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We have a lot of queries about why it is worth installing a gas fireplace and the particular reason to have one in your home.

As winter is arriving soon in Gaithersburg, MD, it is the right time to have a fully-functional gas fireplace. Or, if you already have it, contact your nearby service provider for your gas fireplace cleaning and repair.

However, in recent times, ventless natural gas fireplaces have been considered an elegant yet eco-friendly option, even though they are efficient and timeless for lasting joy in the home. There are plenty of other benefits of having a ventless gas fireplace; you’ll get instant heat, specific control, excellent safety, and many more.

There are plenty of reasons to have gas fireplaces in your home — if you want to discover how and why it is worth installing a gas fireplace.

If you are looking for an ideal regency fireplace, let us know, and we will provide you with the best fit for your home. Along with installation, we will provide you with gas fireplace servicing that includes; inspection, cleaning, sweeping, and fixing.

To get trustworthy services, schedule your appointment today, and let us take care of everything from the initial consultation to the final cleaning step.

However, if you are searching for gas fireplace experts near me, then you are in the right place; contact High’s Chimney. We are covering the vast areas of Maryland like; Fulton, Poolesville, Glenwood, Travilah, Rockville, Cloverly, Potomac, Gaithersburg, and many others.

Moving ahead, let’s discover in this blog why it is essential to have natural gas ventless fireplaces for your house or workplace.

Benefits of Gas & Ventless Fireplaces

The question raised here is why individuals prefer the new style of gas or ventless fireplaces compared to traditional wood fireplaces. These models have plenty of benefits; for example, they are great for reducing your carbon footprint since they don’t produce any emissions. They’re also great for energy efficiency, as they use less energy to heat up than traditional fireplaces.

As we mentioned above, gas fireplaces are an environment-friendly and efficient way to heat your home. It has a wood-burning stove that uses natural fuels like wood or coal, and they are perfect for you.

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Gas and Ventless fireplaces are even easy to manage yet pocket-friendly compared to traditional ones. If you want to know more about gas, ventless, or regency fireplace prices, then book your appointment with consultants from High’s Chimney.

Now read out the reasons why it is worth having a Gas Fireplace.

7 Reasons Why You Should Install a Gas Fireplace

Determining why and how inserting a gas fireplace is best for you is essential.

1.  Cozy and Attractive

Unlike a wood-burning fireplace, gas ventless fireplaces provide more coziness, comfort, and attractiveness. It gives peace of mind and relaxation from many things.

1. All the gas flames are in a direct vent, and they are behind a glass barrier.
2. The glass barrier is responsible for the generous radiant heat produced.
3. It is more protective because of the screen barrier, keeping your young children and pets safe from getting hurt.
4. Easy and standard control for starting and stopping the fire at any time of the day.

2.  Easier to maintain

Gas Fireplace is easy to maintain and clean on your own, but we recommend letting the experts take care of it because they might hurt you.

They are easy to maintain because they don’t produce the sparks or ashes like a wood-burning fireplace. Therefore, it takes significantly less time to clean. In comparison to wood-burning fireplaces, electric fireplaces are much easier to maintain.

However, it’s highly recommended to have an annual inspection by a certified company High’s Chimney, whether it’s for all fireplaces and chimneys, wood or gas burning.

Maintenance and cleaning are essential things because of their long-lasting benefits.

3.  Efficient for Heating

Yes, this is an efficient heater for heating and provides a consistent heat supply. The gas fireplaces offer a cosy yet comfortable environment for you, and even you can feel the warmth inside out.

4.  Almost No Creosote

Gas fireplace repair is easier to handle and less expensive than the old-fashioned fireplace. In the new-style gas fireplace with protective glass, you’ll notice the absence of creosote build-up because of less use of wood or coal.

However, there are still minimal carbon residues that can clean very quickly and should be done every 1 or 2 years. But if you find it challenging to manage, drop your query to a gas fireplace sweeping and cleaning service provider near you.

5.  No Chimney

If you live in a modern home, a gas fireplace installation is a great option. You won’t have to worry about a chimney repair every year before winter, which will be a huge advantage.

Additionally, gas fireplaces are great for enjoying the cosiness as they generate a lot of heat.

6.    Saving Energy & Money

Gas fireplaces produce fewer emissions because the energy source is more environmentally friendly and provides long-lasting warmness. Our customers are saving a lot of energy and money.

In comparison, if we studied wood-burning fireplace models, they are inadequate while heating because of poorly protected, and even the cool air will keep entering from the chimney. And sometimes, the smoke and heat can create a wind drift or stack effect.

7.      Less Expensive

That’s correct – a gas fireplace installation is cheaper than a traditional wood-burning fireplace. And as we discussed, gas fireplaces are suitable for saving energy and money. Having a modern gas fireplace in your home is worth it for investment purposes.

Looking for How to Install a Gas Fireplace?

Suppose you plan to add a ventless fireplace to an existing home or a new one.

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The post Why It Is Worth Installing a Gas Fireplace in Maryland appeared first on Highs Chimney.

Fireplace heat shields in Illinois can help the home stay warmer than without a fireplace heat shield. But why install a fireplace heat shield in the first place? Many fireplaces over time develop gaps, cracks and deteriorate over time. If you use the fireplace often and have decided that getting the chimney and fireplace cleaned and inspected is unnecessary, we can tell you that smoke buildup, leaks, weakening of the chimney and fireplace…and even fires can form. How can a fireplace heat shield help? Let’s take a look.

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What is a Fireplace Heat Shield?

A fireplace heat shield is a layer of thick stainless steel against the rear firewall. The fireplace heat shield allows the smoke to go up the chimney and out of the home and heat reflected back into your home.

Is It Worth the Investment?

A fireplace heat shield prolongs the use and protects the current fireplace and chimney. If left unattended, then deterioration continues. Ultimately, the chimney will need to be rebuilt. Rebuilding the firebox will be far more expensive than using a heatshield. If you end up having smoke damage because the smoke from the fireplace was unable to go up and out of the home, repairs will ultimately need to be made as well. With a sweep and inspection of the chimney and fireplace by a certified technician, these issues can be identified and repaired so you don’t end up with a much larger bill to pay.

Benefits of a Fireplace Heat Shield

Let’s take a look at a few advantages of a fireplace heat shield. If the certified technician recommends a fireplace heat shield, this is what you can expect:

• 20% to 40% increase in heat entering your home. A wonderful benefit on energy savings.
• Prevent chimney rebuilds by preserving and maintaining the mortar and firebricks.
• It makes it looks better! No more stains, it will look clean and fresh.

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This post first appeared on https://www.superiorchimney.net

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With temperatures rapidly dropping outside, it’s the best time of year to stay inside and cozy up by the fireplace. However, if you have a wood-burning fireplace at home, starting a fire can be a little more difficult than simply flipping a switch. However, with a little practice and some safety precautions, you can easily build a roaring fire to relax with this winter. Here’s how to start a fire in your fireplace.

1. Clean the fireplace.

The first step is to make sure that your fireplace is clean and safe to use. Sweep away any loose ashes from previous fires, and make sure there isn’t any loose debris nearby that could be a fire hazard. Make sure your fireplace has a grate and spark screen in place, which will keep the fire safely in the fireplace and prevent it from spreading. Also ensure you have had your annual chimney sweeping!

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2. Gather your materials.

The next step is to make sure you have all the right materials to start a fire. First, you’ll need dry, seasoned wood. Dry wood will catch fire faster and create less creosote buildup than fresh, green wood. Split your logs if they aren’t already – this will help them catch fire more easily. You’ll also need tinder and kindling to build the base of the fire.

An easy option is to use newspaper and fire-starter kits, which are easy to purchase online.

Look for paraffin or fatwood-based kits, which are safer than liquid fire starters. Additionally, you should make sure you have a fire extinguisher on hand. Although it’s unlikely that your fire will get out of hand, it’s always best to be prepared for an emergency just in case.

3. Open the damper and prime the flue.

The damper is the flap that sits above your fireplace, connecting it to the chimney. Your damper should be fully open so that smoke can properly flow out through the chimney.

You’ll also want to make sure to prime the flue. During the winter, cold air can press down on the chimney, trapping fire in your home. To prevent this from happening, light the end of a roll of newspaper and hold it up to the flue until you feel the air reverse direction.

4. Arrange your newspaper, kindling, and logs.

The next step is to arrange your materials. There are many different ways to approach this – some people start with a layer of newspaper and then add kindling in the middle with the logs on top. Others create a base of logs in a criss-cross pattern, putting kindling in the middle and tinder on top. All of these approaches will work as long as the fire can easily catch from the kindling to the logs.

5. Light the fire and enjoy.

The final step is to light the kindling and let the fire start, which may take a few tries. Once the fire has caught, you can close the screen and enjoy it. Be sure to monitor the fire throughout the evening to make sure it doesn’t get out of hand and put out the fire completely before going to bed.

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This post first appeared on https://www.mychimney.com

Now, you might be thinking, “How does one not know how to start a fire in their fireplace?” Well, it may seem easy to start a fire, but it’s a challenge to build it and light it, so it burns efficiently and doesn’t constantly need relighting. It turns out there’s a proper way to start a fire, and in this post, we’ll show you how to do it.

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Remove the Ashes

The first step to building a roaring fire is to clean out any leftover ashes from the firebox from your previous fire to make it easier to stack your wood. To clean out the ash, remove any large chunks with a broom and shovel, then vacuum the smaller debris. Also ensure you have had your annual chimney sweeping and inspection!

Use the Right Firewood

Many people don’t realize that the kind of wood you use affects how hot and efficient your fire burns, but choosing the proper firewood is essential to building a healthy fire.

If you’re using a wood-burning fireplace, the best wood is seasoned firewood. Seasoned firewood is wood thoroughly dried for approximately six months to a year. Seasoned firewood is the ideal choice for several reasons:

• It’s easier to light
• It produces less smoke, which means less creosote buildup
• It burns more evenly and thoroughly
• It gives you a hotter fire

Seasoned firewood indeed costs more upfront, but because it burns longer, you end up using less, which can save you money through the fireplace season. Some fireplace experts also recommend kiln-dried firewood, which is also a good choice if you don’t have time to dry firewood the traditional way.

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Check Your Fireplace’s Damper

The fireplace or chimney damper is a metal device that opens and closes to regulate airflow through the chimney. When open, the damper allows smoke and toxic gases to flow from the fireplace up the chimney and out of the house. When it’s closed, it prevents outside air from getting into the house. If your damper won’t completely open or close, your fire won’t receive enough oxygen, causing it to burn inefficiently.

Furthermore, if the damper won’t fully open, you could end up with more smoke and harmful fumes in your home, so before you build a fire, check the damper and ensure it’s in good working order.

Prime Your Flue

Another step many forget or don’t know about is priming the flue. If you’ve seen smoke fill your room soon after lighting a fire, it means the ignition wasn’t complete —either the fire didn’t get enough energy or oxygen to achieve good combustion. When your fireplace and chimney sit idle during cold weather, the flue becomes filled with cold air. So, because cold air is heavier than hot air when you first light your fire, the smoke can’t escape up the chimney. To prime the flue, roll up a few newspapers or other materials for a makeshift torch, light one end, and hold it up the flue until you see the smoke traveling up. When the smoke goes up the chimney, you know you’re good to go to light your fire.

Add Kindling

Yes, you can start a fire without kindling, but we’re telling you how to build the best fire, so this is a must. Kindling is dry wood, typically cut in thin strips about a foot long. The reason kindling is a must is because of how easily it catches fire and holds the flame long enough to ignite the logs on top. Like your logs, it’s best to use seasoned wood for your kindling.

Build Your Log Base

Many people chuck the logs into the firebox and hope for the best. However, there’s an art to stacking your logs to get the most efficient and hot burning fire you crave. To start, put big logs on the bottom, keeping them as close together as possible.

Next, start stacking your smaller logs on top. Continue building like this until you have enough to keep you warm.

Start Your Fire

Now that you’ve done the work, it’s time to start your fire, kick back, and relax. While this may seem like a lot of steps, it doesn’t take much time, and you’ll be thankful that you put in the effort when you see and hear that beautiful roaring fire.

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The post How To Start A Fire In Your Fireplace appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

Now the leaves have turned, and the temperature is trending downward, many homeowners anticipate building their first warm, cozy fire of the season. However, before that, there are things you should do to ensure your fireplace is ready to serve you safely and efficiently. Here are our top tips on preparing your fireplace for winter.

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Clear Away Clutter

It’s normal for your home to get cluttered during summer, especially around the fireplace. People are naturally more relaxed during summer and often fail to keep up with tidiness. So, Before you light the first fire of the year, take an hour or so and clean the area around the fireplace to remove fire and safety hazards, like children’s and pet toys, furniture, newspapers, magazines, and area rugs.

Check the Smoke Alarm & Carbon Monoxide Detector Batteries

Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are crucial to your family’s safety, but more so during winter, when you regularly use your fireplace. Statistics show that most alarm failures occur because of dead batteries. Before using your fireplace, check the detector’s batteries and test them. Experts recommend replacing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors every ten years because the sensors wear out. Most alarms have labels telling you when they were made, so you know when to replace them.

Clean the Hearth

When you’re finished using your fireplace for winter, it’s normal for there to be mounds of ash and residue in the hearth. If this is the case with your fireplace, take the time now to clean it thoroughly using a shovel and scoop to remove the remaining wood chips and then vacuum the ash. A clean hearth provides better airflow and combustion for a more efficient fire and reduces odors.

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Inspect the Fireplace Gasket

If you have a gas fireplace, now’s the time to inspect the gasket material surrounding the door. The gasket keeps smoke and gas from spilling into the room and prevents excess oxygen.

Check Your Chimney Cap

A chimney cap is a protective covering that covers your chimney, typically made from steel or copper mesh. The cap prevents water, debris, and critters from getting into the flue, causing blockages and wreaking havoc. Because your chimney cap is exposed to the weather 24/7, it can wear out.

Inspect the Damper

Your chimney damper is a metal piece that regulates airflow through the chimney. Most dampers open and close via a rod, chain, or rotary control. Because it’s a mechanical part, it’s prone to wearing out and corroding. Make sure it opens and closes easily but remains firm once set.

Trim Trees

If you have large trees in the backyard, it’s a good idea to trim them back before winter sets in. Tree branches that hang over the roof and chimney provide squirrels, mice, and other pests easy access to the roof and chimney. Plus, falling tree limbs from heavy storms, snow, or ice can damage the roof. Finally, tree branches can be a fire hazard if they hang over the chimney too far.

Schedule an Inspection

Call a certified chimney sweep and fireplace contractor to inspect and clean your fireplace and chimney. Certified chimney sweeps look for creosote buildup, a major contributor to chimney fires, and check the masonry materials for cracks, water damage, and other issues.

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The post Top Tips To Prepare Your Fireplace For Winter appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

There are different warning signs that indicate you have a broken chimney crown that should be repaired. When you complete these repairs as soon as possible, you will save thousands of dollars and an entire chimney rebuild as well.

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The chimney crown that is located at the top of your chimney is an essential component of your chimney’s overall system. Your chimney crown is a concrete roof that is like an umbrella, which keeps your entire masonry and chimney brick free from any water damage, nests, debris, and other intrusions. Even if you do not see it, the chimney crown saves you from having to pay for an expensive chimney repair so you should know the early signs:

Degrading Chimney

When the actual chunks of bricks or chimneys comprising the chimney are falling, you have severe crown damage, just like the damage to your home. You might have to hire professional crown repair or chimney rebuilding.

If you notice this happening, you should have your chimney crown fixed right away. Your home should be kept in good shape by hiring trained professionals for repairing the chimney crown.

Efflorescence

Are there white stains on the chimney? That is called efflorescence. Salt crystallizations are observed frequently on concrete, natural stone, and brick surfaces. If this is the case, it is normally a sign of a moisture issue. It is typical to have a small amount of it, but if it becomes excessive, it will raise flags. Most of the time, efflorescence is caused by loose flashing or faulty flue liner, which hastens mortar and brick deterioration. That is why you need a chimney technician to install a liner or flue or repair the flashing to prevent water from going into the chimney.

Masonry Debris

The debris coming from the deteriorating crown might tumble down the chimney and collect on the firebox or hearth. While the crown deteriorates what the mortar is comprised of, the chips from collateral damage to top courses of flue tiles and bricks lead to mortar and brick debris falling down your chimney. This all gets collected in the chimney firebox.

Mortar Joint Damage

Mortar joint damage might weaken after some time because of ice, water, and seasonal expansion. The masonry gets exposed to moisture when the mortar starts to deteriorate, which causes more harm. Aside from that, the chimney can break down and collapse eventually if you leave it unattended. You might require a specialist to have the joints and mortar repaired.

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Spall Chip Damages

The chimney bricks can start to show moisture damage signs. While the crown deteriorates, moisture will find its way into the mortar and then into brick tiers beneath the crown. Thaw and freeze cycles cause bricks and moisture to expand, which causes spalling. A small chip breaks off the brick’s face and leading to more deterioration.

Damaged Interior Walls

You must take a closer look at the walls close to the chimney in your home. You should closely check the wallpaper, paint, or any other finishing material there is. Can you see any moisture damage, like fraying or discolored blotches? There could be moisture that seeps in through the chimney crown.

Water Pooling

It is not pleasant if you see that there is a stack of chimney tiles in the fireplace. Broken flue lining is normally an indication of a fallen tile, which is caused by water damage or poor construction methods. This will only worsen if left untreated. Cracks will allow moisture to enter and might even cause a chimney fire.

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This post first appeared on https://www.firstclasschimneyservices.com

A blocked chimney can happen to any household whether they have a fireplace or not. So those of you that say that this doesn’t pertain to me…well, it does. A blocked chimney pertains to everyone who has a chimney in their home, which is just about everyone that has a water heater and a furnace. Why is this important?

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What is a Blocked Chimney?

A blocked chimney, also known as an obstructed chimney can be difficult to diagnose on your own. A blocked chimney can be caused by nesting, debris and animals, but many don’t realize that snow can be a contributor to a blocked chimney. As we go into the winter season, and we’ve already had an accumulation of snow, we need to be aware that snow/ice-over is just as critical to clear as the other debris.

The Use of a Chimney

Most furnaces, water heaters and boilers vent through a chimney. The reason for venting through the chimney is to allow for flue gasses and exhaust to escape the home so your family, friends and pets don’t breathe in the gasses. When a blocked chimney occurs, it will not properly function. Things like bird nests, leaves, twigs, debris are the most common ways the chimney can be blocked. But it’s not the only things that can cause a blocked chimney. Pieces of the brick or stone from the chimney along with soot are also contributors to a blocked chimney. It’s important to have your chimney checked regularly to ensure the integrity of your chimney.

It’s best to call a certified chimney technician of Superior Chimney to inspect and sweep the chimney.

Signs of a Blocked Chimney

It’s always best to have a professional check the chimney, however, here are a few ways to tell if something is going on.

• Lack of heat
• Your heat is smelly
• The hot water is not so hot
• Your carbon monoxide detector is ringing
• Lots of condensate surrounding the chimney (can mimic a water leak)

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Blocked Chimney Repair

Clearing a blocked chimney is no easy task. It’s best to leave it to the certified technician so nothing gets missed or broken as a result. To prevent a blocked chimney from happening again, please be sure to schedule a yearly sweep and inspection on your chimney so you can ensure byproducts are cleared from your home. Annual inspections will also identify any problems that are developing so they can be fixed before they become dangerous or a larger, costlier, issue.

Installing a chimney cap or replacing a chimney cap that fits snug on the top of your chimney is critical. It will stop debris from coming into the chimney. Give us a call today so we can be sure your winter season is a safe and happy one.

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This post first appeared on https://www.superiorchimney.net

Cold draft in the fireplace is a signal that something is wrong with the flow of air through the chimney and fireplace. Traditional fireplaces have an open firebox intended to allow air to go up the chimney – This is the natural draft created by the design of a traditional fireplace. How does a cold draft in a fireplace start?

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What is a Cold Draft in Fireplace?

Cold draft in fireplace is the intermittent times when the fire in the fireplace is out. When the fire has stopped burning and before you light a new one, it is the perfect opportunity for the cold air to come into the home. One solution to help control the flow of cold air is with a chimney damper.

Visiting a Family When the Cold Draft Hits

Here’s a perfect example of a cold draft coming from the fireplace. We were visiting friends over the weekend walking from the family room to the kitchen enjoying food, drink and good company. I noticed our friend’s elderly parent sitting in the family room wrapped up in a blanket watching football. (Yes, she wanted to watch it.) I asked if there was anything I could do to help her feel warmer and she said, “Yes, stop that cold breeze.” I looked around, noticed there were no windows or doors open, nor was anyone walking in or out of the home. I crossed over to the fireplace and there it was. A very cold breeze coming in from the fireplace. I wondered how often she sat there freezing on the couch.

Chimney Damper

Especially in the cold times of the Fall, Winter and Spring seasons, a chimney damper can be of great help. As the CSIA says, the chimney damper is “one of the most misunderstood features of the fireplace.” Easily said, the chimney damper is what seals the fireplace when it is not in use. It’s those in between times when the fireplace is not in use.

Superior Chimney recommends an all-in-one fireplace damper and chimney cap. It is far better than multiple products like a fireplace balloon, fireplace plugs or whatever else is being sold in the market.

We recommend the all-in-one chimney damper as this product is a perfect way to help seal in the heat in the winter, while keeping the cool air inside during the summer. Of course, as all chimney caps, it will keep out animals, bird, inspects as well as all of the weather elements such as our recent snow.

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What About Gas Fireplaces…

If you have a woodburing fireplace, gas fireplace or something in between, getting a chimney damper is still necessary to keep the cold draft in fireplace from entering the home. Remember, cold air falls while warm air rises. Same concept for the chimney. So, we need to help control the cold air, warm air exchange. That’s the beauty of the chimney damper.

Chimney dampers are easy to use as there is a cable that reaches down into your fireplace. All you need to do is pull down to close, or release to open. This allows the flow of air to to be controlled.

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This post first appeared on https://www.superiorchimney.net

As we enter the holiday season, we want to express our gratitude for you and wish you a blessed Thanksgiving and an abundance of great health and joy.

Talk about crazy new England weather! Do we put a fan or the heat on? The way it’s been we could do both in any given day. However, we all know it is Mid November and the temperature will drop, and we will have winter.

With energy prices expected to skyrocket this winter, local fire officials are urging home heating safety for residents who plan to use fireplaces, wood stoves and other solid fuel heating appliances at home.

Massachusetts fire officials issued a home heating safety reminder after recent reports showing a major jump in oil, natural gas and electricity prices during this winter heating season.

We expect that more people will use their fireplace, wood stove or other solid fuel to heat their homes this winter.

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Here are your best defenses against the rising costs:

Make Sure You Have a Working Damper

A damper is a lever or pulley activated door within your chimney and must remain open while the fireplace is in use.  There are conventional throat dampers that sit right above the firebox or a top sealing damper. Top sealing dampers mount on top of the chimney and seals with a rubber gasket. There is a cable that runs down the flue attaching in the firebox for access. Top sealing dampers are favored because they can save you money on heating and air conditioning costs and help prevent debris from entering.

Proper Venting for Your Heating System

When it comes to chimneys, it’s not “one size fits all” concerning venting your heat or hot water. Most homeowners upgrade their heating equipment for the promise of savings on the fuel costs, but the savings aren’t always there if you’re plugged into an outdated structure.   Whether you’re heating and hot water equipment is months old or years old, retrofitting your venting system is a long term cost-saving decision.

Install a Wood Stove

The design and technology that goes into creating modern wood burning stoves is quite a bit different from that which was found in the stoves of yesterday.

Today’s wood stoves are excellent heat sources as well as being quite nice to look at. The biggest advantage homeowners have with a wood burning stove is the quality of heat the unit gives off. Woods stoves operate on the principal of radiant heat, which warms an area faster and more efficiently than warm air being blown through a home’s vent system. The powerful heat from a wood stove radiates from all sides of the unit as well as the top, sending warmth in all directions.  Want to heat an even bigger area?  Add a blower for even more circulation.

Have the Fireplace Lining Checked

A chimney liner is, in fact, a lining that goes in the flue of the chimney. The flue is a tunnel or passageway located within the chimney structure.  A flue lining is made of clay, ceramic, or metal conduit and is intended to contain the burning products and direct them to the outside atmosphere while protecting the chimney walls from heat and corrosion (similar to an exhaust for a car).  Making sure that your flue lining is intact will improve efficiency within the system.

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Get A Gas Insert

Gas fireplaces are making a major comeback. Let’s consider a fire that needs no tending, requires minimal cleanup, and provides heat for your home. That’s what you get with today’s gas fireplaces. Modern versions are very realistic. They have glowing red embers and tall orange-yellow flames that dance and flicker around ceramic-fiber logs molded from the real thing. Gas inserts are very efficient and quickly contribute added warmth to any space.

The post Rising Fuel Costs – What Are Your Best Defenses? appeared first on Boston’s Best Chimney.

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It is widely known that gas fireplaces are more efficient than traditional fireplaces. Many people buy homes that already have traditional fireplaces, however, or opt for traditional fireplaces because of their beautiful, classic look. The good news is that all types of fireplaces add value to your home and that there are several ways to make traditional fireplaces more efficient. 

Today, we’ll share our pointers on how to make traditional fireplaces more efficient, so that you can enjoy your home’s fireplace without worrying about it wasting your home’s energy. 

 We offer chimney sweeps, chimney inspections and much more. 

Now, we’ll dive into our traditional fireplace efficiency tips. 

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How to Make Traditional Fireplaces More Efficient

Here are some ways that you can ensure that your fireplace is not wasting energy. 

Know When to Close Your Damper

You need to open your chimney damper in order to start a fire. This is an important safety measure that facilitates proper airflow and lets smoke out of your house. When the fire is completely out (with no more embers burning), however, it is best to close the damper to prevent warm air from escaping your home. 

We also recommend having a top sealing damper installed, rather than a conventional damper. Top sealing dampers seal tightly, keeping cold air out during the winter and warm air out during the summer, thus saving you energy. 

Burn the Right Types of Wood

Choosing the correct type of wood to burn will produce more heat and less creosote (a tar-like chemical build-up that needs to be removed from all active chimneys regularly). 

Some woods that we recommend include oak, maple, and birch. All of these are hard woods that burn slowly. Check out our blog about the best woods for firewood for more information! 

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Start Your Fire Correctly

Doing this will create a better, safer fire and prevent energy loss. Here are the steps to starting a fire:

1. Open the damper all of the way so that smoke does not enter your home. 
2. Stuff crumpled newspaper below the grate.
3. Stack your wood in two rows in a criss cross pattern. 
4. Add kindling on top of the stack. 
5. Prime the chimney flue. Light a newspaper and hold it above the damper to do so. This will prevent cold air from flowing down into your house because of negative pressure, saving you energy. 
6. After the draft is reversed, you can light the newspaper to begin the fire. 

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