6 Tips to Make Your Fireplace Super-Efficient

Anyone who has endured a Wisconsin winter knows one thing is certain: it’s going to be cold all winter long. A fireplace is one of the ways we combat the cold, but if the fireplace isn’t running at peak efficiency, you won’t get much of a reprieve from the chill. Here are six ways to get the most out of your fireplace every winter.

Burn Seasoned wood

Dry wood burns hotter and more efficiently than damp (unseasoned) wood. It also creates a lot less smoke. After being cut, wood should be allowed to dry for a minimum of six months and stored in a place where it won’t get rained or snowed on.

Chimney cleaning

A clean chimney with a fully open flue creates a highly efficient draft that brings oxygen to your fire to keep it blazing and prevents smoke and dangerous toxins from backing up into your house.

Creosote and soot can build up inside a chimney to the point drafting is severely hindered. Annual chimney sweep services will ensure that the buildup doesn’t get out of hand.

Keep your chimney

In addition to creosote, outside debris like leaves, twigs, small critters and the nests they build can get into the flue. This not only can lead to a serious drafting obstruction, it can also serve as fuel (along with creosote) for a destructive chimney fire.

Make sure your damper works correctly

The fireplace damper should be fully open during fires to allow sufficient air to get to the burning log stack and keep the fire intense. Rusted or damaged dampers often won’t open fully – nor will they close efficiently when a fire isn’t burning, allowing warm internal air to escape up the chimney.

Fix excess drafts inside your home

If you have gaps in doorways, window frames or other parts of your home, cold air is going to come in and decrease your fireplace’s efficiency. You don’t want an “air-tight” house, but definitely use calking or other materials to prevent excess cold air from blowing in. Also, make sure your attic is well-insulated.

Convert an inefficient masonry fireplace

Open masonry fireplaces are lovely to look at but don’t do a great job when it comes to heating. You can solve this problem in one of three ways.

Add a fireplace insert: Inserts are like fireplaces in a box and are designed to fit right into a masonry firebox. They’re powerful heat producers and can run on wood, gas or pellets.

Add a gas log set: It’s fairly simple to convert your existing wood fireplace to a fireplace that uses efficient gas logs. You’ll get more heat and have much less mess to deal with.

Install a zero-clearance fireplace: Wood, gas and pellet ZC fireplaces are made in a factory and can be installed in virtually any wall in your home. They have their own vent pipe, produce high levels of heat and are powerfully insulated for safety.

Some of these winter tips for efficient heating can be handled by you. Other tips might need professional help. Chimney Specialists of Highland, WI, provides thorough chimney cleaning, damper inspection, flue inspection and ZC fireplace, insert and gas log installations. We’re here to help keep you warm until spring. Call (608) 929-4887 to speak with a certified fireplace and chimney expert.