Plano AC Installers discusses open fires in the home

Plano AC Installers Total Air & Heat discusses open fires in the home.

Before home heating systems were available people relied on the inefficient and wasteful heat from an open fire.  Even so, an active fireplace is great for creating atmosphere on a cold winter night.

How open fires operate

All fires require a sufficient supply of oxygen as well as a way for its smoke and gases to escape.  If any of these are unavailable, then the fire will eventually die down and quit.

Most domestic open fires are built on a barred grate allowing ash and other debris to fall while oxygen is sucked up into the base of the fire creating a continuous combustion.

Burned fuel releases heated gases that expand and become progressively lighter than surrounding air.  These gases rise and require an escape route through the chimney in order to prevent it from drifting and filling the room.

As this heated gas rises, suction at the bottom of the fire draws in more oxygen so that the fire can keep burning.  This means that the room surrounding the fireplace needs proper ventilation.

Some modern homes contain tightly sealed doors and windows that could prevent a fire from burning properly due to a lack of consistent air.  These homes require extra ventilation through either a dedicated fireplace vent or by slightly opening a window.

Plano AC Installers Total Air & Heat has provided quality, dependable, and high efficient heating and air conditioning systems since the founder, Fred Lauten, started the business in 1957. His son, Steve, carries on the family tradition and has installed thousands of systems in homes and businesses in the North Texas area. If you have any questions please call us at 972-881-0020.Plano AC Installers

For Collin County, TX AC repair, please visit Total Air.
For Hood County, TX AC repair, please visit Glenn-Aire Company.
For Fort Collins, CO AC repair, please visit Poudre Valley Air.