Wood-burning fireplaces have a reputation for wasting a substantial amount of heat that simply goes up the chimney instead of warming the room. Newer models, however, have been designed for significantly greater efficiency. Contractors who install wood fireplaces in Huntington, NY, can explain the differences between the traditional features and these more recently developed models.
Energy Issues
An old-fashioned fireplace converts less than 20 percent of the wood’s energy into heat for the home. In some cases, the fireplace actually pulls warm air from the home up the chimney, requiring the furnace to run more. A wood stove insert is a possibility for much greater efficiency, but many homeowners love the traditional look of wood fireplaces in Huntington, NY.
New Designs
A couple of designs provide more heat. One has a shallower box so less heat is lost through the chimney. Another brings in outdoor air for combustion while circulating inside air around the fireplace. This design is particularly interesting to people who are concerned about the air pollution caused by traditional fireplaces in the form of smoke, carbon monoxide, ash and wood particles.
Seasoned Wood
Homeowners can boost the efficiency of a fireplace with certain strategies. Only burning seasoned wood is essential because new wood has too much moisture. Energy from the fire now works on drying up the moisture instead of warming the room. Burning seasoned wood also reduces the amount of creosote that builds up inside the chimney.
Wood fireplaces can be installed by Basic Energy East, which provides information.
