How a Chimney and Fireplace Can Affect Indoor Air Quality

As we move into the busy fireplace season, indoor air quality is on a lot of people’s minds. And rightfully so. Chimneys and fireplaces play a big part in the quality of the air inside your home, often without you even knowing it.

The Chimney Guys of Pataskala, OH, would like to share a few tips on using your fireplace and chimney in ways to keep your indoor air cleaner and safer.

The two main fireplace pollutants

The biggest air-quality concerns with a fireplace are:

• Smoke
• Carbon monoxide

Smoke you generally can see; carbon monoxide you can’t see or smell. Both of these substances can harm the quality of your indoor air. Let’s look at each one and check out some ways to reduce or prevent its presence in your living spaces.

Causes of fireplace and chimney smoke pollution

A fireplace can send billows of smoke into a room when damp, unseasoned firewood is being burned. Wet wood produces large amounts of smoke, some of which may not be able to get up into the chimney because of the sheer volume of it.

Another cause of smoke moving into the home is an obstructed chimney flue. Built-up creosote and outside debris are common obstructions.

Creosote

Creosote forms when smoke condenses in the flue. You can’t prevent creosote entirely, but you can reduce the amount of it by:

• Having your chimney professionally swept once a year
• Burning only low-smoke dry wood
• Not burning anything except actual firewood – no furniture, plastics, metals or clothing
• Keeping your chimney cap’s mesh clean to help efficient drafting

Debris

Chimney debris includes leaves, twigs, falling fruit, the nests of small animals and the animals themselves when they die inside chimneys. All this narrows the flue passage and can cause smoke to back up into the house.

Solve debris problems by installing a secure chimney cap to cover the top of the chimney.

Finally, a damaged fireplace damper that won’t open completely when getting a fire started can also be responsible for smoke invading the home.

What you should know about carbon monoxide

Smoke is no good in your house, but carbon monoxide is worse. It’s an invisible and odorless combustion gas that’s known to be potentially deadly to people and pets. Carbon monoxide can be present in smoke and by itself.

As with creosote, you can’t completely prevent carbon monoxide from forming, but you can reduce its volume and you can force it up the chimney and keep it out of your home.

Generally, excess carbon monoxide forms during inefficient burns. This can include:

• Wood that’s damp and doesn’t burn completely
• Fires that don’t get enough oxygen
• Faulty gas connections and functions

Is there carbon monoxide in your home? The only way to really know is by installing a carbon monoxide monitor to alert you to its presence.

The services your chimney and fireplace need

The Chimney Guys serves the greater Columbus, OH, region with:

• Licensed chimney and fireplace inspection
• Chimney sweeping to remove creosote and debris
• Fireplace cleaning
• Gas and wood fireplace repair
• All types of chimney repair
• Chimney cap installation

If you want to improve your home’s air quality this winter, call us. You can also get in touch by using our contact form.