Just what you always wanted.
A fireplace. One that burns real wood, not those fancy gas contraptions.
But, before you get to excited think about this...
Remember, Wood fireplace uses air from inside the home.
That air needs to be replaced, so the home needs to draw air from outside...COLD air.
So, when the outside temp gets below ZERO, You are drawing in more cold than you are heating.
To combat that, check and see if the fireplace has a cold air vent to use. It lowers the amount of cold air from infiltrating the rest of the home.
Where will you get the wood to burn. If you have wooded area, can you cut your own.
Where will you store it to keep it dry?
Then how will you get it to the house.
Don't forget the ash removal. You need a fire proof container unless you have an area outside you can safely dispose of them.
Just a few things to think about. The movies make it look so Romantic.
I am not trying to talk you out of a wood fired fireplace, just don't go into it blind!!!!
A sample of wood I burn every year.
Fireplace? Is that the hole in the wall we here in Florida shove a bunch of candles in?
Good afternoon William. This is thorough and very true. Most folks don't think about this.
I have a real wood burning fireplace. Fortunately, we don't have the ultra cold weather some parts of the country experience. When the fireplace isn't in use, I am certain to close the damper.
William,
We were out for breakfast at the Cold Spring Tavern. It is a converted Stagecoach stop from the 1800, and they had a real fire burning this morning, it was 42 degrees.
You make a lot of great points, William. We converted our last "real" fireplace over to propane. I like having the alternative source of heat but not the disadvantages of the wood issues.
William the last time we were at a place where they had a real fire-place burning wood was at the Highland's Inn in Carmel CA... we do not burn wood or even turn on the gas version at home....BTW great points, Endre
Keeps us warm when needed and we can even cook on it.
I recently had a buyer that wanted a real fireplace. When they found out how much it would cost to build, they quickly changed their minds.
Morning William.
Thanks but no thanks, I'll stick to either gas or electric. I remember when we had one a very long time ago. It was nice, but not for me
Great points Bill. If the power goes out at least you can keep from freezing up
And don't forget to clean the chimney or flue to your wood burning fireplace or stove. Burning a hot fire helps to minimize the build up of cresote which is the main cause of chimney fires. My husband is a retired chimneysmith. The stories he can tell, oh my.