Everybody enjoys the idea of a cozy fire on cold evenings. While fireplace designs have been evolving over the ages, your fireplace is unlikely to work well the first time you light a fire in it. It can either smoke, or not burn evenly, or exhibit other problems. These problems need to be sorted out as they arise to ensure that you have a great fire in your fireplace.
Knowing Where Your Damper is Set
One common problem with fireplaces is a closed damper. All fireplaces have a damper that is closed when the fireplace is not in use to ensure that treated air does not leave the house. However, it has to be opened fully to enable the smoke to leave via the chimney.
Chimney Placement
Apart from a closed damper, a short chimney can also lead to a smoky fireplace. The chimney should be at least 12 feet tall and protrude at least three feet above the roof of the house. Additionally, the chimney should be higher than any trees or structures within 10 feet of it to properly draw the smoke out.
Sometimes smoke does not escape the fireplace and up the chimney because the flue is too narrow for the width of the fireplace or the chimney is too clogged with soot. Getting the chimney cleaned can help reduce these problems.
Interference
Modern homes are normally air sealed to help reduce energy bills from climate control equipment. However, this can mean that there is very little fresh air entering the home, making the fireplace malfunction. This is because the fireplace heats air that then move up the chimney, forcing room that is not well ventilated or is tightly sealed can interfere with this process and prevent the fire from burning brightly.
Not Enough Heat
Another cause for a poorly burning fire could be wet or green logs. These logs have plenty of moisture in them that the fire will need to dry out; ensuring that very little heat is available for the room and its occupants.
Proper Ventilation
Modern homes are typically heated by furnaces that provide heated air via vents. If the vent in the room with the fireplace is open, the heated air from it will be too warm to be sucked into the fireplace, preventing the fire from burning properly. To fix this issue, the vent can be closed or relocated away from the fireplace. By addressing these issues it is possible to enjoy a warm fire and family time in front of a fireplace.