Fireplaces can be efficient providers of heat during cold winter months, but homeowners need to do their part to ensure fires burn well to keep their heating bills in check.
Burning your fire efficiently means maximizing the heat output, while minimizing effort. To help you get the most out of your fireplace, we’ve developed five tips to increase efficiency.- Use dry, well-seasoned wood that burns clean and efficiently, providing maximum heat. The best firewood is seasoned in a covered area — like a garage or shed — for at least six months.
– Stack the wood in the fireplace in layers. This will help your fire burn for hours with little work. The pay-off? A long-lasting, heat-producing fire.
– Install a fireplace insert to significantly reduce the amount of heat that escapes your home through the flue. Fireplace inserts are designed to fit into existing masonry fireplaces for ease of installation.
– Mount a fireback in the fireplace. A fireback will help reflect heat out of the fireplace and into the living space while protecting the firebox, which is its primary purpose.
– Carefully consider any energy lost through the chimney when not using your fireplace. It’s relatively easy to see increased energy savings when burning a fire, but an open chimney will allow cold air into the home and will help your heat escape when the fireplace is not in use. Install a tight-fitting damper to seal off the chimney to keep warm air in, and cold air out.
In addition to these tips, Rooftop Chimney can ensure your fireplace and chimney are efficient by inspecting and cleaning them thoroughly. As a chimney cleaning service and fireplace service company, we have the knowledge and ability to clean your chimney and offer more tips on burning an efficient fire.
Whether you live in Washington, D.C., or McLean, we can provide you with the fireplace service you need. For more information about fireplace inserts, firebacks, or our chimney cleaning service, contact us today.