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We just bought a house and the fireplace is neither gas or electric. Do I just put wood in the fireplace and open the damper. This is the first house I ever owned with a fireplace. We live in Southern California and it only gets cold in the winter. But I just want to prepare myself. Don't want to burn the house down or smoke the house if you get my drift. Any suggestions how to start my fireplace that is neither gas or electric?
Answer
First, your fire place should be inspected prior to lighting any fires. The flue should be cleaned of all creosote and to be sure no critters have nested in the flue if there was no chimney cap atop the chimney. Inspection is very important to protect the house from catching fire. After you are certain the chimney is safe, do a draft test. Open the damper. Roll up a newspaper, not too tightly. Light the paper on fire and hold in the firebox like a torch. This should cause an upward draft and show you that the chimney properly vents up the flue. Now you are ready for a real log fire.
After the inspection and draft test is complete, you are ready to begin. First, make sure there is a metal grate in the firebox. This is a raised metal grate which keeps the logs off of the floor of the firebox. On the metal grate, place a generous layer of crumpled up newspaper. On top of that, cris cross about small 8 to 10 branches (kindling). Then, add a layer of small logs. Light the fire by catching the paper on fire. The kindling will begin to burn. Without disturbing the fire too much, gently place larger logs on the burning kindling by allowing some air space between the logs for the flames to come up and lick the logs to catch them on fire. Then add more logs going in the other direction. Or, you can cheat and get a fire log at the grocery store for about $4.00. All you do is place the fake log, still in the wrapper on the grate inside the fire box and light the corners of the outer wrapper and you have an instant fire for three hours. Do not touch the log because it will fall apart and not burn as long as it should.
I sometimes save an empty paper milk carton to use as a fire starter because those cartons have a layer of wax on them and they burn really hot and make a great addition to starting a speedy fire.
Always have a fire place poker so you can move the burning logs as you add more logs to the fire.
You always have to think of safety first. Never begin a fire unless you have a fire extinguisher in the house. Move stored logs away from the fire. Do not have a rug up against the hearth. Use common sense. Have a fireplace screen so it catches hot embers from poping logs.
If you can find pine cones that have been dipped in copper sulfate, they make a fire turn really pretty shades of blue and orange.
I am not a pyro, but I have been using wood stoves and a fireplaces for more years than I care to admit here.
First, your fire place should be inspected prior to lighting any fires. The flue should be cleaned of all creosote and to be sure no critters have nested in the flue if there was no chimney cap atop the chimney. Inspection is very important to protect the house from catching fire. After you are certain the chimney is safe, do a draft test. Open the damper. Roll up a newspaper, not too tightly. Light the paper on fire and hold in the firebox like a torch. This should cause an upward draft and show you that the chimney properly vents up the flue. Now you are ready for a real log fire.
After the inspection and draft test is complete, you are ready to begin. First, make sure there is a metal grate in the firebox. This is a raised metal grate which keeps the logs off of the floor of the firebox. On the metal grate, place a generous layer of crumpled up newspaper. On top of that, cris cross about small 8 to 10 branches (kindling). Then, add a layer of small logs. Light the fire by catching the paper on fire. The kindling will begin to burn. Without disturbing the fire too much, gently place larger logs on the burning kindling by allowing some air space between the logs for the flames to come up and lick the logs to catch them on fire. Then add more logs going in the other direction. Or, you can cheat and get a fire log at the grocery store for about $4.00. All you do is place the fake log, still in the wrapper on the grate inside the fire box and light the corners of the outer wrapper and you have an instant fire for three hours. Do not touch the log because it will fall apart and not burn as long as it should.
I sometimes save an empty paper milk carton to use as a fire starter because those cartons have a layer of wax on them and they burn really hot and make a great addition to starting a speedy fire.
Always have a fire place poker so you can move the burning logs as you add more logs to the fire.
You always have to think of safety first. Never begin a fire unless you have a fire extinguisher in the house. Move stored logs away from the fire. Do not have a rug up against the hearth. Use common sense. Have a fireplace screen so it catches hot embers from poping logs.
If you can find pine cones that have been dipped in copper sulfate, they make a fire turn really pretty shades of blue and orange.
I am not a pyro, but I have been using wood stoves and a fireplaces for more years than I care to admit here.
Does anyone have tips to help lower electricty bills?
pjgdreams
The warm weather is right around the corner (it's actually already in the 80's here in GA) and I do not want to turn the air conditioning on yet because we still have winter gas bills for another month. What are some things that can be done around the house to help cut down on electricity usage? Any tips and advice to help cut down the bills would be great!
Answer
Unplugg electric items that are generally plugged in whether used or not. For example, if you have a lamp plugged in that you rarely use, unplug it as it is drawing electricity. Also, keep your freezer stocked, it helps keep foods frozen without drawing a lot of electricity. Change your bulbs. Compact fluorescent bulbs have been substantially improved over the years and they now can be screwed directly into most fixtures. The bulbs, which sell for about $3 apiece, last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs and can save $30 or more in energy costs over a bulb's lifetime.
Lower your thermostat to 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Industry experts say 68 degrees is the lowest indoor temperature that most people find comfortable. For each degree you lower your thermostat, you can save 3% on your heating bill.
Turn down the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, which is considered adequate or comfortable for most household needs. Lowering your water heater to 120 degrees from 150 degrees can lower your utility bill by $1.80 a month. Another water-temperature tip: Wash your clothes in the coolest water possible. About 80% of the energy used to run your washer comes from heating the water.
Keep fireplace dampers closed to lessen heating and cooling loss. An open or poorly sealed damper can draw air up the chimney even when the fireplace isn't in use.
Have your furnace maintained regularly by a professional, and keep your furnace filter and vents clean. Dirty furnace filters and vents cause the furnace to burn less efficiently.
Keep the curtains open in rooms with southern exposure during the winter and closed during the summer. In the Northern Hemisphere, south-facing windows receive the most intense light in both the summer and winter. Letting in that light in the winter will help keep your house warm; blocking it in the summer will help cool things off.
Don't run kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans for long periods. Exhaust fans will remove heated or air-conditioned air from your home if they run for more than 15 minutes after you're done cooking or running the water. You might also consider replacing your current fan to save on costs: Energy Star ventilation fans use 65% less energy on average than standard models.
Unplugg electric items that are generally plugged in whether used or not. For example, if you have a lamp plugged in that you rarely use, unplug it as it is drawing electricity. Also, keep your freezer stocked, it helps keep foods frozen without drawing a lot of electricity. Change your bulbs. Compact fluorescent bulbs have been substantially improved over the years and they now can be screwed directly into most fixtures. The bulbs, which sell for about $3 apiece, last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs and can save $30 or more in energy costs over a bulb's lifetime.
Lower your thermostat to 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Industry experts say 68 degrees is the lowest indoor temperature that most people find comfortable. For each degree you lower your thermostat, you can save 3% on your heating bill.
Turn down the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, which is considered adequate or comfortable for most household needs. Lowering your water heater to 120 degrees from 150 degrees can lower your utility bill by $1.80 a month. Another water-temperature tip: Wash your clothes in the coolest water possible. About 80% of the energy used to run your washer comes from heating the water.
Keep fireplace dampers closed to lessen heating and cooling loss. An open or poorly sealed damper can draw air up the chimney even when the fireplace isn't in use.
Have your furnace maintained regularly by a professional, and keep your furnace filter and vents clean. Dirty furnace filters and vents cause the furnace to burn less efficiently.
Keep the curtains open in rooms with southern exposure during the winter and closed during the summer. In the Northern Hemisphere, south-facing windows receive the most intense light in both the summer and winter. Letting in that light in the winter will help keep your house warm; blocking it in the summer will help cool things off.
Don't run kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans for long periods. Exhaust fans will remove heated or air-conditioned air from your home if they run for more than 15 minutes after you're done cooking or running the water. You might also consider replacing your current fan to save on costs: Energy Star ventilation fans use 65% less energy on average than standard models.
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Title Post: Any suggestions how to start my fireplace that is neither gas or electric?
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Rating: 100% based on 99998 ratings. 5 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thank FOr Coming TO My Blog
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