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The chimney is a cherished part of many households. It's responsible for the most classic of familial scenes: the happy, sweater-clad family lounging around the glowing chimney at Christmastime, basking in its natural heat. And as nice as that is, let's add a little green to that picture to round out the wholesomeness with some environmentally friendliness. Because unless your home boasts a revolutionary global warming-reducing liquid chimney, it's probably not as green as it could be.
Keep the chimney clean
Before the hard winter months hit (read: now) clean out your chimney flue. The US Department of Energy's office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy recommends you thoroughly clean your chimney because "burning wood leaves deposits of soot and creosote in the chimney flue; these deposits, accumulating over time, can catch and result in a household fire"
It recommends an annual professional cleaning. And when you go to get rid of the grime, make sure to use green cleaning supplies.
Clean it to Close it—It's Green
So why is cleaning your chimney out green? Because it allows you to turn the lever and close the flue when it's not in use, of course. Hot air, as we all know, rises. So when the flue is open, heat is consistently flowing up and out of your house.
Consider Glass Doors
Glass doors around the fireplace help prevent heat from escaping, too-though the EERE notes that it's an auxiliary feature, and that closing the flue is really the most important way to keep your chimney green, having glass doors in place can be a big help.
Check out the Planet Green's How to Go Green Cleaning for more helpful home greening tips.
