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June 16, 2010
Scheduling an inspection and cleaning of your wood stove or wood burning insert is an important task. Not only are you protecting your home and family, but you’re also protecting the investment that was made in your appliance by ensuring that it lasts.
A qualified technician will come to your home at your convenience to inspect the appliance and keep it in peak working order. Multiple inspections are done and a thorough cleaning is looked after, restoring the strength, efficiency and attractiveness of your wood stove or wood insert.
The wood burning appliance will be cleaned as the inspection continues, with various parts and messy build up capturing attention. The firebox will be vacuumed out and excess ash removed. Your wood stove exterior will be cleaned to a shine and the glass doors buffed up using a specially formulated product. Any creosote that has built up on the interior of your stove will be removed and the system will be almost like new again.
Inspections are done to ensure that the unit is operating well, with maximum efficiency and minimum emissions.
The intricate elements are inspected. From gaskets and sealers, damper control assemblies and air exchange tubes to secondary burn chambers, the complicated and technical parts are looked at closely. Baffles are also inspected and if your unit has blowers, they are looked as well.
Then the technician turns to the other parts of your wood stove. Any handles, brackets, bolts and screws are checked for rust and proper function. The firebrick and grates are inspected, as are any soapstone components if they are included in your model. The metal and iron on the wood stove is looked over for signs of warping.
Clearances around the unit are double checked and the stones and bricks surrounding it are looked over for any wear. Your wood supply will be inspected for quality and storage set up.
During the service call, you have plenty of opportunity to talk to the technician about proper operation of the unit and any problems or questions you may have. Their knowledge and expertise are extremely helpful and you will be informed in detail about any necessary repairs.
Having this service done by a company you can trust is important. Fireplace Village not only has a vast selection of the top wood stove brands in the business, they offer impeccable service as well. Ask about their full service and qualified staff to have your maintenance needs looked after by the pros.
February 15, 2010
To build a safe, efficient and down right beautiful fire every time, homeowners need to learn how to start a fire in a wood stove. These short, simple steps will provide the optimum heat, efficiency and comfort for your home.
Start with dry hardwood for fuel. You should buy firewood that has had a chance to dry for nine months before burning, as wet, soft wood makes for a smoky, inefficient fire. Also, green wood causes plenty of sparks and burns cooler than seasoned wood. Make sure to dry all firewood from moisture caused by elements such as snow and rain.
Gather some clean, dry newsprint paper to start the fire in a wood burning stove. Don’t use glossy, coated paper or anything with adhesives on it (like envelopes). Crumple the newspaper into balls and place at the bottom of your stove. Stack kindling (small, thin wood pieces) on top of the paper in a teepee or pyramid shape. This provides the proper airflow to get the fire burning well.
Light the paper in a few spots and let the kindling catch fire. Add kindling when necessary until all is burning well. Only use paper at the beginning of the fire, as it creates a lot of floating ash when added on top of the kindling.
Keep the door to your stove open. Also make sure the air control is completely open before starting the fire. This allows air flow through the wood stove, feeding the fire with needed oxygen. Don’t keep the door wide open enough for sparks to escape and cause damage to the flooring or surrounding area. Wait until the smoke is disappearing up the stovepipe before completely closing the door. This indicates good combustion is present.
Once kindling is burning well, add larger and larger logs until you have a base of fuel that will continue to burn for the desired length of time. If you throw a large log onto a small fire, you’ll only smother the flames. Be sure to open the door slowly when adding logs or use a top loader for convenience and safety.
As the fire gets going you can alter the air control settings – check your manual for instructions. Remember that the lower the setting, the longer the fire will burn.
Learning how to properly start a fire in a wood stove is an important task to ensure safe and efficient use. Your family will enjoy many hours in front of the wood stove basking in the warmth and comfort of a well built fire.
February 2, 2010
Once your wood stove is installed, you should become familiar with its parts and their operation. The proper and timely maintenance of your wood stove can reduce the possibility of a fire. There are thousands of wood stove fires every year. Most wood stove fires can be avoided with proper installation, operation and maintenance. The following points concerning your stove pipe and chimney should be carefully checked during the initial set up and maintenance of a wood burning stove:
• The stove pipe should be of 22 or 24 gauge metal.
• The total length of the stove pipe is less than 10 feet.
• There is at least 18 inches between the top of the stove pipe and the ceiling or other combustible material.
• The stove pipe enters the chimney higher than the outlet of the stove firebox.
• The stove pipe does not extend into the chimney flue lining.
• The inside thimble diameter is the same size as the stove pipe for a snug fit.
• The stove pipe does not pass through a floor, closet, concealed space or enter the chimney in the attic.
• A UL approved “All Fuel” metal chimney is used where a masonry chimney is not available or practical.
• The chimney should extend at least 3 feet above the highest point where it passes through the roof and 2 feet above any portion of the building within 10 horizontal feet of the chimney.
• The chimney flue lining should not be blocked and the chimney flue and stove pipe kept clean.
• If you connect the stove to an existing chimney, the chimney should be inspected by a professional before using the stove.
After the installation of the wood stove, Fireplace Village recommends the following precautions be taken to minimize the risk of fire and to ensure the greatest amount of safety in your home:
• Make sure the smoke detectors on all levels of your home are operating properly and change the batteries at least annually.
• Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home.
• Keep small children away from the stove. A touch to the wood stove’s surface can result in severe burns. A child safety gate (or hearth gate) is always a good idea with small children and pets in the home.
• Develop and practice an escape plan from all rooms (especially bedrooms) in the house.
• Keep local fire department phone number on speed dial or easily accessible.
Fireplace Village sells a number of wood stove accessories that address fire safety, including carbon monoxide detectors, ash buckets, woodstove pipe thermometers, creosote destroying logs and Chimfex Fire Suppressant. Visit one of our New Hampshire locations to purchase wood stove fire safety accessories or buy fire safety products online.
February 1, 2010
Woodstoves are a popular alternative heating source for many homeowners, especially those who own older model homes and those in colder climates. Make sure to take proper precautions when burning a wood stove. Proper woodstove operation will ensure that you enjoy the added comfort while minimizing the risk to your family and home.
- Open the dampers before starting a fire in a wood stove.
- Vent your stove properly and insulate vent from flammable materials.
- Keep dry wood away from the stove.
- Remember that slow burning fires can create creosote and soot problems. Small hot fires in a wood stove are more efficient.
- Have your wood stove and chimney cleaned and inspected annually for creosote build-up and cracks in mortar or chimney flues.
- Use only firewood that is properly seasoned to reduce creosote build-up.
- Properly remove and store ash in a sealed metal container.
Fireplace Village use the Heating Safety guide from the New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning. The guide provides good common sense advice regarding wood stove, fireplace and fireplace insert operation and maintenance. As well as, furnaces, chimneys and carbon monoxide dangers and detection.
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