CREATE A SAFE AND WARM HEARTH: PRACTICAL TIPS FOR ENJOYING YOUR FIREPLACE SAFELY
Here are steps to help you fully enjoy your new acquisition:
- To ease any fears, it's crucial to understand how fireplaces work and the safety measures in place. Consult with your advisor to learn about all the safety options that come with your new purchase.
- Equip your home with essential fire safety equipment, including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers. Knowing how to use them can offer added peace of mind.
- Regular maintenance by a qualified technician ensures that your fireplace is in good working condition, allowing you to enjoy your time by the fire worry-free.
- Teach and reinforce safety practices, such as keeping flammable objects away from the fireplace and using a protective screen or glass door—especially important for children and pets.
STAY SAFE AROUND THE FIREPLACE:
Now, let's focus on practical tips to ensure your safety while enjoying your fireplace:
- Maintain a clear area around the fireplace, free from flammable materials such as curtains, furniture, and paper. Nothing should obstruct airflow or get too close to the flames.
- Most fireplaces come with safety screens or glass doors. Use them to prevent sparks or embers from escaping and to create a secure atmosphere.
- Always fully extinguish the fire before going to bed or leaving the house.
- Ensure that the room is well-ventilated to avoid the buildup of harmful gasses, such as carbon monoxide.
- And again, keep an eye on your children and pets around the fireplace, and teach them the importance of safety.
Source: Passion Feu, www.passionfeu.com
RENOVATION: WHAT'S THE BEST OPTION?
If you have an old wood-burning fireplace and are considering upgrading it with a built-in fireplace, you have several options. You might be wondering, "Which fuel should I use?" Fortunately, there's no one-size-fits-all answer. It all depends on your preferences and which fuel best suits your lifestyle. If you have access to a nearby wood source, along with the equipment and time needed to cut, split, transport, stack, and dry the wood, you can save a lot of money by heating with wood. There’s nothing like a cozy fire on a winter’s evening. However, it comes with its own set of inconveniences: dust, insects, and chimney maintenance... Not the type to get your hands dirty? In that case, a gas fireplace is a far better choice than wood. Gas fireplaces are so simple and convenient to use! Moreover, converting a fireplace from wood to gas is easy! If you need a bit of extra heat in a room and/or if you want to use a fireplace year-round, a wall mounted electric fireplace or a built-in electric fireplace might be your best option. There’s also the electric option, which allows you to save on installation costs and doesn't require a chimney. Thanks to its ease of installation and instant heat, a contemporary electric fireplace quickly brings charm and warmth to any room.
Source: Passion Feu, www.passionfeu.com
NEW EPA STANDARD: IS IT STILL POSSIBLE TO HEAT WITH WOOD?
Did you know that heating with a modern wood burning stove can be environmentally friendly? Yes, it can! The latest wood stoves are vastly different from the models your grandparents used. New design standards have been established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), making them remarkably eco-friendly.
LOW EMISSIONS AND LITTLE SMOKE
What about the hot topic of emissions? You’ll be amazed at the changes that have occurred over the years. With the EPA setting high standards, designers had to go above and beyond to develop innovative models that increase energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact. The result is modern wood stoves that heat more effectively and are more environmentally friendly than their predecessors. Some, including those made by partners of Boutique Chaleur, even exceed the EPA’s clean-burning standards.
Today’s wood stoves achieve such performance, producing little smoke and emissions, because they are designed to burn at higher temperatures. The combustion gasses and ash that would have been released into the atmosphere are now burned by the fire. These devices release only 4.5 grams of smoke per hour, compared to 40 grams from older stoves and fireplaces. The efficiency rating of these new wood stoves can reach up to 80%, meaning that one log produces four times more heat than in an older model.
Source: Passion Feu, www.passionfeu.com