With winter coming, fireplace users are starting to get excited about the warm glow that will soon be emanating from their fireplace hearth. There is nothing like the warm glow of a fire on a cold night. Like everything else in your home, however, your fireplace and chimney need periodic maintenance.
First, have you had your fireplace cleaned recently? Creosote is a flammable material that can build up on chimney walls, and left undisturbed can start a chimney fire. Check with a chimney cleaner if your fireplace has not been cleaned in the last 3 years. This is important – don’t put this off.
Secondly, make sure your fireplace flue is working properly. The chimney sweep can check is for you, but you want to make sure that you can close the flue at the times you are not using your fireplace. Also, look into installing some kind of fireplace doors or enclosure around an open fireplace. Why do I suggest this? Would you keep a window open during the winter, letting heat flow out the open window? Of course not. Heating fuel is too expensive, and the house would be cold.
Not having some kind of fireplace doors that you can close when not using your fireplace is like leaving a window open when it’s cold. Heat rises, and if you have an open fireplace, heat will be drawn right into your fireplace and up your chimney. A good fireplace flue will slow this down, but installing a fireplace enclosure with glass doors that you can open when using the fireplace is even better. When not is use, close the flue, close the fireplace doors, and keep your heat in the house. You will save money, and your house will feel warmer.
With all that said, enjoy your fireplace and the warmth of a good fire.
David Lupberger, author of the book Managing the Emotional Homeowner, draws on more than two decades of experience in the residential remodeling field, working with remodelers to develop proven business systems. Through his work in the remodeling industry, he hopes to redefine the way the remodeling industry operates so that the trust between quality remodelers, their customers, suppliers, and trade contractors can be leveraged and improved. Visit David’s website at: www.DavidLupberger.com
I always try to prepare my house for the cold winter months and the maintenance of my fireplace is one of the two most important things that I always do. Another place that deserves particular attention when preparing my own home for winter is the attic. It usually takes me a lot of time to get rid of the unnecessary stuff that I usually keep there but the effort is always worth it. You wouldn’t believe it but even a little nest built by birds living there during the summer months can cause considerable damage to the insulation which is later reflected in your heating and air conditioning bills.
Great tip! Checking your attic (especially the insulation) should definitely be done to prepare for the winter!