So, How Green Are Fireplaces & Stoves?

Though the weather in West Texas is still warm, it won't be long until we are all thinking about how to keep our  homes warm.
If you have a fireplace or stove, how efficient is it, anyway?
Read further for some interesting points to help you make the most of your fireplace or stove during the upcoming cold West Texas winter.

When they're not in use, fireplaces & stoves can leak large amounts of conditioned air to the outdoors via poorly fitting dampers, joints, and air intakes.
A fireplace can induce large drafts of interior air to go up through the chimney when a fire is burning! This issue can be minimized, however, by introducing ducted outdoor combustion air and by adjusting the damper to the smallest aperture that still draws all the smoke.
Fuel use efficiencies of fireplaces and stoves vary greatly. A conventional fireplace with no doors can consume more heat than it provides. A well-designed fireplace or late-model heating stove can burn fuel and heat a house fairly efficiently.
Chimneys should be swept frequently, depending on their use, to remove accumulated creosote, tars, and ash.

In conclusion,  many of us love using our wood burning fireplaces and stoves during those cold winter days on the South Plains and Permian Basin. With smart management and maintenence,  these household fixtures can add the warmth and ambiance of our homes!