5 tips so you get the most from your fireplace this season

If you own a fireplace, there’s a good chance it goes unused most of the year. However, you’ll be ready to start a cozy fire once the temperatures begin dropping and the fall and winter hit. Before you begin using your fireplace, we want to share some knowledge so you can get the full performance you expect from your fireplace.

The following are five tips to help you get the most out of your fireplace this season:

1. Prepare your fireplace for use

Since you probably haven’t used your fireplace since last March or April, you’ll want to prepare it for use.

Have a professional chimney sweeper inspect your fireplace and chimney. They will look for any cracks, gaps or creosote buildup in your chimney. You’ll want a clean chimney as this will help provide a good draft for the fire and will reduce the risk of a chimney fire.

2. Make sure you prepare the wood properly

Pay attention to the wood you burn in your fireplace. Wet or damp wood is no good as it will create more smoke. Your wood should be dried and seasoned before it’s ready to burn.

If you’re going to cut your wood yourself, make sure your pieces are not bigger than six inches in diameter to ensure they will burn properly. When storing your wood, stack it upside down to allow air to circulate between pieces. Cover your wood with a tarp to protect it from the rain if you are storing it outside.

3. Buy your wood locally

If you’d rather buy your firewood, do so from a local source and make sure it’s dry and seasoned. By buying locally sourced firewood you’ll be cutting down on your firewood’s environmental footprint.

4. Know the basics of starting a fire

To get the most warmth out of as little wood as possible, begin by using dry kindling to start the fire.

Add a few pieces of wood at a time and give the fire plenty of air to breathe.

When you add wood, make sure there is space between the different pieces – otherwise they will smother the fire.

Never add garbage, plastics, treated lumber or cardboard to your fire – burning these items can cause serious health problems. Once you’re done with your fire, remove the ashes from the fireplace. This will help maintain proper airflow through your future fires.

5. Spread the heat from your fireplace around your home

Without doing anything, you’ll probably notice that the heat created by your fire will remain around your fireplace. If anything, the heat will simply travel upwards. To spread the heat around your home more evenly, make use of your ceiling fans. By running your ceiling fans in a counterclockwise position, you’ll help to move warm air back down your walls and throughout the middle of your living areas.

Keep these tips in mind to get the best use out of your fireplace during the upcoming fire season. For information about our indoor or outdoor fireplaces, contact us at Stamford Fireplaces today.