Wood Burning Fireplaces - How They Work

Wood burning fireplaces with their glowing warmth have been the convention place in homes for centuries. Christmas Holidays are always remembered with a photo in front of the fireplace. Wood burning fireplaces are a great source of heat.

As a sole heating source (heating an entire home) a fireplace has a difficult time. Centuries ago before the invention of the wood stove, homes had several fireplaces; many had a fireplace in every room. When a fireplace burns wood it produces heat, heat rises up the chimney and out into the cold air. The hotter the fire the more heat is pushed up the chimney. A wood burning fireplace pulls hot air from the other rooms in your home and the hot air masses in the fireplace room before it goes up the chimney. This leaves the rooms farthest from the fireplace cold. Having a wood burning fireplace at either end of the home tends to pull the heat from fireplace to fireplace spreading the warmth straight through out the entire home. A fireplace in every room created a very warm home.

Gutter History

Today most homes only have one wood burning fireplace. The best way to heat an entire home with wood is called an insert. This is a wood burning stove that is inserted into the fireplace. A wood stove is a slow burn. You are able to operate the burn with dampers and air controls. By allowing a small air in and closing down the damper heat is generated back into your room where it will spread straight through out your entire home.

Wood stove inserts have increased in prices over the years. The interrogate for alternative heat has been fueled by higher natural gas and heating oil costs. Wood stove inserts are running from 0 to a high of ,000. Shop colse to for the best prices and don't be afraid to ask when the next sale is.

Wood Burning Fireplaces - How They Work