With very low temperature amplitudes and a predominantly oceanic climate, northern France experiences cool summers and fairly harsh winters. The average annual temperature is around 11°C. Is a chimney a good solution in these conditions?
Chimney sweeping: a necessity for optimum comfort
The use of a chimney implies a number of maintenance constraints, such as chimney sweeping. This is necessary to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning and even fires. It removes soot and other deposits that clog the flue. Don’t forget to consult your local health authority’s Standard Departmental Health Regulations (RSDT). For your health and safety, call on a professional in Lille to carry out your chimney sweeping as quickly and efficiently as possible. You should plan to have your chimney swept at least twice a year. The first sweep should be carried out during the heating season. The second should be scheduled for the end of the heating season. Don’t forget to ask your chimney sweep for a certificate. Your insurer will ask for this document in the event of a dispute.
The benefits of owning a fireplace
A fireplace gives your home a cocooning style. So you can enjoy the warm ambience that reigns in your home when the temperature flirts with the 0°C mark. But you still have to choose between the different types of fireplaces: inserts, stoves or fireplaces. The choice is just as wide when it comes to fuels: gas, pellets, wood or electric.
The fireplace insert: an environmentally-friendly heating solution
The fireplace insert features a cast-iron combustion chamber that simply fits into the hearth of a traditional fireplace. The device is fitted with a thick glass-ceramic door. You can also count on an airflow adjustment system and a double wall.
This heating equipment offers many advantages, including affordability. Added to this is optimal energy efficiency, energy savings and longer autonomy. What’s more, there’s no need to worry about cleanliness. There’s less smoke, ash and dust to worry about. A professional will install your fireplace insert. You’ll also benefit from subsidies and numerous tax advantages. In any case, a chimney insert requires flue lining. Regular maintenance, including chimney sweeping, is also required.
Open hearth fireplaces: for a warm, cosy interior
Admittedly, an open hearth fireplace is less efficient than an insert, but it does have the advantage of being authentic. What’s more, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to shapes, materials, styles and layouts.
Technically speaking, the open fireplace features 3 heat sources. Enjoy the warmth radiated by the flames. Similarly, the warm air circulating by convection warms the room. As for the walls, they store the heat produced by the flames before releasing it.
For optimum comfort, it’s a good idea to increase the efficiency of your open fireplace. This involves investing in specific equipment such as heat recovery units and firebacks. The heat recuperator is simply a heating element that needs to be installed in the fireplace. Heat recovery units come in two versions: air-fired and water-fired. The air-cooled heat recuperator draws air from the flue through a duct. The warmed air is discharged through the air vents. A water-source heat recovery unit consists of a domestic hot water circuit that passes through the heating element. The preheated water then reaches the heat pump or boiler. You can also optimize the heat supply by using the firebox plate. In this way, heat is diffused by conduction.
What are the long-term savings?
Using low-cost energy is bound to save you money. However, it’s important to choose quality wood for optimum performance and profitability. In this respect, inserts are clearly more efficient than open fireplaces. Inserts have been found to deliver between 70% and 80% efficiency. Better still, the efficiency of pellet inserts is close to 90%.
Of course, the performance of a fireplace (insert or open hearth) depends largely on regular maintenance. Twice-yearly chimney sweeping must be carried out by a professional. However, tubed flues and gas-fired fireplaces are exempt from this rule. One sweep a year is enough to maintain them.
What fuels should I choose for my fireplace in Northern France?
For optimum performance, use quality wood. These include hardwoods such as chestnut, walnut, fruit, beech, oak and ash. Otherwise, opt for softwoods such as fir, larch, willow and spruce. Beware of damp wood, which can clog the chimney.
Prefer dry wood, which you can store in the form of logs. Poor-quality wood also releases pollutants. This is particularly true of wood from old furniture, demolition sites or wood salvaged from the sea. Toxic or corrosive fumes come from treatment products, flaking varnish or paint. You’ll be able to recognize quality wood thanks to the “NF Bois de chauffage” mark.
What about retractable fireplaces?
Retractable fireplaces compensate for the low efficiency of open fireplaces. This revolutionary solution lets you enjoy the performance of a closed hearth fireplace, without being deprived of the charm of an old-fashioned fireplace. The concept is to retract the outer casing of the fireplace so you can enjoy the warmth of the flames directly. The result is an open fireplace.
And to take full advantage of the fireplace’s performance, simply close the hearth. This will limit pollutant emissions. The absence of ash and soot spatter means you don’t have to clean up regularly. This heating option is just as safe, since you won’t need to invest in a protective grate.
