LiviosTo be able to fully enjoy your attractive fireplace or stove in the near future, it is important that it functions properly. And a clean chimney plays an important role in this. Bouwsite Livios guides you through the topic.
A clean chimney is a…
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Because every heating appliance that runs on wood, gas, coal or fuel oil is a potential source of CO. This occurs if appliances are not properly adjusted or if the chimney does not draw properly. If there is too little oxygen in the room, this can lead to CO poisoning.
In addition, with a clean chimney the risk of a chimney fire is smaller. By cleaning the chimney, you remove any blockages and prevent deposits in the flue from catching fire. This way you avoid many dangers.
How do you prevent a chimney fire? Seven pieces of advice from a pro.
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Because a clean chimney reduces the concentration of particulate matter and soot. In any case, soot particles and particulate matter are released when wood and gas are burned. It is therefore better for the environment and yourself to ensure clean combustion to minimize emissions. How much particulate matter is released depends on which type of stove or fireplace you choose and the way you heat it.
Heating with logs or pellets: this is how you approach it smartly.
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Because when your chimney is clean, it works more efficiently and uses less fuel. And of course that is only good for your wallet.
Mandatory versus recommended
Whether you are obliged to have your chimney cleaned depends on various factors, such as whether or not your boiler is connected to a central heating system. If your central heating appliance runs on solid fuel, such as wood or pellets, you should have a certified technician come by annually for maintenance. Maintenance also includes cleaning the chimney. There is a biennial obligation for gas appliances.
For a pellet, gas or wood stove or fireplace that works individually, cleaning the chimney is not mandatory, but it is recommended for the reasons above. Also check your home insurance: some insurance companies impose mandatory cleaning of the chimney. This can only be to your own advantage in the event of a fire.
Read more: How do you maintain and repair a heating system?
Just sweep: you can do this yourself
If you use wood blocks or pellets, you can easily do a number of things yourself. It is therefore a good idea to regularly remove the combustion ash from the fireplace itself or from the ash pan. A layer of ash does no harm, it even insulates the bottom, but it is best to remove too much ash. If the amount of ash is abnormally high, you would be wise to have your fireplace or stove checked by a professional. Your device may be poorly adjusted. Count up to a few hundred euros for this check. In addition to removing the ashes, you can clean the bottom grille and the air supply duct.
You can also tackle the chimney itself. You can use a chemical cleaning block for this. You can get these blocks for about 10 euros. Or you can work in the classic way, where you sand off the soot residue with a chimney sweep set. For other matters, it is best to call on a professional.
Are you a do-it-yourself chimney sweep? Discover the step-by-step plan to get started here.
This is how the professionals do it
If you hire a chimney sweep, he can work in two ways – or rather in two directions – to remove the soot residue. Or he cleans the chimney from top to bottom, or from bottom to top. Count on an average of 60 to 100 euros for cleaning a flue.
In case of mandatory cleaning, you can have the chimney cleaned by a certified technician, who will then also maintain the boiler. Or by a chimney sweep, who cleans the chimney for boiler maintenance. You will then receive a certificate from the sweeper, which you can present to the technician who does the maintenance. Count on a price of 110 euros to 150 euros.
If the chimney is heavily polluted or, for example, a bird’s nest needs to be removed, the price will obviously be higher.
Good to know
Is your home older than 10 years and do you have the chimney swept by a certified sweeper? Then you can claim a reduced VAT rate. You then pay 6 percent instead of 21 percent.
Some chimney sweeps offer maintenance contracts, which ensures regular maintenance. These are often cheaper, but read the contract carefully.
Finally, if you are a tenant, you are responsible for everything related to maintenance. This also includes cleaning the chimney. The owner is responsible for repairs or defects.
Is your chimney not working properly? Then watch out for these dangers
Cozy and warm through the winter: which fireplace or stove suits you best?
Every year there are more than a thousand victims of CO poisoning: this is what is going wrong
This article was written by our partner Livios.be.
Livios.be is an expert site that focuses on construction and renovation.
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2023-10-07 06:11:21
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