Which fireplaces are suitable for heating now? There is no doubt that it must be a real fire fireplace. When the chimney of a real fire wood-burning fireplace works normally, the blazing flame will produce an updraft to remove harmful exhaust gases such as carbon monoxide and chlorides that may be produced by combustion. If these gases are not burned fully, they will be dispersed into the indoor air. Sometimes, airflow moving in the opposite direction will be generated, filling the house with smoke and toxic gases. Such return air is mostly caused by incomplete combustion, and the culprit for such a situation is chimney blockage or pressure difference.
How chimneys work
The rise of hot air is the key to whether the chimney can operate well. When we are hesitating about the question of which fireplaces are suitable for heating now, it is better to consider chimney accessories. The more complete the combustion, the more vigorous the fire, the faster the hot air rises, and the better the chimney works. The movement of hot gases rising from the fire creates an exchange movement with other gases in the room. This airflow draws air from the environment around the fireplace. When this air encounters the open flame, this air provides the oxygen needed for the flame to burn, and the flame heats the air, making the cycle repeat. The movement of air through the chimney is due to the fact that the air in the house is hotter than the air outside. The tendency of warm air to rise pushes it through cracks in the walls and roof (including the chimney), such as windows, doors, etc.
Stacking effect
The fact that hot air rises causes different areas of air pressure in the house. In the cooler areas (usually the lower areas of the house), the pressure is lower, while the pressure is higher in the areas where the hot air is concentrated. The air pressure in the lower areas may be lower than atmospheric pressure, and if the fireplace is located in one of these areas, the chimney may produce a phenomenon of permanent airflow sag. You should be able to feel this sensation by placing your hand on the outer wall of the chimney and feeling the movement of the air. Once such a phenomenon occurs, this reverse airflow can be eliminated by opening a window in the room where the fireplace is located to neutralize the air pressure.
Chimney Problems
The accumulation of harmful substances such as creosote in the chimney may cause the formation of updrafts, as a result, smoldering air and smoke will flow back into the room. This indicates that it is time for chimney cleaning. Don't just focus on the proposition of which fireplace is more suitable for heating now. We should pay more attention to the selection and debugging of the key accessories that can influence the fireplace. If your chimney is in a too low installation position, or the chimney itself is not high enough, you may also encounter the problem of reverse airflow. Larger flue sizes require taller chimneys to produce good updrafts. In addition, obstacles at the chimney opening (such as overhanging branches or adjacent buildings) may interfere with the formation of updrafts. The solution here is to increase the height of the chimney or re-select the installation location.