Archive for September, 2008
Is your fireplace keeping you warm and cosy? – Tips for better heat.
Friday, September 26th, 2008 by PyroWith the growing trend in restoring to use those fireplaces that have been bricked or boarded up, it is important that these restored fireplaces and chimneys are working efficiently. For wood or coal burning fires to burn well, a good supply of air is required along with a chimney to expel the hot exhaust gases and smoke. Also the fuel should be held in a grate clear of the hearth floor allowing full circulation of the air and waste ash to fall through, so as not to stifle the fire. If the chimney or flue is inadequate or the flow of air insufficient, the fire will not function effectively.
In his thesis on the principles of fireplace design published in1799, Count Rumford emphasized the importance of the size of the flue compared with the size of the fireplace opening. He recommended that the cross-sectional area of the flue should be about a tenth of the size of the opening. However, fireplaces tended to be smaller after the mid nineteenth century. Modern flue liner manufacturers favor a ratio of one to seven, and there are sizing charts published that give details of current standards.
If your fire smokes or won’t burn properly, see if opening a window improves matters. If it does, you need better ventilation in the room. One solution is to install a window vent, although this may cause a troublesome cross draft. A much more efficient form of ventilation is either a single ducted vent set into the floor in front of the fireplace, or twin ducted vents set into the floor or external walls on each side of the chimney breast.
When wood and coal are burned, flammable gases, tarry substances, acids and dust are given off. However, because domestic stoves are relatively inefficient not all of these substances are consumed. Instead, they rise up the chimney and some of them condense on the inside of the flue. Unburned carbon combines with these tars and acids creating soot; which builds up over a period of time thus reducing the size of the flue. It is important to have regularly used chimneys swept at least twice a year, ideally before, during and at the end of the heating season and the local trade directories contain details of fully qualified and suitably insured sweeps. A soot laden flue is a fire hazard, since the unburned elements of the soot can ignite, causing a chimney fire which can reach high temperatures and damage the chimney.
If a flue is too large, its size can be reduced to improve its efficiency by the fitting of a liner. A variety of methods and materials are used, including flue liners made of flexible stainless steel, ceramic, lightweight concrete sections, or concrete cast in situ. Other ways of reducing the fireplace opening in order to improve fire efficiency is to raise the level of the hearth or to fit a baffle across the top of the opening. If raising the hearth level or adding a baffle are not practical or unsightly then it may be worth asking a fireplace specialist whether fitting a metal smoke hood or canopy in the opening is the best solution.
Richard Banks is a contractor with many years experience in home remodelling and improvements. For more information on fireplaces visit Fireplace Capital
Outdoor Heating Systems Bring a Summer Feel to Winter Backyard Entertaining
Friday, September 26th, 2008 by PyroWhile many elements come into play in backyard entertaining, one element that shouldn’t is the weather. Cold weather shouldn’t put the kibosh on your next outdoor party or get together, but too often the forecast play a major role in the quality of your outdoor living. Short of huddling under patio umbrellas all night long, Patio Discounts believes the key to a backyard party that lasts year round is a great outdoor heating system. Our amazing selection of gas heaters, electric heaters, and electric fireplaces will go a long way towards turning a cold spell to a hot snap in no time at all.
Patio Discounts offers a number of heaters sure to suit the specifics of your patio or outdoor entertaining space. Electric heaters are an amazing choice in that they are both convenient and cost effective. They can be permanently installed, eliminating the need for storage, and are the epitome of an easy installation. Simply plug it in and let your household currents do all the work. Best of all, you’ll escape the types of fumes sometimes associated with gas or propane heaters, enjoying an odorless heat that is noticeable only in the comfort that it brings.
Curling up beside a nice fire on a cold winter’s night is one of the simple pleasures of life, and while you won’t be curling up next to it an electric fireplace for your patio can have the same soothing effect. Great looking and cost efficient, an electric fireplace is often the final piece in turning an everyday patio into a true entertainment hub. A number of stylish fireplace options are available that are certain to be compatible with the style you’ve chosen for your patio. There’s more than one way to turn up the heat during the cold winter months, and an electric fireplace courtesy of Patio Discounts is at the top of the list.
Summer is just around the corner, but cold temperatures won’t be far behind. Discover amazing discounts now on the heating systems you’ll depend on when colder weather comes around again. Make sure your patio and backyard is open year round for fun with family and friends, and bring a touch of summer to outdoor entertaining in the winter months.
Mike Workman is the owner and operator of Patio Discounts.com. Heaters, electric fireplaces, electric heaters, fire pits, patio umbrellas and other outdoor products are offered at Patio Discounts furniture.
Wood Pellet Stoves – The future is heating up
Thursday, September 25th, 2008 by PyroIf you are tired of hauling and splitting loads of cordwood, storing it and then carrying it again into the home, but still desire the ambience and radiance of a wood burning stove, then it may be time to check out the benefits of a wood pellet stove. Although on a direct cost comparison basis, the pellet fuel works out more expensive, it does come ready to use, and the wood pellet stove takes considerably less effort to operate and clean.
Using pellets of compressed sawdust, that provide obvious benefits for the home and environment, woodburning pellet stoves come in a wide variety of styles,both traditional and modern, as well as size, finish and heating output. More clean burning than traditional stoves, some wood pellet stoves are equipped with fans and thermostats for distributing the heat output more evenly within the room. As a rule of thumb most wood pellet stoves store about three days fuel, and require on average cleaning once a month; a simple job of just emptying an ashtray. Whilst freestanding wood pellet stoves offer greater design positioning flexibility, fireplace insert models are available as well as wood pellet furnaces that can be installed in basements or outhouses to heat the whole house. Depending on the manufacturer such as St.Croix stoves or Lancaster pellet stoves, these appliances can provide a heat output of anywhere between 10000 and 50000 BTU per hour.
As noted earlier, wood pellet stoves come in a wide variety of styles, sizes and finishes, but the first important decision when making a choice is the basic configuration of the stove. Freestanding pellet stoves offer the greatest flexibility in installation choice. Supported by a pedestal or on legs, freestanding pellet stoves are designed to be installed in almost any living area of the home, but they must be installed on a non-combustible floor protector. An added advantage is that wood pellet stoves can be installed much nearer to combustible surfaces than is required by more traditional heating stoves.
Wood pellet stoves that are designed to be fireplace inserts can be readily installed into existing fireplaces and decorative panels are available to cover the space between the fireplace insert and the fireplace opening. Some wood pellet fireplace inserts are approved only for use in masonry fireplaces, whilst others can also be installed in approved factory built metal fireplaces. Built-in wood pellet stoves are an economical choice that offers homes without an existing fireplace, the look of an insert in a fireplace setting. Non-combustible materials such as brick can be applied to the area around the front of the wood pellet stove to give the appearance of a fireplace. Once again a non-combustible floor protector is required, sometimes with additional spacers to provide an air space under the unit. pellet furnaces are larger appliances designed to heat an entire house through ductwork. They are usually installed in a basement or outhouse and like all wood pellet stoves require efficient venting to the outside through an approved vent or flue.
As with all types of heating stoves, it is important when installing wood pellet stoves to ensure that they have an efficient means of expelling the waste gases and smoke, usually a chimney or compatible flue. It is advisable to seek advice from a certified dealer/installer who will advise and if required supply and install a suitable venting system. Indeed most suppliers of wood pellet stoves offer a complete installation service.
Richard Banks is a contractor with many years experience in home remodelling and improvements. For more information on fireplaces visit Fireplace Capital
A Fireplace Heat Exchanger Can Help With Heating Costs
Thursday, September 25th, 2008 by PyroMany people use their fireplaces to save on heating costs during the winter. In general, this is a good practice as long as they keep safety in mind. But it’s not uncommon for people to realize that they’re not getting the heat they expected from their fireplace.
In reality, many people will sense that the room becomes colder if the fire is going, and they have to hover near the fire to stay warm. This leaves many wondering how other houses with a fireplace get that toasty warm feeling throughout.
The answer is both simple and complicated all at the same time. If you’re experiencing an unusual chill in other rooms when you have your wood burning fireplace running, you simply need a fireplace heat exchanger. This is the easy part; the more difficult component is figuring out just why you need it.
The point of the matter is that the fire in an open wood burning fireplace will consume a good chunk of the air in your home that was already heated to a comfortable room temperature. As the fireplace uses up this air, it also puts some back; unfortunately, the replacement is unheated outside air. That’s the explanation for why a burning fire in one room causes the rest of your home to become colder.
But don’t despair; the answer lies in purchasing a fireplace heat exchanger. It’s possible to chase away the cold in the other areas of your home by simply putting in a heat exchanger and some glass doors.
If you have an open wood burning fireplace, a heat exchanger is essential; it’s unfortunate that so many people don’t realize this. Eventually, they either remain chillled or they put out more money and time attempting to keep out the cold outside air. It’s impossible to win the war against cold air without this particular fireplace accessory.
To buy a fireplace heat exchanger, you’ll likely spend somewhere in the neighborhood of five hundred dollars. Also, you will need to purchase a set of glass doors or that five hundred for the heat exchanger will just be wasted.
Attractive Japanese Landscape Design
Thursday, September 25th, 2008 by PyroEasy To Maintain Japanese Landscape Design
After careful design, planting and arranging your Japanese landscape design there would be little to do accept sit back and enjoy the tranquility it creates. The garden should include some traditional Japanese stonework, a trickling water feature or pond, as well as the groomed evergreens.
Some of the most beautiful Japanese gardens have some type of water feature, which is often a small pond or stream if room allows. Water in this type of garden helps create the overall look and feel of peace and tranquility, making it a vital element. To not only complement the look but to actually make the water more functional, you could consider a Japanese garden bridge.
Japanese Garden Bridge
With a Japanese garden bridge, you would actually walk over the water features or simply stand or sit on the bridge to soak up the gorgeous view. After all, a Japanese garden design also features tons of greenery in the form of plants, flowers, shrubs, and trees, bamboo fences, waterfalls, statues, lanterns, lily pads, pebble walkways, and so on. In fact, for the larger gardens, some will also feature a teahouse, which is authentic.
The Japanese garden bridge is typically constructed from wood or stone with a design that fits with the Japanese style. In Japan, these bridges are used to connect a shore with an island or in some cases, even to connect one island with another island. Of course, in a smaller residential Japanese landscape design, the Japanese garden bridge goes along with a strolling garden, again to go over a pond or stream.
Dry Japanese gardens consist of stone arrangements and gravel symbolizing the ocean and islands. It may also include sand that has been carefully raked. Traditionally five large stones will represent the five basic elements…sky, earth, wind, water, and fire. It is very traditional to have stone figures of Buddah or various animals representing longevity, happiness, or peace, etc.
Where to Find Japanese Garden Supplies
Once you have carfeully planned and drawn out the design of your garden you will need a shopping list of all the components you would like to include in your garden. You can look online and order items or find them locally at a garden supply shop.
Once you have added the bridge, you can look at other Japanese garden supplies to complete the overall look. Again, lanterns, statues, bamboo fences, deer chasers, waterfalls, pebbles, and stepping stones are all common, along with lots of beautiful flowers and plants. If you shop around online or even at your local home and garden center, chances are you will find a wonderful selection without spending a fortune.
Get more information on landscaping visit Outdoor Landscaping Ideas
Preventing Home Fires From Alternate Heat Sources
Wednesday, September 24th, 2008 by PyroBaby it’s cold outside, but it’s getting expensive to turn up that oil furnace. More and more home owners are turning to alternate sources of heating.
People are turning to firewood, electric heaters, and gas fireplaces for added warmth, but these heat sources present a new set of cautions for fire prevention.
Electric heaters or electric fireplace:
Make sure you read your manufacturer’s instructions and heed the warning labels for your portable heater.
Never leave it unattended, and always unplug it when not in use. When you do unplug the unit, pull the cord straight out to prevent cord damage.
Never plug the heater into a power strip or extension cord to prevent overheating.
Keep flammable objects at least three feet away from the heater and never block the air intake or outlet.
Wood Fireplace:
Have a qualified person inspect and clean your chimney on a regular basis.
Keep any combustible items away from the front of the fireplace, and cover the front with a glass or metal screen.
Store matches or lighters in a locked cabinet.
General Safety Tips:
Candles are commonly used during the holidays. Never leave them unattended or burning in an enclosed area. Always use stable candle holders that are not likely to tip over. Blow out the candles when you leave the room.
Devise an escape plan for the family and practice it twice a year. Each room should have 2 exits and pick an outdoor meeting place.
Install smoke alarms on every level of your home. Mark a date on the calendar to test them monthly and change the batteries every time you change your clocks.
Clean the lint filter in your clothes dryer every time you use it. The build up of lint can catch fire.
Learn how to put out a pan fire by sliding the lid over the flames and always keep a kitchen fire extinguisher handy.
Everyone in the family should know how to “Stop, Drop and Roll” if their clothes catch fire. To access the best air for breathing, practice getting down low and crawling as an escape strategy.
Keep emergency phone numbers handy.
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