How to Generate More Heat from Your Fireplace
A wood fireplace isn’t just about setting the right mood. You want and expect to warm at least the space closest to it. But that’s not always the case, especially with older fireplaces and those that aren’t routinely cleaned and maintained. In fact, older fireplaces can do the opposite – put more stress and strain on your home heating system.
A roaring fire in an open hearth is only about 10 percent efficient at best. So, about 90% of the heat energy produced goes up in smoke along with lots of wasted dollars spent on your utility bills. Read on to learn how you can raise the efficiency factor of your fireplace.
Install a top sealing damper. Top sealing dampers seal the chimney at the very top, preventing debris and wildlife from entering the flue. They also help keep indoor air from exiting the house and outside air from entering.
Add a cast iron fire-back. A fire-back absorbs the fire’s heat and returns it into the room and protects the back wall of the fireplace.
Install glass doors. Not only are glass doors a great safety measure, they reduce the flow of air headed up the chimney while allowing heat from the fire to enter your living space. For a wood-burning fireplace, choose doors that come with a mesh screen so you can open the glass doors and keep embers from flying into the room.
Burn the right wood. If you have a wood-burning fireplace, only burn wood that has been seasoned or dried in the sun for a minimum of six months. Fresh wood creates more smoke and can leave behind a resin in the chimney.
Install an insert. While the above tips do help in boosting fireplace efficiency, one sure-fire way to gain added energy efficiency is with a gas fireplace insert. Look for one with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s seal of approval.
Seal the fireplace during summer months. Prevent conditioned air from escaping through the chimney by properly sealing your fireplace. In fact, yours might already come with a lock for that very reason. If not, you can purchase inflatable plugs at your local home improvement store.
Let’s say you don’t have a fireplace or do, but don’t use it very often, at least not for added heat. And yet your home still doesn’t have the warm and cozy feeling you value during the winter months. That’s the perfect time to call Correct Temp to thoroughly inspect your furnace or boiler and to see what we can do to restore the kind of indoor comfort that makes you glad to be home – day or night.
