Mankind has relied on fireplace warmth for centuries to keep their living spaces comfortable. Since the invention of modern heating, fireplaces now supply supplemental heating and more often, an inviting atmosphere. Some fireplaces are still manufactured to heat the house, but if yours isnandrsquo;t, use these tips to get more from it.
INSTALL A FIREPLACE INSERT.
It acts as a heat exchanger like those found in combustion furnaces. The metal panels that form the walls of the firebox will transfer the heat to another metal panel. Air circulates between the two walls and becomes hot. It blows back in to the room, which warms it. Since the air goes through a separate chamber sealed from the smoke and gases of the fire, your indoor air quality is unaffected.
UPGRADE TO GLASS DOORS.
A fireplace without doors pulls heat up the chimney whenever you have a fire. The heat from the fire increases the draft up the chimney, which naturally pulls heated room air up the chimney along with the combustion gases. Installing tempered glass doors and closing them once the fire is established will stop the heat loss up the chimney. Keeping them closed also prevents heat loss on days when the damper is open.
USE A VENTILATING GRATE.
Such a grate is available online that absorbs the heat from the burning fire and sends it back into the room. Itandrsquo;s a way to increase fireplace warmth without shrinking the size of the fire box.
REPLACE AGING EQUIPMENT WITH EPA-CERTIFIED STOVES OR FIREPLACES.
These units embed technology that not only makes them high efficiency home heaters, they also produce few gaseous or particle emissions.
BURN DRY WOOD.
Seasoned wood puts out more heat quickly than green or wet wood. It also produces less smoke and particulate matter.
It is possible to enjoy fireplace warmth and heat your home. For more information, call the pros at Valley Heating, Cooling, Electrical and Solar at (408) 868-5500. You can also visit our website for more information. We provide HVAC, solar and electrical services for Santa Clara County, Silicon Valley and South Bay Peninsula homeowners.