FIREPLACE

Most of us feel a fireplace is an excellent way to create a warm, cozy atmosphere. However, without sufficient information, a Homeowner's use of his/her fireplace can easily result in much heat (and many dollars) being wasted. To help prevent that, consider the following facts and suggestion.

 Burning a fire should be looked upon as a luxury, adding much to the atmosphere and just a little to the heat in a home. Only about 10% of the heat produced by a fire is radiated into the house. Normally as it burns, the fire draws warm air from the house for combustion as well. This means you pay to heat the air in your home and the fireplace then uses it to burn wood, sending 90% of the resulting heat up the chimney.

 Ordinarily the air used by the fireplace for combustion is replaced with cold outside air which is drawn in through cracks around doors and windows. However, your home is constructed so tightly that this does not happen. The fresh air vent has been installed to provide the fireplace with combustion air and help minimize the amount of heated air the fire draws from your house. Open this vent prior to starting the fire as you do the damper. 

When not in use the damper and cold air vent should be closed. Leaving these open is equivalent to having an open window in the house. If the fire is still burning, but you are finished enjoying it, use glass doors to prevent heated air from being drawn up the chimney until your damper can be closed. 

One caution on the use of glass doors: Do not close them over a roaring fire, especially of you are burning hard woods (oak, hickory, etc.), because this could results in glass breakage, Also, when closing the doors over a burning fire, open the mesh screens first. This prevents excessive heat build-up on the mesh that might result in warping or discoloration.

 Your objective in building a fire should be a clean, steady, slow-burning fire. Always begin with a small fire first to allow the components of the fireplace to heat up slowly. Failure to do so may damage the fireplace and can void the warranty. Start the fire by burning kindling and newspaper under the grate; two to three layers of logs stacked with air space between, largest logs to the rear, works best.

One sheet of paper burning on top of the stack will help the chimney start to draw. Any logs 6" in diameter or larger should be split. Do not burn trash in the fireplace and never use any type of liquid fire starter.

 Old ashes and coals should be removed from under the grate when completely cool. A light layer is desirable as an insulator and will help to reflect heat. 

The timing on having your chimney cleaned will be determined by the way you use your fireplace and the type of wood you burn. Heavy use with soft woods or improperly seasoned woods will result in the need for more frequent cleaning, probably once each year. Creosote and other wood-burning by-products accumulate inside the flues over a period of time. This build-up can be a fire hazard. A qualified chimney sweep should be hired for this cleaning.

 On direct vent gas fireplaces, if the spark arrester becomes clogged the diminished air flow will affect the performance of the fireplace and may be a fire hazard. Have the arrestor cleaned professionally when needed.

 Be aware of a delay between turning the switch on and flame ignition. The flames should ignite gently and silently. Read and follow any manufacturer directions.

 If you notice any deviation in this and any gas smell, shut the switch off immediately and report it.

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