Prevent The Smoky Smell Of A Fireplace

The winter has been a long and cold one. So naturally, you have been frequently using your wood fireplace to keep your den and living area warm. But now after a couple months, you have a smoky smell drifting through your home when there is no fire or wood in your fireplace, although you have never noticed any sign of smoke coming into your living area while a fire is lit.

This is a problem that is experienced by many after a long winter. The fires will slow down, but there is still the unwanted smell of wood and smoke in your home.

First, you should make sure your fireplace is clean. From the bottom where you burn your wood through the top of the chimney, a dirty fireplace can hold the smell of smoke and wood. If necessary, a chimney sweep should be hired to ensure that the inside of your fireplace is clean. If the smell continues, there could be other causes.

A fireplace is a major point of airflow in your home. While you burn your fire, an updraft is created that pushes the smoke and fire through the chimney. However, when there is no fire and, therefore, less updraft the airflow is not pushed up and can actually reverse from other forces in your home, bringing the smell into your living spaces. This often results in something called the "stack effect."

In taller, leakier homes or those with chimneys on outside walls exposed to outdoor temperatures, thermal influences bring a smoky smell into your home. As warm, lighter air rises in your home, it may be replaced by the cold, heavy air that is looking to escape from your unused fireplace, allowing the smoky smell of wood creosote from your fireplace to infiltrate your living areas. Rainy weather can also accelerate the stack effect.

To prevent the stack effect and the accompanying smell, you need to create resistance to the flow of air from your chimney.

- Close the fireplace damper when you are not using it, and check to be sure that your damper is not leaky.

- Add a tight-fitting glass fire screen. This will keep air from flowing in from your chimney.

- Mount a top-sealing damper at the top of your chimney. These are opened and closed by a cable through the inside of the flue.

- Provide a source of outside combustion air to your other combustion appliances, like your furnace, wood stove or water heater, to reduce the demand for replacement air.

You can buy a deodorizer to temporarily rid your room of the smell of smoke and wood. However, making a few small changes will greatly reduce the chance of the smell returning to the inside of your home, regardless of how often you use your fireplace next winter.

The Basics of a Gas Fireplace

A fireplace using natural gas brings warmth in the home during the winter season. Other benefits of this kind of fireplace are the price, cost efficiency, and environment friendliness, while also adding style and accent to your home. There are many other benefits of natural gas fireplace, including:

Continuous heat: A natural gas fireplace can offer you a constant source of heat unlike log fireplace.

No carrying wood: You don't have to gather wood, and season it, and burn it in your gas fireplace.

No hot embers: You don't have to clean ashes and other wood burning debris after using a natural gas fireplace.

Saves Energy: You can save up to 25% on energy costs in a natural gas fireplace.

Simple and Easy to use: A natural gas fireplace is fast and easy to use because all you have to do is turn it on and off. Unlike wood burning fires, gas fireplaces are easy to extinguish.

Safe to use: Natural gas fireplaces are safe and environmentally friendly, because there is no smoke and dirt or debris. If properly vented, it will not produce any harmful elements in your home.

Stylish: Natural gas fireplaces have different designs, shapes, sizes, and styles that will surely add value and elegance to your home. Design has improved, and more style has been invested as the years have gone by.

Warmer: Some gas fireplaces have a blower that delivers warm air more quickly in your home, not just in its immediate area.

Remote Control: Some companies produce natural gas fireplaces with remote controls, just like with your TV, to make it easier to use.

No restrictions: Some states forbid log firewood due to issues regarding the environment.

Installation: This can be installed much more easily, and is less expensive than log firewood.

No storage: You do not have to keep and store gas, because it can be bought from local gas vendors. This is unlike with log fireplaces, where you have to store wood.

Safe for kids: This is safer for kids and pets, because of the lack of need for fire starting equipment.

No creosote: It does not produce creosote, and thus, no need for chimney cleaning. You will want to have it inspected once or twice a year, though.

The first thing that you need to consider in choosing the area for your fireplace is to know how you want your fireplace to contribute to the overall look of your house. Consider an area, including its parameters and layout, to see if the fireplace will fit properly. There should be enough space for you to move in after you have built your fireplace. Measure the space to get an idea of how big (or small) your fireplace will be. This will also help you decide on what style or design will fit in your chosen location. Provide space also for other furnishings that need to be placed in your living room.

A gas burning fireplace is better if you will be starting from scratch. This prevents you from installing other types of chimneys. If you have wood hearth installed already, you may want to convert it to a gas fireplace. Others may decide on wood fireplaces because of the thrill of cutting and burning wood in the fireplace. Also, it gives them a more traditional look. Fireplaces also come with different accessories that you also need to be placed in your house. Fireplace screens, mantles, and wood racks should have a place in your living room as well. Materials for fireplaces varies between wood, copper, iron, bricks and marble. Choose the one that will complement the other furniture and style in your living room. This will help you fully appreciate the beauty of your fireplace and living room.

Installing a fireplace in your home makes it cozier, warmer, and more intimate. It also increases the value of your house. Fireplaces are a really good accent to your house, beside the fact that they are very important too. Fireplaces are also ideal for bonding time with family and for relaxation. Choosing where to place your fireplace in your home can be one of the most stressful decisions that you may encounter when beautifying your home.