Efficiency is a top priority in many areas of our lives, and heating is no exception. Fireplaces provide a range of heating efficiency depending on factors such as type of fireplace, placement within the home, fuel type, and how well maintained the system is.
With winter officially set in, now is a great time to think about how fireplace efficiency can be improved. Whatever set of features you begin with, there are bound to be ways you can take steps forward to lower energy bills, increase environmental friendliness, and gain more heat and enjoyment throughout these colder weeks.
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Fireplace Efficiency Tip 1: Keep Your System in Ship-Shape
For any fireplace, the first step to peak efficiency is the same: routine maintenance and inspections. It may not sound like a shocking revelation, but it’s these rhythms that help you get the most out of your system for the longest time. A clean, well-maintained chimney allows for good airflow, and it minimizes the risk of dangerous buildup like creosote or debris from outdoors. These things can hinder the fireplace’s performance and even become fire hazards.
Each year your chimney should be professionally inspected by a certified technician. This will help you stay ahead of issues that could hinder your chimney’s performance presently or down the road. Chimneys are durable structures, but still need some occasional TLC, and inspections help you know when that’s necessary (before problems become more costly).
Chimney sweeping takes care of any creosote, leaves, or other items that should not be in your chimney. This isn’t just about being tidy – obstructions restrict airflow. This means your fires won’t burn as well, and combustion byproducts may not be able to safely and easily leave your living space.
Fireplace Efficiency Tip 2: Upgrade Your System
If you’re frustrated by sub-par efficiency, especially if it’s compounded with other issues, consider a retrofit fireplace or a fireplace insert. The former is more involved than the latter, so the best solution will depend on your particular needs. If the options make your head spin a bit, no worries – we’re well-versed in what’s available, the pros and cons of various solutions, and learning the needs of our individual clients.
In some cases, a more confined upgrade will make more sense. Many older fireplaces, for instance, have manual dampers that are difficult to close completely. The damper is a metal place that lets smoke and gases escape while burning, but is closed when the fireplace isn’t in use. If it doesn’t seal well, heat will be lost. Upgrading to a high-efficiency damper can prevent heat from escaping up the chimney, and can create the correctly conducive conditions for good airflow when the fire is burning.
Fireplace fans or blowers can help circulate heat throughout the room, or even adjacent rooms. These specially designed blowers yield more even heat distribution, which will help you get more from your fireplace. Most inserts come with built-in fans, but if your fireplace doesn’t have one, it’s worth considering as an aftermarket option.
A simple, but effective upgrade is adding glass doors to a fireplace that doesn’t yet have them. With an open fireplace, warm air from your room can rise up the chimney and make a getaway. Conversely, cold air can sink down into your living space. Glass fireplace doors do what room doors do – they regulate traffic by acting as a barrier. In this case, they keep your room warmer by not allowing as much heat to escape. A bonus? They also help contain smoke and odors. Just make sure to get glass doors suitable to your particular fireplace.
Firebacks and reflective panels may also make a good addition to your fireplace set-up. Either of these will help deflect or radiate heat back into your room, keeping more warmth in your space.
Fireplace Efficiency Tip 3: Proper Day-to-Day Use
Physical upgrades are great, but how you use your fireplace can also impact its efficiency. If you have a wood fireplace, think hotter, not larger. Small, hot fires burn efficiently. There needs to be space for air to circulate near your logs to get the most from your fire and reduce smoke and creosote production.
To achieve this, you also need to make sure you’re using only dry, seasoned wood. If wood is wet or newly cut, the excessive moisture content will make the fire work harder to burn it. Not only is a weak, smoky fire provoked by damp wood less enjoyable, it’s also much less efficient. Storing your firewood well will help ensure you always have well-seasoned logs at the ready when you want them.
Another tip? Keeping an ash base of a couple inches in your firebox during the burning season can act as a good insulator, making it easier to get fires going. But too much ash can hinder fires by reducing airflow, so manage the level of ash in your fireplace throughout the burning season – and during the summer months, clear them out entirely.
Ready to Increase Your Fireplace’s Efficiency?
If you’re looking to make steps towards improved efficiency, don’t hesitate to reach out. Different solutions will make sense depending on the fireplace, home, and homeowner’s priorities. We’re here to help those in Greensboro and surrounding areas – reach out now.