I have a fireplace. Now What?
Over the summer, I moved to Victor. The house has a fireplace in the family room. I thought “That’ll be nice this Fall.” Fall is here, and I just realized I have NO idea what goes into running a fireplace!
I’ve had very little experience with them before. The first was as a kid. My best friend Dana had a wood stove. It was the main source of heat for the whole house. That meant that every fall, we lost a Saturday to the woodpile. The two of us had to lug a couple truck loads of wood down into his basement and stack it. That’s how every teenage boy wants to spend his day, right?
My mother in law has one, but I only see it around Christmas time, and it’s already going when I get there. The only other fireplace I’ve had ANY responsibility for is at my father in law’s house. His is different. If you’re cold, pick up THE REMOTE and turn it up. When you go to bed, pick up THE REMOTE and turn it off. I gotta get me one of those.
My fireplace is a good old wood burning fireplace. I don’t know much about it except that it passed inspection, and the clean out thingy is in my basement. That’s it. I’m sure I can look up the basics online somewhere. I could also stop into a local showroom and ask a bunch of dumb questions. I’m afraid of doing that though, because stupid me will walk out holding a receipt with a comma in the dollar amount and a new remote.
I guess what I really need to find out is how much wood will I need for the winter? How much should it cost? I’ll probably use it most on the weekends. Do I just get those prepackaged logs at Wegmans? I might be jumping the gun a little, I haven’t even closed my pool yet. Maybe I’ll go do that right now. Right after I Google “How to close a pool.”
October 2nd, 2009 at 11:23 am
Dem; First of all, inspection pass doesn’t mean clean. I would seriously consider a chimney sweep before anything, if you have built up Creosote in the stack, you can burn your house down very easily. Next, start with the logs from Wegman’s fine, but you will save money getting a facecord delivered to the house, split is more expensive but easier to deal with than log cord. You can keep it piled outside as long as it is covered from the elements with a tarp or simple 2 x 4 lean to roof, but you’ll have to venture to re-stock inside. Facecord split and delivered can be had for about $50 - $60 maximum. Also make sure it is seasoned two to three years minimum and bug free. The more the bugs have eaten the less quality of heat and less wood you are getting. Face cords are measured not weighed.
Hope this helps, if you need any more advise, track me down when you’re out smoking. Hahaha
T
October 2nd, 2009 at 12:48 pm
dem,
If your fireplace is not an airtight it will actually not help heat your house. Yes the room will get warmer while the fire is going but you have to leave the flue open until the fire is completely out for all smoke to go up the chimney. That will cause all of your warm air to also go up the chimney.
October 9th, 2009 at 10:06 am
Dem, Make sure you heat the chimney before you start a fire. If you don’t, the cold air in the chimney will force the smoke back into your room. (Just light a rolled up piece of newspaper and wave it around directly inside the fireplace directly below the chimney.) Also, you have to start a small fire with tinder and kindling before you can actually add logs to it. Hopes this helps!
PS- DON’T buy wood from Wegman’s - too expensive!
October 12th, 2009 at 8:46 am
Delivered split face cord is the way to go. Be very careful when you buy pre-packaged logs from Wegmans or Walmart, they are much more expensive and they are designed for the occasional fire.
Make sure you have a standup screen in front of the fire place, it is not uncommon for “green” or wet wood to pop and shoot sparks out of the fire place, if an ember lands on your couch or lazy boy, you got big problems. A fire place cleaning kit is advisable also, call a chimney sweep. As the hot gases and smoke travel up your chimney they cool and stick to your walls.
Stay Warm!
October 12th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
Dem, I also had a new house last year. Thought Oh great a cozy fireplace for the winter months. Well after 6.5 face cords of wood later. And lots of stacking. My Energetics bill went up $200 a month. Got to love wood burning fireplaces! So last Feb. my wife and I started looking for gas units. The problem was that they all looked fake. We finally found a realistic looking one at Cricket on the hearth. A little pricey, but worth the savings in my utilities bill. I am guessing somewere in the neighborhood of at least $150 per month.
But if you are going to use the fireplace, make sure there is a draft before you start the fire. Or you’ll end up with a house full of smoke. I know this from experience!
October 17th, 2009 at 8:48 am
Hi, Dem,
After I read your entry the other day, it gave me an idea.
I’m a freelance writer so I did a piece (on spec) on how to make a fire in a fireplace. Sure enough- they bought it! I wanted to share the link with you http://www.associatedcontent.com/article…) and thank you for the idea!
Have a great day,
Kay
October 17th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Hi Dem…Sitting here looking through the blogs and kind of chuckled seeing yours as both my husband & i both have worked for Fireplace Fashions in Irondequoit for 12 years,they’re a family owned business since 1957 and could definitly help you with your fireplace. Several options available..remotes are a wonderful thing! I myself cant imagine life without one…convert to a wood or gas insert. Come visit the showroom as they have many options for you to actually see…that by the way are VERY realist looking- Hope to see you there