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Tips on fireplaces and chimneys

Here are some tips that may be helpful as you get ready for the upcoming winter season.

The first order of business is to make sure your chimney is clean. This process should be done every year regardless of use of your fireplace. Not using it could result in birds or animals having nested in the chimney and blocking the flow. Also one needs to make sure that all creosote has been removed from the chimney. Creosote is a deposit left by burning uncured wood and is a very highly flammable substance that can destroy your chimney and/or home if ignited.

Buying you wood a year in advance is a good idea. Stacking so that you can cover the top but leaving the sides open is recommenced as this allows the air to flow through the stack further drying the wood. High moisture content in wood will not only make your fireplace inefficient, it will promote the build up of creosote in your chimney

Whenever possible, try to burn hard woods. Hard woods are more dense and will provide more heat and efficiency than burning similar soft woods. Oak, hickory, elm, maple and apple are all good hardwoods. The BTU's in a same size log of hard wood and softwood will be considerably greater because the hardwood is heavier.

Some folks like to store their firewood inside. This is generally not recommended as there could be insects nest in the wood. Storing your wood outside until ready for use is recommended.

Starting your fire can be a challenge but doesn't have to be. While some fireplaces have a grate for placing the wood on, those fireplace are not generally the most efficient. Of course the grate will allow you put put paper or starting materials under the wood and will provide a flow of air coming up from the bottom of the wood - all good stuff. However, using a great is not as efficient as burning the wood right on the floor of the fireplace. Starting your fireplace in the absence of a metal grate is easy. Just place the wood in a criss cross manner so as to allow air to flow in and around the stack. Is is imperative that you heat the chimney so that it draws. Large pieces of crumpled up newspaper makes are great starter as it will be very quickly and produce immediate heat. Using smaller pieces of kindling for the initial burn is critical. If you add larger pieces to quickly, they will start to smolder and product that thick blue smoke that is creosote laden. Leaving the door slightly ajar until you get a good fire going will help considerably. 

Always remember to open the fireplace damper before attempting to start a fire. In some homes that have an outside chimney which is generally cold, you can open the damper a short while before starting the fire to start heating the chimney with room air. 

Doors or a screen is highly recommended for any fireplace. Some wood will generate sparks that can fly into the room. It is always advisable to have a non combustible surface protection in front of the fireplace.

There are many types and styles of fireplaces, some efficient and some not so much. If your fireplace is totally used for ambience, it probably doesn't;t matter to you if it is efficient or not. However if you have an older masonry fireplace, you may want to consider an insert. Insert will definitely make your inefficient fireplace efficient.

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