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It's what Santa comes shimmying down, what the Big Bad Wolf lands in, and
where ghost stories are told at Halloween. It's a place where romance
blossoms, good books are consumed and thoughtful moments takes place. Even
though its use is more for the decorative than the practical these days, the
fireplace is a part of the American home that endures no matter how high-tech
our world becomes.
The warm, cozy atmosphere a fireplace produces has never gone out of style,
whether it graces our family room, living room, master bedroom or den. In
this age of energy conserving, tightly built homes, however, there are a
number of guidelines to follow when firing up the hearth when the cold winds
blow. Unlike homes of yore, new homes offer little combustible air upon
which a fire can depend for its roaring capabilities. Therefore, consider
the following points:
Look upon your fireplace as a luxury that adds much to the atmosphere, but
just a little to the heat in your home. About 10 per cent of the heat
produced by a fire is radiated into the house. In many older homes, air used
by the fireplace for combustion is replaced by cold outside air drawn in
through cracks around doors and windows. However, your new home is
constructed so "leak-proof" that this does not happen. This is why the fresh
air vent in your fireplace is so vital to a good, safe fire. It reduces the
amount of heated air the fire draws from your house. Open this vent before
starting a fire as you do your damper.
Speaking of dampers, hopefully even the most absent minded of us know that
opening this device before starting a fire, and closing it when the fireplace
is not in use is necessary. Leaving the damper open is equivalent to having
a window open in your home.
Your objective in building a fire should be a clean, steady, slow-burning
flame. Start the fire by burning kindling and newspaper under the grate; two
or three logs stacked with air space in between, with the largest logs to the
rear. One sheet of paper on top of the stack will help the chimney start to
draw. Any logs six inches in diameter or larger should be split.
Don't burn trash in your fireplace, and never use any type of liquid for
starter.
Remove old ashes and coals from under the grate when completely cool. A
light layer is desirable as an insulator and will help to reflect heat.
Creosote and other wood-burning by-products accumulate inside the flue over
a period of time. This build-up can become a fire hazard. The way you use
your fireplace and the type of wood your burn can determine the frequency of
your chimney cleanings. The burning of soft or improperly seasoned woods may
necessitate more frequent cleanings. Hire a qualified chimney sweep for this
task.
Some builders offer "direct vent fireplaces", used more for decoration and
atmosphere when homeowners want a no-hassle focal point for a room, but don't
want to sacrifice the "look". Direct vent fireplaces are usually small in
capacity, composed of ceramic logs, glass protective doors, and
generally don't have a complete chimney structure for use. This makes them
practical especially in upstairs locations, where hauling firewood would be
less than desirable. In these types of fireplaces, follow the manufacturer's
instructions for operating, whether using a wall switch or a remote control.
Excessive winds can sometimes blow out the pilot, requiring you to re-light
it. Direct vent fireplaces get all of their air from outside the home. For
this reason, you may keep the glass doors closed during their use. Be aware,
however, that the glass can be extremely hot to the touch, and small children
should be taught to stay clear of fireplaces in general.
To avoid a downdraft (causing smoke to enter the home) while starting a
fire in your fireplace, pre-heat the flue with a piece of newspaper held as a
kind of "torch" under your damper area to create enough heat and allow your
fireplace to begin a proper draft. If you still see smoke entering the room,
open the nearest door or window to create a draw or updraft.
If the fire is still burning, but you are finished enjoying it, use the
glass doors to prevent heated air from being drawn up the chimney until your
damper can be closed once again.
As we begin the holiday season, your fireplace may once again become the
gathering place for friends and family, good food and lasting memories.
Treat your fireplace and the natural element of warmth it gives rise to with
respect and common sense, and it will give your home season upon season of
service.
Also See:
Firing Up Your Fireplace
Winter Safety Tips for Homeowners
Prepping Your Home for Winter
Winter Weather Warrants Energy Efficient Efforts, Intimate Inspections
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