Whether you’ve got a traditional wood-burner or a gas fireplace, there are many simple but impactful ways to get the most out of it.
A fireplace is undoubtedly an attractive home feature that adds character and atmosphere to any room. If yours is also counted on to be a steady and dependable heat source, you’ll want to take all possible steps to ensure its optimal efficiency. Whether you’ve got a traditional wood-burner or a gas fireplace, there are many simple but impactful ways to get the most out of it.
- Use the Right Wood
Fresh wood burns poorly and tends to produce excessive smoke. It takes a surprisingly long time for moisture to evaporate from logs; those that burn most efficiently have been left to season—that is, dry out—for at least a year.
- Ventilate
Though it might seem counterintuitive, there are some ways that extra ventilation can increase your wood-burner’s energy efficiency and heat distribution. If yours has a bottom damper, open this—or alternately just a crack a nearby window—to keep the hot air flowing through your home rather than escaping out the chimney too quickly.
- Insulate Gas Fireplaces
Gas-burners tend to operate more efficiently than their wood-hungry counterparts, but there are still measures you can take to safely maximize their heat output. The most critical is ensuring the fireplace is sufficiently insulated so that heat isn’t constantly escaping through any minute cracks or flaws.
- Consider an Insert
A fireplace insert can make all the difference in keeping your home at the ideal cozy temperature. These work by using a heat exchanger to redistribute extra heat from your fire back out into the room, and are easily installed by chimney care professionals at affordable prices.
- Schedule a Chimney Inspection
If your fires just don’t seem to be putting out the level of heat they used to, it may well be time for a chimney cleaning. A professional inspection will diagnose whether this is the case, or can otherwise identify a wide range of problems that could potentially be going unnoticed.
Call the Experts at Champion Chimneys for a Chimney Inspection Today!
Champion Chimneys, Inc. is a fully licensed, bonded, and insured chimney service company that has served customers in Baltimore County, Howard County, and Anne Arundel County, Maryland, since 2001. Our team is trained and certified by Certified Chimney Professionals, Inc. (CCP, Inc.). Courteous service is our trademark, and our crews arrive on time in uniform, driving fully equipped trucks. We specialize in all aspects of your chimney system. Whether you need chimney and flue cleaning service or a full chimney rebuild or inspection, contact us at 443-Chimney today and let us fix all your chimney problems. Also, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.