What to remember when using a wood-burning fireplace

We have said more than once that a wood-burning fireplace for heating a home means not only independence from gas and electricity, savings on utility bills, energy independence and environmental friendliness. A fireplace means warmth throughout the house, with a number of pleasant bonuses:

economical heating
care for the environment
independence from energy suppliers
a cosy and warm home
an interior feature
a corner where the whole family gathers

Both lighting the fire, loading the wood and watching it burn give real pleasure to owners of a fireplace heating system. Fire in the firebox is beautiful and mesmerising. Even psychologists confirm that watching a burning fireplace calms the nerves and helps you unwind at the end of the working day. And that is before we mention the festive mood at Christmas or New Year, when the whole family gathers at the table in front of the fire.

If you are thinking about installing a fireplace, the arguments above should point you towards the right decision. And if you have recently decided to install a fireplace in your house, here are several important details worth remembering when you use a wood-burning insert.

using a fireplace

^{in the photo: a SAVEN fireplace insert and a marble surround by the Ukrainian manufacturer Bravo}

What should you remember when using a fireplace?

Here are several important tips that owners of fireplace heating will need. When using fireplace heating it is important to know and to remember:

Set the flue damper to the "open" position before loading wood. Wait about a minute, and only then open the firebox door.
Keep the door closed while the wood is burning.
Open the door slowly: first open it slightly, wait a few seconds, then open it fully. This prevents smoke from entering the room.
Use protective gloves both when loading wood and when checking the flue, to avoid burns.
Important in bad weather (strong wind, snowstorms) or when the outside temperature is above +15°C. To avoid disturbed draught and combustion gases entering the room when the door is opened, put less wood in the firebox, open the air supply diaphragm wider and, if necessary, the flue damper. Once the draught stabilises, the air supply can gradually be reduced.

Why must the door be opened slowly?

Because of pressure. Inside a closed firebox the hot gases are in balance with the draught of the chimney. Opening the door abruptly breaks that balance: a rush of cold air disturbs the flow, and part of the smoke goes into the room instead of up the flue. Opening in two stages gives the chimney a second or two to adjust — which is enough.

How often should the fireplace be cleaned?

Ash should be removed from the firebox regularly, and always at the end of the heating season — it absorbs moisture, which harms the appliance. The chimney is swept at least once per heating season, and inspected through the access door about once a month. The glass, if the appliance has a clean-glass system and you burn dry wood, generally needs only occasional wiping.

Save this list, print it out and use it. And if you are still choosing an appliance, start with the straight inserts, corner inserts or steel fireplace stoves sections.

SAVEN — we care about the safe use of fireplace heating!