Make the Most of Your Fireplace. Here are The Best Ways to Use Your Chimney This Winter

There’s nothing quite pleasant and soothing like curling up beside a crackling, warm fire on a chilly winter evening. But if you want your fireplace to safely and efficiently warm your home, you need to prepare your chimney for the season.

At chimneysweeps.com, we match homeowners throughout the United States with experienced, certified chimney sweep experts via our carefully selected list of expert chimney technicians. The goal is to help you keep your home safe, your fireplace efficient, and your chimney in excellent condition.

In this guide, we will show you the optimal ways to use your chimney and fireplace during winter to get more warmth, less smoke, and absolute peace of mind.

1. Always Begin with a Professional Chimney Inspection

Before lighting the first fire in your chimney, it is vital to ensure your chimney is in good condition, clean, safe, and functioning as it should. Chimneys accumulate soot and creosote which is a sticky, tar-like substance that forms when you burn wood over time. Excessive creosote can lead to chimney fires or restrict airflow.

A professional chimney sweep will:

• Inspect for cracks, obstructions, and loose bricks.

• Clear soot and creosote accumulation.

• Check the damper and flue to ensure they open and close correctly.

• Inspect for leaks or damaged chimney caps.

Most experts agree that your chimney should be inspected and cleaned at least annually.

Finding a qualified chimney sweep in your area is as easy as going to ChimneySweeps.com. Simply enter the zip code of the place where you live and receive a list of reputable professionals in your area.

2. Always Use the Right Kind of Firewood

Not every wood type burns the same way. Some types of wood produce more heat on burning while others create more smoke and buildup.

Here’s what you should know:

• Use seasoned hardwood like oak, maple, or ash. These woods burn longer and hotter, thereby producing more heat to keep your home warm during winter.

• Avoid softwoods like pine or fir. They produce more creosote and can clog your chimney faster.

• Make sure the wood is dry. Wet or green wood smokes more and wastes heat.

• If you’re not sure whether your wood is dry enough, knock two logs together. If they make a sharp “clack” sound, they’re ready to burn. If it sounds dull, they’re still too moist.

• Burning the right wood not only makes your fire warmer, but also helps keep your chimney cleaner between professional sweeps.

3. Keep the Damper Fully Open While Burning

Your chimney’s damper controls the airflow. If it’s partly closed while you’re burning wood, smoke can come back into your home. Always make sure your damper is fully open before starting a fire and keep it open until the fire and embers are completely out.

Once all the heat has dissipated, you can shut the damper to prevent warm inside air from escaping outdoors through the chimney.

In case your damper is jammed or leaking, a pro can repair or replace it for you. You can look for professionals to do that through ChimneySweeps.com, where you will see only verified businesses that do full chimney service.

4. Build Fires the Smart Way

A good fire does not have to be large or smoky to be warm. The secret is constructing it properly.

Try this technique that most experts suggest:

• Set small, dry sticks or kindling on the bottom.
• Stack medium-sized logs on top of the kindling.
• Light the fire from the top — not the bottom.

This “top-down” approach ensures the fire is more evenly burning and smokes less. It’s cleaner, longer-lasting, and emits more even heat.

Also, be sure to open a window fairly close to the fire slightly when lighting it. This circulates the air and prevents smoke from drifting up the chimney into the room.

5. Clean and Safe Fireplace Area

Before lighting your fire, clear the area around your fireplace of anything flammable like rugs, paper, or furniture. Keep children and animals at a safe distance.

If you have glass doors, leave them open during the fire and close them after only hot embers are left. This provides adequate ventilation without wasting the final bit of heat.

A fireplace screen is also a good idea. It prevents sparks and ash from flying out into the room and saves your floor from getting damaged.

6. Don't Ignore Fireplace Ash

After several fires, ash accumulates. Too much ash restricts air flow and prevents new fires from igniting.

Here’s how to do it safely:

• Wait at least 24 hours after the fire has been extinguished.
• Use a metal bucket and shovel, not plastic.
• Keep the bucket outside, away from anything that will burn.

Tip: Cold ashes can indeed be reused. A thin layer left on the bottom of the fireplace assists in starting the subsequent fire and guards the base of your firebox.

7. Schedule a Mid-Winter Chimney Check-Up

If you’re an everyday fireplace user, a single annual cleaning may not be sufficient. Homeowners in colder states will often plan a mid-winter chimney inspection to clean out deposits and maintain the system safely.

You can look for the highest-rated chimney sweep companies in your state or city directly on ChimneySweeps.com.

8. Know When It's Time for a Repair

Despite regular maintenance, your chimney might still require repairs, sometimes due to structural damages caused by severe weather activities or other events that hamper the working of your chimney.

Watch for these signs:

• Crumbling or missing mortar between bricks
• White staining on the outside (a sign of moisture leaks)
• Rust around the damper or firebox
• Peculiar odors when the fireplace isn’t in use

Related Reading: A Complete Guide on the Signs You Need a Chimney Repair

If you spot any of these, discontinue the use of the fireplace and contact a professional right away. By using our national directory, you can easily locate qualified chimney repair professionals in your locality who can check out the damage and repair it safely.

9. Why Professional Assistance is Needed

Chimney cleaning is not only about cleaning out soot. It’s about having a clue how the whole chimney system operates – the airflow, temperature, materials, and safety codes.

Professionals utilize cameras, industrial vacuum cleaners, and specialty brushes to access areas you can’t. Professionals also have an idea what to search for when it comes to concealed damage or code infractions that DIY sweeps can overlook.

At ChimneySweeps.com, we facilitate your connection to the right professionals for the task who are insured, licensed, and rated by actual customers.

Find the Best Chimney Sweep Companies Near You

Your chimney does more than blow smoke outside. It’s part of your home’s safety mechanism by directing heat, airflow, and combustion gases in the right direction.

Following these easy steps and with the help of certified chimney experts, you can have fun around your fireplace all winter.

If you’re ready to get your chimney ready for the season, go visit ChimneySweeps.com. You’ll find the best chimney sweep companies across the United States, from Virginia and Florida to Colorado and California, all in one place.