How fireplaces work ?

There are two types of wood burning fireplaces: masonry and zero-clearance (or factory built) models. How they are built and the components used during installation are different, but the principles of how they work is the same. So, let’s discuss the basics of how a wood burning fireplace operates.

THE MOST IMPORTANT DETAIL!

Combustion air, firebox size, equipment design and chimney height are all critical when it comes to burning wood in your fireplace. But the #1, most important detail is burning D-R-Y wood. Wood needs to be cut, split, stacked, covered from the rain and snow and left to air dry for a year. The moisture content of the wood you burn in your fireplace should be below 25%. The best practice is to get a year ahead on your wood supply. Wood cut, split and stacked this year, should be ready to burn next year. Burning dry wood in your fireplace will provide you with more heat and less smoke (creosote) out your chimney. Your routine maintenance will be easier and quicker, too!

THE CHIMNEY’S ROLE:

It’s been said that a chimney is the engine that powers a fireplace. Without an engine in your vehicle, you’re going nowhere, fast! With an inadequate engine or an under-powered one, you’re going to be frustrated and dissatisfied. Let’s understand how this analogy relates to the basic functions of a fireplace chimney.

There is a difference in air pressure from the firebox, (that is, where the actual fire is burning) and the top of the chimney. The warm air from the fire and this difference in air pressure creates air moving up the chimney. This ‘draft’ as it’s called, pulls the unburned by-products of combustion (the smoke) out of the fireplace.

AIR FOR COMBUSTION

The air that’s moving up the chimney is replaced by combustion air. Fireplaces have primary air controls that allows a specific amount of oxygen to get to the fire for combustion. If you remember your school science classes, you’ll recall that three things are necessary for fire to occur:  fuel, an ignition source and oxygen. By allowing a lot of air to the fire, you’ll get livelier flames, a hotter fire, more heat and shorter burn times from a load of wood. Reducing the amount of combustion air will result in lazier flames, less heat and longer burner times for the wood.

Other items that will affect the engine for your fireplace are environmental conditions, poor maintenance, improper installation, air supply and atmospheric pressure.  Environmental factors often have an effect on performance, too. Trees, adjacent structures, a house in a low-lying valley, extremely high wind conditions and bitterly cold temperatures often cause havoc in establishing a draft for a fireplace.

OTHER CHIMNEY CONSIDERATIONS:

The height of the chimney is important. If the chimney is too short, the draft will be difficult to establish. Too tall and there will be too much air moving through the chimney. The velocity of the draft could create excessively high temperatures and greatly reduce the burn times on a load of wood. Depending on the type of fireplace, most acceptable minimum heights for chimneys are around 12 – 15’ while the maximum height is usually in the range of 35 – 45’.

Consider the size, or the inside dimension of the chimney. Too small and the volume of air moving through the chimney may cause smoke to back up into the house. Too large, and the smoke may spend too much time in the chimney leading to lower draft temperatures and creosote forming.

Chimneys must extend up above the roof. They cannot be horizontally vented through a sidewall like a direct vent gas fireplace. Even on a flat roof, codes require at least 3 feet (0.91 m) of chimney above the roof. Since most roofs are pitched, the code also states a chimney must be two feet higher than anything measured within 10 feet (3.05 m) of it. Chimney sizing charts and extensive information are provided online.

The height of the chimney above the roofOPERATING THE FIREPLACE

Operating a wood-burning fireplace is not particularly difficult. Make sure the damper is fully open. Using dry kindling and a few wads of newspapers, get small pieces of wood actively burning. Then, add slightly larger pieces to it, until a bed of coals starts to develop. Gradually add larger logs to the fire.

Once the fire and coal bed has been established, the air control for the fireplace is the means to adjust the amount of heat delivered to the room. More air, more heat and shorter burn times. Less air, less heat but longer burn times.

If you have an open burning fireplace with no control over the amount of air, you essentially have a campfire burning in your living room with an 8 or 10” hole (the chimney) through your roof. Unless you plan to use the fireplace only a time or two each year, give serious thought to an insert. With an insert, you will still be able to enjoy the flames and the ambience, but will realize significantly more heat and have a back-up to your conventional furnace.

A NEARBY RESOURCE:

Remember that your WE LOVE FIRE dealer is an expert with fireplace and chimney questions. Experienced and nationally certified trained professionals are ready to assist you with accurate information, service, and maintenance work or new installations.

How fireplaces work _ - Insert Wood Fireplace Ambiance

Insert Wood Fireplace Ambiance

Below is a list of fireplace and grill stores that service ()

Auburn, AL

Top Hat Chimney Sweeps
1280 Financial Ct.
Auburn, AL 36830

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Elk Grove, CA

Custom Fireside Shops
9097 Elk Grove Blvd.
Elk Grove, CA 95624

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Sacramento, CA

Custom Fireside Shops
5455 Auburn Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95841

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Durango, CO

Durango Outdoor Living
140 Rock Point Drive
Durango, CO 81301

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Durango, CO

Four Corner Stoves & Spas
3001 Main Avenue
Durango, CO 81301

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Grand Junction, CO

Stove Depot and Chimney Works
330 North Ave.
Grand Junction, CO 81501

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New London, CT

Family Hearth and Patio LLC
571 Broad Street
New London, CT 06320

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Ridgefield, CT

Yankee Doodle, Inc.
71 Ethan Allen Highway
Ridgefield, CT 06877

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Dover, DE

Byler's Stove Shoppe Inc.
1368b Rose Valley School Rd.
Dover, DE 19904

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Destin, FL

Doodlebuggers Service Network
36054 Emerald Coast Parkway
Destin, FL 32541

Bettendorf, IA

Fireplaces Plus, Inc.
1745 State Street
Bettendorf, IA 52722

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Post Falls, ID

Quality Stoves & Home Furnishings
569 N Syringa St
Post Falls, ID 83854

Rockford, IL

Advanced Chimney Systems, Inc.
3486 Lonergan Drive
Rockford, IL 61109

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Wauconda, IL

Grass Roots Energy, Inc.
28751 N Route 12
Wauconda, IL 60084

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Evansville, IN

Firemaster, Inc.
5300 E Morgan Avenue
Evansville, IN 47715

Jeffersonville, IN

Olde Towne Chimney & Fireplace Sales
915 Nachand Ln
Jeffersonville, IN 47130

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Overland Park, KS

Kansas City Fireplace Center
10470 Metcalf Avenue
Overland Park, KS 66212

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Erlanger, KY

TateBuilder's Supply, LLC
3511 Dixie Highway
Erlanger, KY 41018

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Littleton, MA

Woodstove, Fireplace and Patio Shop, Inc.
60 White Street
Littleton, MA 01460

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Seekonk, MA

The Fireplace Showcase
775 Fall River Ave
Seekonk, MA 02771

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Sudbury, MA

Woodstove, Fireplace and Patio Shop, Inc.
348 Boston Post Road
Sudbury, MA 01776

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Duluth, MN

Duluth Stove & Fireplace
2431 W Superior Street
Duluth, MN 55806

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Minneapolis, MN

Woodland Stoves & Fireplaces
2901 Franklin Ave. South
Minneapolis, MN 55406

Oakdale, MN

Energy Savers of Minnesota
6298 Highway 36 Blvd N
Oakdale, MN 55128

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Rochester, MN

Brekke Fireplace Shoppe
1904 S. Broadway
Rochester, MN 55904

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Walker, MN

Wilkening Fireplace Company
9608 State 371 NW
Walker, MN 56484

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Fargo, ND

Home Heating, Plumbing & A/C Inc.
701 28th Street South
Fargo, ND 58103

Omaha, NE

Fireplace By Design
13913 R Plaza
Omaha, NE 68137

Epping, NH

The Stove Shoppe
285, Calef Highway Rte. 125
Epping, NH 03042

Windham, NH

The Stove Shoppe
25 Indian Rock Road
Windham, NH 03087

Hamilton, NJ

Bowden's Fireside - Hearth & Home
1731 Nottingham Way
Hamilton, NJ 08619

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Voorhees, NJ

Rettinger Fireplace Systems, Inc.
476 Centennial Blvd
Voorhees, NJ 08043

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St. Henry, OH

Buschur's Refrigeration, Inc.
541 N Eastern Avenue
St. Henry, OH 45883

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Media, PA

Chimney Cricket
101 State Road
Media, PA 19063

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Rapid City, SD

Hebron Brick Company
1543 Deadwood Ave
Rapid City, SD 57709

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Sioux Falls, SD

Hebron Brick Company
2211 W. 50th Street
Sioux Falls, SD 57105-6525

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Vermillion, SD

Kalin's Indoor Comfort Inc.
710 Cottage Avenue
Vermillion, SD 57069

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Manassas, VA

Winston's Chimney Service
11301 Industrial Road
Manassas, VA 20109

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Barre, VT

Chimney Sweep Fireplace Shop
1284 US Rte, 302 Ste 10
Barre, VT 05641-2317

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Bennington, VT

Friends of The Sun
126 Hicks Avenue
Bennington, VT 05201

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Manchester, VT

Friends of The Sun
159 Depot Street
Manchester, VT 05255

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Shelburne, VT

Chimney Sweep Fireplace Shop
3113 Shelburne Road
Shelburne, VT 05482

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White River Jnct, VT

Home Comfort of New England
1255 VA Cut Off Road
White River Jnct, VT 05001

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Burlington, WI

Burlington Fireplace & Heating LLC
857 Milwaukee Ave.
Burlington, WI 53105

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Madison, WI

Top Hat
5117 Verona Rd
Madison, WI 53711

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Morgantown, WV

Rustic By Design
709 Beechurst Ave. Suite 15
Morgantown, WV 26505

Laramie, WY

High Country Stoves & Fireplaces
860 N. 3rd Street
Laramie, WY 82072


For more information, contact your local fireplace and grill store.

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