By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team
Fireplaces are one of the most sought-after home features, but using one can be intimidating, and you’ve probably got questions.
Here’s a quick guide to get you and your fire started this fall.
How do I use a wood-burning fireplace?
If a cave man can start a fire, so can you. 1. Get your chimney inspected Safety is your first priority! Have your fireplace and chimney inspected by a licensed professional. This is something you should do every year, before the first fire of the season. 2. Prepare the fireplace Clean out any old ashes with a broom (make sure they’re cool, of course). Check that the damper is open and working properly. 3. Gather and prep your wood Use seasoned hardwood that has been split and dried for at least six months — preferably for a year. Seasoned hardwood logs should be dark and cracked at the ends, and they should make a hollow sound when knocked together. To construct a long-lasting fire, place a rolled-up ball of newspaper beneath the grates. Then lay pieces of narrow, finely split wood in a crisscross pattern on the grates. Finish the stack by securely resting one to three dry logs over the kindling. 4. Prime the flue This step heats the cold air inside the flue so you don’t get a backup of smoke. Before you light the fire, light a tightly rolled-up sheet of newspaper, and hold it toward the open damper. Keep it there for a minute or two until you see the smoke going up the flue. 5. Light it up! Now you’re ready to light your fire and enjoy. If the fire starts to go out, gently fan the flames with folded newspaper or use a poker to get the air flowing again. Add logs to the fire with tongs to provide more fuel. When the fire has gone out for the night, close the metal or glass doors before you go to bed.Are fireplaces efficient?
It depends. Wood-burning fireplaces, for all their old-fashioned charm, are a wildly wasteful way to heat a house. Since heat rises upward, most of it escapes through the chimney, even when the fire has gone out for the night. Fireplaces located against an outside wall lose even more heat, since much of it is lost to the cold outdoor air. Solution? Only use your wood-burning fireplace for special occasions. If you don’t plan on using your fireplace often, purchase an inflatable plug to add insulation. Gas fireplaces are more efficient, and the newest models are realistic enough to make you forget that you don’t own any firewood. Switching to a gas insert is expensive, though, especially if you have to make changes to your chimney. If aesthetics are all that matter, use your fireplace to display lit candles.Are fireplaces safe?
Fire is the very definition of unsafe, but that doesn’t mean you can’t safely enjoy your fireplace. You just have to maintain it and practice common sense:- Keep flammable materials and objects away from the fireplace, and store firewood well away from the house.
- To keep embers from flying out and igniting your unread stack of magazines, use a mesh or metal screen when the fire is lit.
- Before lighting the first fire of the season, inspect your extinguishers, test your smoke detectors and review your family’s evacuation routes.
- Continue to test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors monthly.
- The glass doors, mesh screen and tools can be dangerously hot. If you have children, use a free-standing barrier to prevent burns.
