Monday, October 29, 2018
Practical Charm: Tiny House Wood Stoves
EPA certifies stoves for both particulate emissions and carbon monoxide and other hazardous gas emissions. Particulates can be thought of as solid air pollution that happens when we burn wood. The very efficient new stoves burn every bit of wood they can, reducing particulate emissions. The design of the new stoves, and their materials, means these stoves are very efficient in the way they burn wood and they produce very little particulate matter. The design also keeps the stoves from leaking carbon monoxide and other gases into the interior or exterior environment.
Rule of thumb: only consider EPA certified tiny wood stoves. We have a number of good options that are also safe. If you burn wood inside, have a carbon monoxide alarm.
How many BTUs does it take to change a lightbulb? That's not a real joke, because there has never been a good joke about BTUs in the history of the world. BTUs are very down to earth and practical, not jokesters at all. Here is what you need to know. BTUs are an international standard unit that describes heat output. When tiny houses are well made, too much heat can be a problem with wood stoves sized for larger houses. When the stoves are too small or not very efficient, they need to be restocked with wood to make it through the night. The tiny wood stove needs to match the size of the house, and this is calculated by BTUs.
Rule of thumb: Ballpark BTU needs for tiny houses are about 11,500 for 140 square feet and 27,000 for 500 square feet. On a boat, the calculation is volume of space to heat X 15.
To find out how you can add this charming piece to your home, contact a chimney sweep in NYC. They'll be able to assess your living situation and recommend any next steps that you need to take before adding a tiny house wood stove!
Monday, October 22, 2018
How Did the Creosote Buildup Happen?
Many homeowners are surprised to learn that they have creosote on the inside of the chimney. Several reasons can contribute to its formation.
- Using the wrong firewood. Picking the right fuel is a bit of an art. The use of green wood, which is a term that describes freshly cut pieces, frequently increases smoke production. Do it often enough, and it also produces the creosote buildup. In some cases, the use of popular artificial logs can contribute to the problem.
- Insufficient airflow. The fire does not get hot enough when the fireplace doors cut off airflow. Another culprit is a partially opened damper. Smoke gets trapped inside the chimney. In the process, it deposits creosote on the walls.
- Infrequent chimney inspections. If you do not use the fireplace a lot, consider an annual inspection. When it is a primary heat source, call the experts out twice a year. Failure to do so allows the creosote to build up, since it does not get cleaned out properly
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
Water Damage on Your Chimney
To avoid the presence of efflorescence on the chimney and to avoid any problems with water damage, prevention is key. Ensuring that flashing is properly installed, the cap is in place and in good working shape and sealing any cracks or damage to the masonry will ensure water damage is kept at bay. Keeping the chimney clear of debris is also important to keep the chimney is safe working order.
Annual inspections by a chimney professional will ensure that any potential issues are located and fixed before they turn into something big. It's recommended that you go with a chimney service from Warminster PA, as they know how to handle water damage better than anyone else.
Annual inspections by a chimney professional will ensure that any potential issues are located and fixed before they turn into something big. It's recommended that you go with a chimney service from Warminster PA, as they know how to handle water damage better than anyone else.
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