How often is the fireplace chimney cleaned?

February 10, 2024February 10, 2024

How often is the fireplace chimney cleaned?

One of the most important parts of maintaining a fireplace is cleaning its chimney. And it is generally known that this cleaning should be done annually. Cleaning the fireplace chimney is important because it not only keeps the fireplace in good condition and satisfactory operation, but even more importantly, it ensures safety and prevents the risk of fire.

By lighting the fireplace on a regular basis, smoke and tar (creosote) build up in the chimney which must be removed. Smoke because on the one hand it smells even during the summer and smoke particles circulate in the areas of the house with the corresponding consequences of contaminating the air and soiling the areas and on the other hand because the fireplace should be ready to work for the next winter without problems. And the tar because when it settles and accumulates on the walls it carries the risk of ignition of the chimney and fire. But how often should the chimney actually be cleaned?

The frequency of cleaning the chimney depends, among other things, on the frequency with which the fireplace is lit or better on the amount of wood it consumes on an annual basis. In general, if the consumption of firewood on an annual basis exceeds one ton, approximately two cubic meters, then the cleaning of the chimney should definitely be done on an annual basis. But if the consumption is less, then the cleaning should definitely not be less frequent than every two years.

And of course, the ways to do this cleaning are either to entrust it to a special workshop, or to do it yourself in the old traditional way, that is, using a special bushy plant that scrapes the walls of the chimney. Especially if someone wants to do it alone, they should be very careful and take safety measures to avoid an accident. In any case, commissioning a specialist workshop is the most appropriate solution.

Generally in Greece, the necessity of cleaning the chimney of the fireplace on a regular basis is not so well known and conscious, so it is generally neglected. While in other European and American countries, the annual cleaning of the fireplace chimney is mandatory. This, of course, apart from a matter of safety and good operation, also contributes to the correct performance of the fireplace and also to the economy in the consumption of logs.

February 10, 2024February 10, 2024

Which are considered more economical fireplaces?

Which are considered more economical fireplaces?
First of all, when we say more economical fireplace, we may have two things in mind. Its purchase price and its operating costs. Of course, a fireplace could not be considered economical when someone spent a little money to buy it, but when he lights it, he burns “his guts” in wood or whatever other fuel he uses, or also when you sit a little further from the hearth, you have to you are wrapped in a blanket. Or it cannot be considered economical when its purchase price is too high and it is simply good in performance. So, when we say economical fireplace, we mean economical in the balance between purchase and operation.

In general, the fireplaces that are considered more economical are the energy-efficient air-heated fireplaces. It is enough to think that while the efficiency of the traditional fireplace with firebricks never exceeds 12-15%, when in the energy closed type, the efficiency may sometimes exceed 80%, a very impressive difference. And when we say performance here, we mean the thermal performance of the fireplace in relation to the thermal capacity of the firewood.

They are of the closed type, so the amount of air they consume is small, compared to the open type, and this is important if we consider that all this air is already warm, since it comes from the space that we have already heated.
Consumption of air therefore implies consumption of firewood. Energy fireplaces consume approximately 60% less logs than conventional fireplaces.
In energy fireplaces there is the possibility of adjusting the intensity of the fire. So we don’t have to run it at full volume when for some reason we don’t need it. So we save even more wood.
In conventional firebrick fireplaces, much of the hard-earned heat is lost through the walls behind the fireplace. In energy fireplaces, the walls are insulated with ceramic wool, preventing the leakage of precious heat, letting it escape only from the front, into the room.
The forced air circulation through the air heater drives the hot air not only around the fireplace, but throughout the space, creating better heating results everywhere.
After the above, one can conclude that in closed-type energy aerothermic fireplaces, even if they are a little more expensive than traditional ones, the price-performance ratio is optimal and understand why they are also considered the most economical fireplaces.

February 10, 2024February 10, 2024

Ideas for decorating the fireplace

The fireplace is undoubtedly the jewel of our living room or kitchen! On the coldest days of winter, its flames warm our space literally but also figuratively, since the beauty of the flame adds color and vitality to the winter atmosphere of the house.

But what happens when the fireplace is turned off? Again it can win points in the design of the house and become the center of attention! Read some tips to famously decorate your extinguished fireplace!

Add knick-knacks, paintings or statues Place a striking statue or colorful painting on the fireplace hearth. Try to keep the colors of the element you are going to add light so that they contrast with the dark interior of the fireplace, otherwise nothing will be seen. In the same pattern, you can place pots, stones or other home decorations.

Turn on the light! The natural property of the fireplace is to emit light and heat. So what better than to add sparkle to a dull fireplace? Place small lamps or larger lamps on the hearth. Also, a series of wick candles will create an amazing effect.

“Plant” the fireplace Plants are wonderful in every corner of the house, even inside the fireplace! Place a vase of flowers or a pot of indoor plants on the hearth. If you don’t have enough light in the fireplace, get a fake plant for the fireplace, which will not need a sunny environment.

Play with reflections The chimney above the fireplace is often an unattractive surface that we look for a way to highlight. An interesting idea is the placement of a simple sheet of mirror, which is always a smart trick for extra light and expanding the space. Especially if your living room is small, a mirror will “play” intelligently with the depth, adding imaginary squares to the space.

Decorate the sill Fireplaces usually have a wooden or marble sill around the perimeter, above the hearth. This spot can make a famous “theme” shelf! The basic concept is that all seasonal decorations, such as Christmas ornaments, Halloween masks or Easter eggs, will be placed there!

Easily and aptly turn the fireplace into the center of attention of the living room! How will you decorate your fireplace?

February 10, 2024February 10, 2024

Colors for fireplaces

When we hear about color in the hearth of the fireplace, the familiar image with that yellowish or tile-red color of the firebricks immediately comes to mind. And this is the good version. Because there is also the less good and more common version with the permanent smudge inside the hearth of the fireplace. In winter this view is not so disturbing because the fireplace is in operation and this is considered normal. But in the summer when the fireplace is not lit, this view is not so beautiful.

Housewives also resort to hiding the hearth with the protective grill doors, while candles and artificial flowers or trinkets are placed in front to hide the ugly. There are also many who prefer not to light the fireplace at all to avoid this ugly and unsightly appearance. But this is unfair and all this nice stuff in the house is completely untapped.

Of course, this problem does not exist in modern energy fireplaces. There everything is hidden behind closed doors. On the other hand, the entire stove is black and the smudge is not visible. Some are also more meticulous, wash the hob with some cleaner and remove the smudge. But no one can talk about color inside the hearth of the fireplace. It’s something that doesn’t exist anywhere. Only in imagination.

In recent years, however, the realization of this fantasy has appeared on the market. Colored fireplace in the hearth. It is about the ceramic classic or energy fireplace, a Greek patent that promises, among other things, color on the hearth of the fireplace in any color one wishes. Red, blue, turquoise, green, white, orange or whatever.

It is a clay, ceramic fireplace with special fire-resistant and fireproof properties, with excellent performance that surpasses any known type of fireplace, with high temperatures that develop inside the hearth, with excellent economy in burning wood and with the ability to function as an open-type classic or closed energy type, since it has a special aerothermic ceramic hearth, fan, ventilation ducts and doors with ceramic glass. But most importantly, it comes in any color.

It is like seeing a porcelain surface, colored. Inside the hearth and on its floor are placed colored ceramic plates with a glass coating that are placed next to each other creating a stunning effect. Imagine walking into an island home and instead of seeing a whitewashed fireplace with a black smudged hearth, you see a spotless turquoise or navy hearth. What a beautiful impression it will create on you!

This is what we are talking about. And something more. When summer comes, this hob can be completely cleaned and polished with a simple mop or sponge and a little water. A fireplace with a beautiful, colored, shiny, spotless hearth, with impressive unique colors, beyond what we are used to seeing. And this wonderful thing is here, in the Greek market, and it is the first clay-ceramic fireplace in the world. And this is entirely Greek.

February 10, 2024February 10, 2024

Fireplaces – Grills

Social life in Greece is connected to large groups, or smaller ones, eating and baking. In most houses there are grills, either very small, or larger, or built-in garden grills (barbeques), such as those for roasting the lamb at Easter.

But there are many who would like to have their own grill using their fireplace. Because it is a fact that the fireplace is not only suitable for roasting chestnuts and potatoes on the embers. And on winter days there is a ready fire in the house where not only chestnuts but sausages, meat and generally all kinds of cutlets can be roasted there.

Grilling in the fireplace has been very fashionable in recent years. And there are many who have left the grills and barbeques for summer use only, while in the winter they only use the fireplace. There is also special equipment for grilling in the fireplace with grates and special bases to fix them.

It is common to use ready-made charcoal even for grilling in the fireplace, for reasons of speed and convenience. But the most conscious people use to bake by burning wood and even baking with olive wood and other quality woods. These woods are ideal for grilling because they leave a beautiful smell on the meat and make it even more attractive and desirable.

Because it is very important that the wood used for grilling in the fireplace is suitable. An unsuitable wood will smoke and leave a bad smell in the food. And of course, under no circumstances should wood from furniture or melamine be used for burning because these have fumes from chemicals and harmful gases. They are not only unsuitable for baking but generally for lighting the fireplace for this reason. They are harmful to health and the environment.

It is a fact that the smells that give off ribs and steaks as they cook are very pleasant. No one, no matter how full, can resist the smell of meat being grilled.

But grilling in the fireplace inside the house has the following problems. It creates smoke in the house, leaves drops of grease in the fireplace that accumulate and have the risk of ignition and fire in the chimney and finally leaves a permanent smell of grease in the house that is unpleasant and difficult to remove.

For this reason, cooking inside the house, in the fireplace, should be done in moderation to avoid these problems. Whatever you do, outdoor grilling is preferable. There are fireplaces that are outdoors, i.e. they are built in gardens and yards or also the well-known fire pits, pits built outdoors for lighting a fire, and there one can cook without a problem. Of course, the ideal solution is the garden grills, the well-known barbeques, which exist in many houses with yards in urban areas but mainly in the countryside.

February 10, 2024February 10, 2024

Fireplace safety secrets

Are you ready to welcome a particularly cold Winter? You’ll be sure to be set if you follow these simple guidelines to help you have a fireplace that’s bright, efficient, and safe.

Burn only well-dried logs that have been cut, stacked and dried for eight to twelve months. There are special firewood moisture meters on the market, which you can get at low cost, to check the moisture content of the wood. Cover the pile of wood with some tarp on top only, leaving the sides open for air. Hard, dense woods such as walnut, beech, oak and olive burn longer, but are more difficult to ignite and therefore more important than others to be well dried. Lighter woods such as spruce or pine catch faster, but burn more easily, so you’ll need to add more wood to the fire more often.

Burn firewood and only firewood! Crates, pallets, chipboard, plywood, kitchen furniture panels, painted wood or other treated wood, when burned, release chemicals that impoverish or even damage the air quality in the home environment.

Try to clean the walls of the fireplace after each grilling. Solid fats from food create bad odors but also pose a risk of fire in the chimney.

Close the chimney vent when the fireplace is not lit, to prevent the warm air of the house, as well as the money you spent on heating it, from escaping from the opening.

Keep the folding glass guard open when the fireplace is lit to allow the heat to dissipate into the space. For energy fireplaces (closed type with air recirculation system), the guards must remain closed to prevent unnecessary heat loss.

Place a protective cap on the chimney to prevent rain, snow or other objects from falling into it and reducing its efficiency. The caps are provided with side openings to allow the smoke to escape.

Replace vent seal when worn to reduce unnecessary heat loss. A chimney flue with a vent that doubles as a cap provides a better seal than a traditional vent.

Install carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors near the fireplace and in the bedrooms.

The chimney must be cleaned once a year. If you consume more than 25 cubic meters of wood per year, the chimney must be cleaned twice a year.

Light the fire in the fireplace safely by adding wood gradually as the temperature rises. Open the vent fully at first to get good smoke extraction from the early stages. Light a strong fire, at least occasionally, with the vent fully open, to prevent delayed removal of smoke from the combustion chamber and the simultaneous accumulation of tar oil on the walls of the fireplace.

February 10, 2024February 10, 2024

For a succesfull fireplace installation

the outcome and success of the fireplace installation mean different things to everyone but also depend on various factors. Of course, the successful installation of a fireplace is ultimately evident when we light the fire, but not exclusively at that moment. However, what factors determine this successful fireplace installation?

Firstly, a key factor for the successful installation of a fireplace is the experience of the installer. It may seem simple for someone to install a fireplace, especially for open-type stone fireplaces, any builder can do the installation. However, things are not that simple. There are details that need to be paid attention to, and only an experienced craftsman can be aware of them. Therefore, it is important and necessary for the success of fireplace installation to choose specialized personnel.

Another factor that determines the success of fireplace installation is the level of difficulty in its placement. This depends, above all else, on the type and size of the fireplace. A large fireplace is more difficult and time-consuming to install than a small one. Also, a forced-air energy-efficient fireplace has more details to be taken care of than a traditional open-type one. The installation requirements for an energy-efficient fireplace are even greater, and specialization is more imperative.

But what does successful installation mean, and what can go wrong to be considered a problem with the fireplace we installed?

First of all, success in fireplace installation means that when we light it, it operates normally and heats the house without causing any problems. It also means that it is beautifully constructed and installed, without any ugliness and flaws that offend the eye and leave us dissatisfied. It also means that when we look at it, we are pleased to see it and it fits the space where we have placed it, which mainly depends on the correct selection in the market.

Successful fireplace installation also means that the cost of installation is not disproportionate to the result and the fireplace in front of us. An overly expensive installation will never be considered successful no matter how technically or aesthetically perfect it is. Therefore, we seek cheap prices and quality work in the installation of a fireplace.

A fireplace without success in its selection and installation will not heat the space at all. And there is something even more difficult than that. Not being able to light the wood at all and raise the temperature. For example, a huge fireplace with disproportionate dimensions will not allow the wood we light to increase the temperature of its fireplace, resulting in needing a lot of wood to light it and it lights with difficulty.

A significant problem, perhaps the most important in the operation of a fireplace, is smoking. Poor construction of the hearth and chimney, incorrect dimensions, and ignorance of the details of construction and installation that need to be paid attention to can lead to smoking problems. And it is common for the fireplace to be lit and soon the space to fill with smoke. However, when this is a rule in lighting the fireplace, we must either intervene to fix the problem if it can be done, or we must completely abandon the fireplace, something that is clearly called a complete failure.

February 9, 2024February 10, 2024

The correct way to light the fireplace

The warmth of the fireplace is one of the most attractive features in the house, bringing the family together on cold winter nights. However, the charm fades when you have to wait for hours in front of a fireplace that refuses to light up. In such cases, don’t quarrel with the fireplace or the fire, and above all, don’t be disappointed. Throughout generations, humanity has always managed to overcome such challenges. Why not you? Just something hasn’t been done right. Follow the instructions below, and soon you will surely be enjoying the warmth of the family hearth.

You will need small dry pieces of wood (kindling) and paper. There are certainly such pieces of wood in your storage, or if you can’t find any there, you’ll surely find ready-made kindling at wood sales points. Use mainly paper from newspapers, and definitely avoid glossy paper from advertising flyers or colorful magazines because it contains many chemicals harmful to the environment.
Crush some pieces of paper and place them in the center of the fireplace, preferably directly on the firebricks. By using a grate, the firebricks take longer to heat up, thus slowing down the ignition of the flame.
Now place pieces of kindling on top of the paper, radiating outwards (teepee style). This allows for good airflow, which is crucial for successful ignition.
Light the crumpled paper in two or three spots.
Fully open the damper of the chimney, allowing the necessary amount of air to circulate in the combustion chamber. Once the kindling “catches,” add a few more small pieces of wood to stabilize the fire, but NO more paper.
Once the kindling is burning well, start adding small and dry logs gradually. If you add large logs too early, you will only dampen the flame.
When the logs are burning well and the smoke diminishes, it’s a sign that the proper smoke evacuation in the chimney has begun. It’s time to start adding larger, still dry, logs to the fire and relax, enjoying the warmth.

NOTE: You can increase the burning time of the firewood by closing the damper slightly.

January 28, 2024February 10, 2024

The History of Energy Fireplaces

The main reason they were motivated, the first companies to make energy fireplaces, was to ensure that the unpleasant consequences of not having a door were avoided, such as ashes and sparks on the floor and carpets, which increased the possibility of fire.

They also wanted to make a fireplace that end consumers would enjoy, without constantly having to worry about the fire but only enjoying its warmth.

A second important factor that pushed them to make an energy fireplace with a door was to reduce the uncontrolled consumption of wood that happens in open fireplaces. The latter, in fact, draw the warm air from the room and lead it ingloriously towards the chimney. Thus, there is a waste and escape of energy, something that was and is very meaningless. For this reason, they aimed to build a closed-type fireplace, with control of the oxygen inflow into the combustion area, something that, by extension, would also result in lower consumption of wood.

As the years passed, they began to test new methods of managing the combustion which, if it had the effect of reducing the consumption of fuel, would be absolutely certain, as it turned out later, that it would raise the degree of a