Lighting a warm fire on a chilly winter night looks and feels wonderful, but it can be an expensive and inefficient endeavor. A wood-burning fireplace sends most of the heat in your house straight up the chimney… emitting as much as 24,000 cubic feet of air per hour to the outside, according to earthshare.org. However, there are ways you can limit your heat loss and still enjoy a relaxing evening by the fire.
Here are several tips to green up your wood-burning fireplace.
- Reduce heat loss by slightly opening the nearest window and closing the doors leading into the room.
- Burn hardwood such as oak or hickory, which give off more heat than softer woods.
- Check the seal on the flue damper and make it as snug as possible. Be sure to keep the damper closed when you aren’t using it.
- Have your chimney cleaned once a year.
- Install tempered glass doors and a heat-air exchange system that blows warmed air back into the room.
- Consider a gas or electric fireplace if you’re planning to install a new one. These provide the enjoyment of looking at flames but can be 70% more efficient than regular fireplaces.
Sources: Bliss Tree and Earth Share.
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This week’s tips made possible by Koch Hazard Architects.
Filed under: Education, energy, One Tip to Know
