Getting The Most Out of Your Wood Burning Fireplace
Enjoying a wood-burning fireplace on a cold winter day is a soothing and relaxing experience. It is also a nostalgic moment for Missourians who prefer an authentic fire-burning experience. However, wood-burning fireplaces are notoriously inefficient for home heating. Over 80% of a wood-burning fireplace’s heat is lost up the chimney.
So, if you have been looking for a cost-effective way to cut heating costs and get the most out of your wood-burning fireplace, these tips from FluesBrothers Chimney & Fireplace will help:
- Ensure your chimney is cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified professional. An unclean or blocked vent can reduce your fireplace’s efficiency, and creosote buildup from wood combustion can increase the risk of a chimney fire, making regular cleaning necessary.
- Only burn seasoned firewood. Seasoned firewood with less than 20% moisture content is ideal. Wood with a higher moisture content will produce less heat and more smoke. Digital moisture meters are readily available, making it easy to measure the moisture content to ensure a warmer, fire-burning experience.
- Select hardwood species that burn higher BTUs. Hardwoods such as oak, maple, and hickory burn hotter and longer than softwoods such as pine. For example, at 36,600 BTUs per cord, Live Oak burns at the hottest temperatures, according to the California Energy Commission’s BTU Scale.
- Build your fire correctly. Start with a small fire of kindling and newspaper, then add larger pieces of wood as the fire grows. Avoid building too large of a fire, as this can reduce the efficiency of your fireplace.
- Adjust the damper to control the flames. The damper is a metal plate that controls the airflow in your fireplace. Closing the damper will help to reduce heat loss up the chimney.
By following these tips, you can improve the efficiency of your wood-burning fireplace and enjoy the benefits of a warm and cozy fire without wasting energy.
Warm the Flue Before Lighting a Fire in a Cold Chimney
When you light a fire in a cold chimney, the cold air inside the chimney can create a backdraft, a dangerous condition where smoke and gases are pulled back into the room instead of being drawn up the flue. So, warming the chimney before you light the fire is essential for getting the most out of your fireplace.
Consider Installing a Fireplace Insert
A fireplace insert is a highly advantageous addition to your home. It is a steel or iron fireproof box specifically designed to fit inside your existing firebox.
Its innovative, self-contained combustion chamber maximizes combustion, thus increasing heating efficiency so that you get the most out of your wood-burning fireplace.
Wood-burning fireplace Inspection, Cleaning, & Repair Services in Shawnee, KS
Want to learn more about how to improve the heating efficiency of your wood-burning fireplace?
Contact FluesBrothers today at (913) 236-7141 to schedule a visit, or use this handy form to contact us online. We serve the entire KCK/KCMO metropolitan area, including Liberty, MO; Lee’s Summit, MO; Mission Hills, KS; and Olathe, KS. Ask about our Same as Cash financing!
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