Chimneys are beneficial additions to many homes. These ventilation structures accommodate fireplaces and are among the top amenities that add value to the home. According to the National Association of Real Estate Appraisers, fireplaces and chimneys may increase the resale value of homes by up to 12%. Chimneys complement the fireplaces that can provide eco-friendly heating, energy efficiency, fire for cooking, and a pleasant ambiance. Unfortunately, a dirty fireplace can lower the indoor air quality (IAQ) of your home. Poor indoor air quality has a detrimental impact on modern life. According to a report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans spend up to 90% of our time indoors. This means that toxic pollutants from a dirty chimney can directly affect your quality of life. A look at the specific ways a dirty chimney can alter indoor air quality can provide insight on how to get the best cleaning and maintenance for your home.
How Does a Dirty Chimney Affect Indoor Air Quality?
A chimney is a tall, vertical pipe designed to exhaust combustion gases into the air. Combustion refers to the burning of fuel for heat or warmth. Depending on the type of fuel burned, combustion can also produce unwanted by-products. Because not all combustion gases escape the chimney at once, some by-products remain behind in the chimney as residue. Eventually, the accumulation of this residue can create pollutants and lower the quality of indoor air.
In addition to residue buildup, other chimney factors can also compromise air quality. For example, incomplete combustion of fuels can cause harmful products to remain in the room. Drafts from outside can push contaminants down the chimney instead of allowing them to escape outdoors. In addition, negative pressure from temperature differences can also cause pollutants from the chimney to enter your room. For instance, if the air outside is a vastly different temperature from the air inside, the differences in pressure can also push heat down your chimney and force pollutants into your home. Similarly, if it is very humid outside, condensation can form and mix within the residue of a dirty chimney. This can create unpleasant odors and lower the air quality of your home.
Pollutants that result from the combustion of fuel can include hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), fine particle pollution, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide, nitrogen and sulfur oxides, and creosote. Both wood-burning fireplaces and gas fireplaces can produce various airborne toxins as a result of combustion. These contaminants can remain trapped within the chimney if you do not have it cleaned regularly.
Hazardous air pollutants (HAPs)
Hazardous air pollutants are toxins that are known or suspected to cause respiratory irritation, illness, cancer, or birth defects. They are also called toxic air pollutants. Examples include benzene, formaldehyde, acrolein, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Emission levels can depend on types of fuel burned. For example, benzene is often the result of gas fuel while polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons occur in high quantities in wood fuel.
Fine Particle Pollution
Incomplete combustion of wood or gas can result in fine particle pollution. These fine particles are also known as particulate matter or ash waste. In addition, wood smoke specifically contains inhalable particles known as PM10 and PM2.5. According to the EPA, these microscopic particles can get into your eyes and respiratory system. The particles worsen allergy systems and can trigger asthma attacks, heart attacks, strokes, or heart failure in individuals already at risk for such conditions. Inhaling too much particle pollution can also irreversibly damage lung tissue.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that both vaporize into air and dissolve in water. Exposure to VOC vapors can have adverse health effects such as respiratory or eye irritation. Some VOCs are also carcinogens that can eventually cause cancer.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a tasteless, odorless, and colorless gas that disrupts the body’s ability to utilize oxygen. Incomplete combustion of gas as well as gas fireplace leaks can result in carbon monoxide exposure. Low levels of carbon monoxide exposure can cause fatigue, dizziness, weakness, headaches, confusion, and nausea. Long-term or extreme levels of carbon monoxide exposure can result in loss of consciousness or death.
Nitrogen Oxide and Sulfur Oxide
Nitrogen oxide (NO2) is a poisonous and highly reactive gas that can form when fuel burns at very high temperatures. This gas can irritate the ears, nose, and throat. In high concentrations, it can cause shortness of breath and eventually lead to lung diseases like emphysema. Sulfur oxide is a pollutant that has a strong, smoky odor and can also cause respiratory problems.
Creosote
Creosote is a category of carbonaceous chemicals that leaves a sooty buildup in your fireplace. This gummy substance is the result of unused tar, pyrolysis, and gas vapors combustion. The sticky material is a natural byproduct of burning coal or wood, and it remains in your chimney until you remove it. It is highly flammable and expands quickly in heat. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), just a one-half inch of sooty buildup is enough to restrict airflow from 17% to 30%. This restriction can cause a chimney fire capable of damaging the fireplace and spreading into the home. Breathing in creosote vapors can irritate the lungs and respiratory tract. It can also cause rashes and exacerbate conditions like asthma.
Mold and Other Biological Pollutants
Even if you do not burn fuel or use your fireplace that often, a dirty chimney can still contain contaminants that harm air quality. Dark and unused chimneys contain organic material like unused carbon and tar. This material can mix with the moisture in the air and become the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew. These biological contaminants produce musty odors and mold spores that cause sinus problems or headaches. Unused chimneys can also become a nesting location for critters like birds, squirrels, or raccoons. The nesting activities of these critters can create debris that act as allergens and also become fire hazards. Regardless of whether you use your fireplace every year, you should schedule consistent inspection and cleanings to ensure that critters do not take up residence in your chimney.
What Steps Can I Take to Improve Indoor Air Quality?
The first step in addressing dirty chimneys and improving indoor air quality is to schedule routine maintenance and cleaning. If it has been a while since your last cleaning or inspection, you should start with a full chimney tune-up. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) code, chimney tune-ups consist of a full check for structural soundness and clearance of creosote deposits. Skilled inspectors can also identify problems like crumbling bricks, drafting issues, or inefficient chimney operation. A technician can then complete any necessary repairs during the tune-up.
Following the tune-up, you can schedule routine maintenance twice a year. Maintenance consists of flue inspection to ensure proper release of combustion gases as well as chimney sweeps to remove soot particles and contaminants. Professional companies have tools and specialized equipment like high-tech camera systems to perform a thorough job. A trained professional can also test for ventilation or circulation problems that can impact air purity.
In addition to chimney maintenance, you can also improve indoor air quality by asking a home service professional to install items like exhaust fans, air filters, or air scrubbers. For example, a whole-home filtration system with HEPA filters can 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns in size and larger. An air scrubber is a device that attaches directly to your ductwork and can remove pollution, VOCs, and other contaminants.
Finally, a home services company can also install CO detectors and oxygen-depletion sensors to lower the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from incomplete combustion or gas leaks. If it is time to replace your fireplace or chimney, you may also consider a sealed-combustion fireplace instead. This type of system uses dedicated outdoor air intake and exhaust ducts to reduce the effect that the combustion process has on your indoor air environment.
Contact Us Today
A dirty chimney can compromise indoor air quality. Fortunately, a home services company can help. Davis & Green offers indoor air quality services for homes in Richmond, VA and surrounding areas. We offer air quality testing and install the best air purifiers. Our technicians also perform carbon monoxide testing and install CO detectors that help keep your family safe. We work with gas and electric furnaces and also perform duct cleaning. No matter the heating or cooling issue, our technicians can help. Contact Davis & Green today for your home service needs.
