Even though winter is well underway and spring is right around the corner, January evenings remain cold, and days remain short. However, just because the snow is taking a long time to melt doesn’t mean there aren’t lots of exciting things to do until the weather warms up. Consider a relaxing evening spent on the sofa, sipping your favorite hot beverage while listening to gentle music and listening to the crackling of a fire.

Choosing firewood overturning up the thermostat in the winter months is a cost-effective option for many households to preserve energy. The US Environmental Protection Agency’s Burn Wise program educates residents and homeowners on reducing firewood use by more than 30% and keeping their homes toastier and more pleasant on those chilly nights. 

Nothing beats the experience of sitting by a warm fire in the dead of winter. But before you ignite that fire, here are a few pointers to help you get the most out of your fireplace this winter.

 

Safety First

A fireplace is a place where the family gathers and spends time together. They not only provide a beautiful backdrop for photos and memories, but they can also help save money on your energy bill in this season. An indoor or outdoor fireplace might become dangerous if used incorrectly. So, before you move on to doing anything else, it’s a good idea to figure out how to keep your family safe and warm.

Keep your chimney and vents clear of debris since anything clogging the airways —such as sticks, creosote deposits, and birds’ nests—can cause a fire or send smoke and toxic CO2back into your home. To be safe, have your fireplace, vents and chimney inspected once a year and cleaned after the accumulation in your chimney exceeds 1/8 inch. The more insulated and aerated your home is, the more functional your fireplace will be and the happier you will be with it. 

Use Hardwood

When wood is burned, it creates creosote and soot. However, hardwood burns slower than softwood, creating creosote at a slower rate. As a result, hardwood provides more fire with less firewood because it burns slowly. It’s crucial to remember that hardwood is a more expensive option but better for your health and environment. 

Understand Air Flow

If a fireplace is used incorrectly, it can increase your home’s energy use by 30%. This is why an individual must understand how to use fireplace pieces like the cap and damper. The wood must get adequate oxygen to catch fire. So, before you start a fire, make sure to open your damper to assist air circulation. Close the damper tightly after the fire has burned out and your living area has warmed up. This allows the hot air to remain in your home and provides a nice heat level.

Fire Place Insert

If you want to do your part to help the planet, you may want to invest in a more energy-efficient fireplace. More than 90% of the heat from a traditional masonry fireplace is lost up the chimney. You won’t lose as much heat if a fireplace insert is installed. Once your fireplace has been assessed, and a custom-built insert has been installed, the efficiency of your fireplace will increase by 70% to 85%. 

An insert will offer sufficient heat to save money on your heating bills by allowing you to turn off your central heating while still being warm. A fireplace insert will also extend the life of your woodpile while generating significantly more heat. 

Learn Before You Burn

Although it may seem that starting a fire is straightforward, there is a particular way to generate a strong-burning fire that produces more warmth with less fuel. You can follow these steps to ensure you get it right:

• Begin by building a small fire with dry kindling and a few pieces of wood.
• Allow lots of air to reach the fire by completely opening the air controls.
• Before adding extra wood, burn the fire to warm the flue or chimney.
• Build a bright, blazing fire, and don’t let it smolder. Don’t leave space between the firewood as you add more. 

Remove ashes from your indoor or outdoor firepit regularly. Place them in a metal case with a lid and keep it outside to preserve adequate airflow. Cardboard, plastics, and garbage should never be burned since they might cause health problems. 

 

Thinking about those warm winter nights against the fireplace sure seems fun. If you need fireplace installation by professionals, check out Stone Solutions Maine. They offer a solution to your cold winter nights at the most affordable prices. They also specialize in masonry services, gardening landscapes and can also help you set up outdoor fire pits. Contact them to learn more.