The Basics of Fireplaces

Very few features in the home have the appeal of the fireplace. Fireplaces have been used as a place for friends to gather, lovers to relax, and families to enjoy. They have been used as a source of heat for the home and a source of pride for the homeowner. Some people have chosen their new home based on the number of fireplaces it has. Even if you owned your home for a long time or you live in an apartment, you can install a fireplace to upgrade your home. In order to choose the perfect fireplace, you should get to know the basics of them and the effects it can have on your health and finances. 

Types of Fireplaces

You can get either a masonry fireplace or a manufactured one. A masonry fireplace is made of brick or stone while the manufactured fireplace is made of sheet metal fire boxes. Both types can be fueled with wood, biofuels, natural gas, or propane. Biofuels are fuels that are made from living organisms, such as sugar cane, corn, wood, garbage, and landfill gases. You can get a ventless fireplace, which is fueled by liquid propane, gel, or natural gas. Ventless fireplaces can use an oxygen-depletion sensor that monitors the indoor air quality. With the push to create more eco-friendly products, you can also find inserts, which are fireplaces that are built into the wall and are vented out through the wall. Gas systems are vented through an exterior wall. If you want a fireplace, but don’t want the mess or your home is not conducive to a installing a ventilation system, you can get an electric fireplace that uses ceramic log that simulate fire but uses electricity to generate heat.  

The Effects on Indoor Air Quality

Fireplaces need a way to transfer the noxious products of the combustion out of the home. In the past, they used a stone or brick chimney to vent the products out of the home. However, a chimney is not energy efficient because it allowed air from the inside to escape. It also tended to make the room that housed the fireplace warmer than the rest of the house. A fireplace that burns wood has a great chance of releasing harmful substances from the wood into the air, such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. Both of these gases are poisonous and can cause nausea, confusion, respiratory infections, weakness, and headaches. If the wood particles do not burn completely, they can be inhaled and become lodged in the lungs which will cause irritation and damage. 

Taking Care of Your Fireplace

Taking proper care of your fireplace will ensure that you will mitigate air pollution and lower fuel costs. If you have a gas fireplace, you should turn off the gas as soon as the wood begins to burn to reduce your heating costs. You should not keep the pilot light lit at all times because this will also increase your heating bill. You should make sure that you keep your fireplace clean and adhere to a regular cleaning schedule. This will extend the life of your fireplace and it will improve indoor air quality, perform safely, and lower fuel costs. If you live in a humid climate, you should invest in a dehumidifier to prevent condensation and corrosion from accumulating inside the generator. If you live in a dryer climate, you should invest in a humidifier to make sure that the moisture level is stable and proper. Make sure that you have your fireplaces, HVAC systems, chimneys, and flues inspected by a professional and repair any cracks, leaks, or any other damage.