Safety Tips for Fireplaces and the Holidays

 Tip #1: Inspections. Some people use their fireplaces year-round and others only build a fire during the holidays - but it is important to have the chimney inspected and cleaned if necessary no matter how much the fireplace is used. This is because things can happen during the year to make fire hazards such as birds or squirrels building flammable nests, masonry deterioration, unseen blockages, etc.

Tip #2: Stockings. In the photo above we see just two stockings hanging above the fireplace, but they are still too close to the fire. Stockings are a fire hazard, so please remove them before building a fire in the fireplace. Also keep all flammable items at least 36" away from the fireplace opening, whether it is wood or gas burning.

Tip #3: Don't Burn Dry Christmas Trees. If you're using a real tree this year, it will dry out by the time January 1 rolls around. Dry pine is the most flammable type of wood but a Christmas tree is the most dangerous. Check YouTube to see some crazy people put their trees into their fireplaces and see them start chimney fires and watch flames shooting out the top of the chimney. Not a good idea. Instead, cut the tree into very small pieces and use them for fire starter throughout the winter.

Tip #4: Don't Burn Wrapping Paper. Keep the pretty wrapping paper out of the fireplace because when it burns it releases toxic fumes. Any paper that has color on it will produce toxins, and that includes magazines, brochures, flyers, etc. As a rule of thumb, only burn cordwood in a fireplace. If you have gas logs, don't put anything in the fireplace.

Have a Safe and Happy Holiday Season!

How to Avoid Chimney Fires

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, an estimated 32,200 home heating fires were reported to fire departments within the United States. These fires caused an estimated 190 deaths, 625 injuries and $442 million in property loss.  Home heating fires account for 500 deaths per year.

There are over 25,000 chimney fires in the U.S. annually, and three out of 10 house fires (44,000) are related to heating appliances. For this reason alone, it is important to keep chimneys maintained, but performance problems can also arise that are not related to hostile fires.

Note: A "Friendly Fire" is one that is intended such as a fire in the fireplace or a candle burning. It becomes a "Hostile Fire" when it reaches beyond its intended location.

ALL OF THESE FIRES ARE PREVENTABLE

It is important to remember that ALL wood creates creosote, even hardwoods. The creosote must be removed by brushing with a special wire chimney brush for tile flue liners, or a poly brush for stainless steel flue liners or metal chimney pipe. The wrong type of brush can damage metal liners.

Chimneys should be swept when there is 1/8" or more of creosote on the flue walls. This is difficult to see, so another rule of thumb is to have the chimney swept annually for open fireplaces or at least twice seasonally for inserts or freestanding stoves.

How to prevent chimney fires

• Have the chimney swept regularly by a professional chimney sweep, who will also inspect the chimney to be sure it is in good working order.
• Use only dry wood (check with a moisture meter) that has been seasoned for a minimum of 6 months.
• Never burn dry Christmas trees, wrapping paper, or newspaper as these items often cause fires.
• The use of a "Chimney sweeping log" may result in a chimney fire since it detaches creosote from the flue walls and brings it closer to the fireplace, but does not remove the creosote.
• Use inserts and freestanding wood-burning stoves according to the manufacturer's instructions by leaving the door closed during burning, and regulating air intake so it does not overfire the stove. Overheating can ignite creosote in the pipe or flue without direct flame.

Most chimney fires are not detected by the homeowner

Chimney fire damage is usually detected by a chimney sweep during sweeping and inspection. Telltale signs are broken flue liners, blown out mortar joints, buckled metal liners or pipe, white hot spots, and burnt honeycomb creosote. There may also be expansion breaks in masonry. With this in mind, we estimate that there are 10 times the official reported totals!

While there are chimney fire signs to watch out for such as a loud wooshing or freight train sound and flames shooting out the top of the chimney, chimney fires are usually of short duration and not noticed while people are out of the room.

Damaged chimney flue liners can allow Carbon Monoxide, creosote, and smoke to escape into the area outside the liner and possibly into the house, making a damaged chimney a potential hazard. This is why it is so important to have regular inspections completed.

For more information visit www.chimkc.com

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Marge Padgit is a veteran chimney contractor, writer, and podcast host. Contact her at margepadgitt@gmail.com

Squirrels and Racoons are Chimney Hazards!

 

Squirrels and racoons use chimneys to build nests for their young. Mama racoons are especially aggressive if their young are approached and may bite. Unfortunately, racoons carry rabies and if bitten a person would need to have rabies treatment. Both squirrels and racoons carry diseases as well.

Squirrels have been known to build extremely large nests inside chimneys, causing a blockage and also a fire hazard. In one case, we encountered a 20'-foot tall, hard packed squirrel nest from a 30' tall chimney which took all day to remove. Besides being a fire hazard, nests block the flow of flue gasses which need to exit through the chimney.

It is best to avoid intrusion by these animals with the use of a heavy-duty stainless-steel chimney cover from a professional chimney sweep, which is much more difficult to destroy than a standard chimney cover that is available at hardware stores or box stores. The standard black steel covers also rust, causing unsightly stains on masonry that can't be removed.

However, if a racoon or squirrel family has set up home in your chimney, call a professional animal removal expert to have them removed prior to installing a cover.

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Marge Padgitt is the author of Wood-Fired Heating and Cooking and the host of The Hearth and Home Show on the HearthMasters YouTube Channel. Reach her at www.chimkc.com.

Chimney Swifts are Coming!

 

Chimney Swifts, those agile aviators of the sky, have intriguing nesting habits. The love to build flammable nests inside chimneys, along with other bird species.

• Chimney Swifts overwinter in the Amazon Basin in South America and return to nest across the eastern half of the USA each spring, and that includes the Midwest.
• These birds prefer dark and sheltered sites with vertical walls. While chimneys are their favored nesting spots, they also nest in: Natural sites: Hollow trees and tree cavities.
• Nest sites: Chimneys, wells, abandoned buildings, barns, silos, and outbuildings.
• Nesting Period: Chimney Swifts begin nesting in the spring or summer.
• The entire nesting process typically takes about two and a half months.
• These skilled architects weave their nests from small twigs, securing them to vertical surfaces using their glue-like saliva.
• Incubation lasts from 16 to 21 days, and the young fledge between 14 and 19 days after hatching.
• Overall, the nesting time frame for chimney swifts spans 30 to 40 days.
• Chimney Swifts have been nesting in chimneys for centuries, benefiting from the increased abundance of nest sites due to human development.
• Concerned birdwatchers can contribute by erecting Chimney Swift nest towers to provide additional nesting sites OUTSIDE their chimney.
• Chimney swifts are protected by the Migratory Bird Act so removal from a chimney is not an option. Only the nests can be removed after the fledglings have left the nest.

Keep birds out of chimney flues by having heavy duty stainless steel chimney covers installed.

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Marge Padgitt is the author of Wood-Fired Heating and Cooking and host of The Hearth and Home Show on the HearthMasters YouTube Channel. She can be reached at www.chimkc.com.

Choosing the Right Hearth Appliance

Since there are so many options for hearth appliances, it can sometimes be difficult to make a decision. There are many choices available now from old school open fireplaces that actually take heat from the house to high-tech hybrid masonry heaters that heat an entire house with very little wood. Both gas and wood-burning appliances are available, and making the right choice can mean the difference between thoroughly enjoying a fire or regretting the day you decided to make a purchase. 

High-efficiency wood-burning insert

First and foremost, it is critical to purchase a quality appliance from a reputable hearth dealer or chimney sweep, and that the installer is certified by the National Fireplace Institute and/or the Chimney Safety Institute of America (preferably both), or the National Chimney Sweep Guild. These Certifications show that the installer is trained in their field. Also be sure to find out if the dealer is properly licensed by the local contractor agency and pulls a permit from the city codes department if required by your city. Professional dealers carry quality products. 

Buying from a big box store or local farm store may be tempting because of the low prices. The price reflects the quality, workmanship, and the warranty of the appliance, and that is why these types of stores sell the cheaper items. The metal is not as thick, the welds may not be as strong, and some stores even continue to sell non-EPA approved appliances which are not legal. You may also find non U.L. listed products online or in stores and that is a big problem since your local codes likely don't allow them. There is a reason - these appliances are inferior and could be a fire hazard in the near future. We've actually seen cheap stoves burn out in one season. 

Another problem with box store hearth appliances (other than electric units which are OK) is that they don't provide a qualified installer to install it. Gas and wood-burning stoves and fireplace inserts should only be installed by a qualified professional, and the manual likely states that or the warranty is voided. There is a reason for this, too - there are too many mistakes that could be made that can cause a fire or Carbon Monoxide hazard.

Below is a chart I made to help people choose the appliance that is right for them: 

If you can't read the small print, go to our website at www.chimkc.com and you'll find this same page under appliances. 

Things never to buy: 

• Non-U.L. Listed appliances
• Barrel-stove kits (unsafe and not U. L. listed)
• Non-EPA approved appliances
• Older appliances that were made prior to 1989 (f you have one, get rid of it unless it is a rare early EPA approved and U.L. listed product)

And do not sell your old appliance - have it hauled to the dump. It is illegal to install a non-approved appliance in most jurisdictions. 

Remember that your local jurisdiction may REQUIRE a professional to do the installation, including the chimney or flue liner and connecting pipe, components, chimney cover, wall and floor protection, etc. and won't let homeowners DIY. 

THIS IS NOT A DO IT YOURSELF PROJECT!

House fire 

Let me repeat that - this is not a DIY project. I don't care how handy you are, if you are an engineer, contractor, or genius -if you are not a hearth or chimney professional you will miss something important!

After all, we are talking about FIRE in your house! 

I don't suggest using non-venting gas logs (see my article To Vent or Not to Vent on this blog for more info), or pellet stoves. Pellet stoves require weekly maintenance by the homeowner, which they never do, and then the stove stops working. There are also times when in the middle of winter it is impossible to find pellets. So for this reason I say stay away from pellet heating appliances. Pellet grills and smokers, on the other hand, are very easy and fun to use and you can always get pellets in the spring.  

Keep in mind that the newer the appliance the cleaner burning it is. The Environmental Protection Agency has come down hard on wood-burning appliance manufacturers and they've really stepped up and are now making super clean burning products. Some wood-burning stoves and inserts are hybrids, which means that a catalytic combustor is installed along with a secondary burn chamber. 

Custom masonry heater
by Gene Padgitt

So what is my favorite heating appliance?  Masonry heaters, of course. Masonry heaters use 1/3 the wood of a new clean- burning wood stove to produce the same amount of heat. They also retain the heat for long periods of time then emit this in the form of radiant heat throughout the day or evening, and only require loading twice per day. And no fan is required. 

If you prefer gas, go with a high-efficiency direct vent gas insert that will provide ambiance and heating and is easy to use with a remote control! 

If you are considering a fireplace insert because your chimney is damaged by a chimney fire or rainwater, remember to ask your chimney sweep to remove the creosote in the flue and chamber first. Creosote can cause bad odors, but more importantly can catch on fire when exposed to heat from the flue liner that comes with the stove. 

I know, this is a lot to consider, but hopefully it makes your decision a bit easier. 

For more detailed information, get our book
Wood-Fired Heating and Cooking at Amazon.com

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Marge Padgitt is a veteran chimney specialist in Kansas City, Missouri. She is a former CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep and NFI Certified Wood-burning Specialist. Contact her at hearthmasters.office@gmail.com.  

How to Avoid a Chimney Fire

 

By Marge Padgitt

Chimney fires occur during cold weather months when people use their fireplace or wood-burning stove.  A chimney fire occurs when accumulated creosote in a flue or smoke chamber ignites from a spark.

All wood creates creosote - even dry hardwoods- so it is imperative that flues serving fireplaces or wood-burning stoves, or fireplace inserts are swept regularly to remove this flammable substance. The NFPA recommends sweeping once per year for fireplaces, and at least twice during the season for heating appliances (wood stoves or inserts). A house fire can occur if the fire in the chimney escapes the flue liner or if burning embers fly out of the top of the chimney onto the roof. (Asphalt roofs can catch fire as well as wood shingle roofs). 

Most chimney fires are of short duration and go unnoticed by the homeowner - with damage usually found later during an inspection by a chimney sweep. 

 Signs of a chimney fire:

•  Loud whooshing or roaring or freight train like sound
•  Flames shooting out the top of the chimney
•  Red glowing stove pipe
•  Backup of smoke into the house
• Sudden poor draft

It is a good idea to keep a chimney fire extinguisher near your fireplace or wood stove and use it if you notice a chimney fire, then get out of the house and call the fire department immediately. Fire can spread to nearby combustibles and cause a house fire. Be sure to keep an eye out for smoke smell or flames even after the fire department is gone because interior wood framing could smolder for hours afterwards and ignite again if it gets enough oxygen. 

After the fire: Call your local professional chimney sweep to have a thorough inspection and any needed repairs completed before using the appliance again. Most chimneys are severely damaged on the interior during a chimney fire and should not be used until inspected by a qualified professional. Any breaks or blown out sections in flue tiles or warped or buckled seams in steel liners or chimneys can be a fire and Carbon Monoxide hazard.

For more information about Carbon Monoxide, visit COHeadquarters.com.

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The Chimney Lady, Marge Padgitt, is a veteran chimney professional, trainer, and author. She is the co-owner of HearthMasters chimney and fireplace service in Kansas City, Missouri. Contact her at office@chimkc.com.

Biomass Tax Credit for Wood and Pellet Stoves

By Marge Padgitt

Homeowners planning to install an alternative heating appliance should review the Biomass Tax Credit that provides an incentive for homeowners to install highly efficient wood and pellet stoves and fireplace inserts. This tax credit, which runs from January 1st, 2023, to December 31st, 2032, allows eligible taxpayers to receive a credit of 30% of the purchase and installation costs, up to $2,000 annually.

The Biomass Tax Credit, enacted as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, was implemented to promote the adoption of more sustainable and efficient heating options in residential properties. This tax credit is applicable to wood and pellet stoves that meet specific criteria. To qualify for the credit, the stoves must have a thermal efficiency of at least 75% per the higher heating value (HHV) of the fuel and be listed as an approved appliance. The tax credit is available for purchases and installations completed between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2032.

In recent years, wood-burning appliance manufacturers have improved efficiency over their older models. Biomass fuel, which includes wood and wood-derived pellets, offers several advantages over traditional heating methods. One of the key benefits is its lower carbon footprint compared to fossil fuels. Biomass fuel is considered renewable as it is derived from organic materials, such as wood waste and agricultural crops. When burned in high-efficiency stoves, biomass fuel emits minimal greenhouse gases, contributing to reduced environmental impact. Additionally, biomass fuel is often sourced locally, supporting local economies and reducing dependence on foreign energy sources.

It is important to choose a stove that meets the thermal efficiency requirements to be eligible for the tax credit. Not all stoves meet these standards. There are stoves available at large box stores that do not meet the requirements, so choose a reputable hearth retailer or chimney service company to get a quality appliance. To identify qualifying products, individuals can refer to the Environmental Protection Agency's certified wood heater database, which lists stoves with efficiencies of at least 75%. Ask your hearth retailer or chimney sweep about the stoves they carry that qualify for the tax credit.

To claim the Biomass Tax Credit, homeowners must keep receipts for the purchase and installation, and the manufacturer's tax credit certificate. The manufacturer's certificate can typically be found on the manufacturer's website and should include information such as the manufacturer's name and address, the stove's make and model, proof of eligibility, and the manufacturer's signature. When filing taxes, individuals should complete Form 5695, available from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and include the necessary information, or give the information to your accountant. The credit offsets tax you owe, and it is not a refund.

Several manufacturers sell wood and pellet stoves that qualify for the Biomass Tax Credit. These include Regency, Quadra-Fire, Harman, Hearthstone, and Vermont Castings.

Like any heating system, biomass stoves require regular maintenance to ensure optimal performance and safety. Contact a professional chimney sweep for this service. Stoves should be swept annually for standard use, or bi-annually if used for continual heating purposes in order to remove flammable creosote. Only burn cordwood in the appliance and never burn treated wood, hedge, paper, or railroad ties. It is critical to follow the manufacturer's guidelines for cleaning, inspection, and maintenance.

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Marge Padgitt is the president of HearthMasters, Inc. in Independence, Missouri. She is the author of Wood-Fired Heating and Cooking and The Chimney and Hearth Pro's Resource Book. www.chimkc.com