well ventilated. This is why a lot of people prefer using a zero clearance wood burning fireplace design to reduce the quantity of harmful gases that are present in your home. There are several ways to make your fireplace more attractive and unique. You can paint it to match the interior decor of your living space or use reclaimed wooden to give it a more rustic appearance. You can also add an uphill stone staircase to your fireplace. This will make an attractive and functional feature in your home. You can also alter the color of your chimney. A popular choice is black, which looks stunning and is a perfect match for most homes. Alternatively, you can paint your fireplace white which opens up the space and creates bright and airy space. Gray is a different option that can be paired with a variety of styles and is a contemporary trend. Some homeowners blend grey and beige together, which is also known 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 cause serious safety issues if not properly maintained and operated. They emit fine particle pollution which can penetrate deep into the lungs and trigger lung diseases. They also release harmful air pollutants, such as carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds. Wood smoke is a major contributor to climate change by emitting carbon dioxide and methane. The flue of a wood stove must be regularly cleaned and inspected to ensure it is functioning correctly. wood burning stove outdoor , functioning flue will help to keep carbon monoxide leaks from becoming dangerous and chimney fires. If the flue liner is degrading it is recommended to replace it or repaired immediately. It is also crucial to keep any combustible material away from the wood stove, including curtains, drapes and other flammable items. It is recommended to install cross-ventilation, which assists in moving warm air through the house so that it doesn't get pushed back up the chimney. Ashes must be removed of the fireplace frequently to keep them from accumulating too deeply and obstructing air flow. A lot of ash can impede the flow of oxygen to the logs, and reduce the efficiency of combustion, which results in more smoke. The ashes can be kept in a container made of metal or in a non-combustible container. Be sure to keep children away from the area around the fireplace, particularly in the case of a glass front. They can get burns if they touch the hot surfaces during and after a fire. The numerous tools employed to maintain fireplaces such as pokers, shovels, log lifers and brushes are also dangerous for children to handle. A three-foot "safety zone" is recommended around the fireplace to prevent children coming in contact with it. It is also a good idea to install a carbon monoxide detector and alarm in your home, particularly if there is wood stove. Carbon monoxide is poisonous and may accumulate if the wood stove and chimney are not working properly. In addition, it is essential to be aware of the state, local, and tribal regulations regarding wood-burning fireplaces. These regulations might include odor or nuisance rules, "no-burn" days and visible emissions/opacity limits for smoke from homeowners' chimneys. These laws are usually focused on reducing pollution in the air and are in place to safeguard public health.
Website: https://www.fireplacesandstove.com/categories/wood-burning-stoves
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