Florida Fireplaces-anyone have experience?

perhaps because we burn less frequently the wood is more seasoned down here. less sap and moisture in the wood means less creosote up the stack.

 

Different temperatures in the chimney.
With longer, taller chimneys and lower outside temperatures, the fumes become cooler, than they do here in Florida and as they go up the grease gets deposited on the walls of the chimneys.

 

I had a house with a fireplace about 8 years ago. Nothing like a great fire and champagne. I did that 365 days a year, neighbors thought I was crazy but the bifold glass doors in front of the fire kept out the heat in August.

Never had a problem with cleaning. Maybe once every two years. I figured it was the champagne farts or the scent of marijuana.

Although I like the less sap theory in tatcat's post.

 

I also live in Tampa. My house is 103 yrs old and the heat does not work. The house has been 50 to 55 degrees inside since mid December. I finally ordered space heaters online since I could not find anywhere that carries them locally.

 

Our house in Ft Lauderdale is 85 years old. We didn't want to hack up the oak floors and cove ceilings with central air, so we use split systems in each room, where the air handlers are mounted high on the walls, and the compressors are outside. These are widely used in Europe (nice, since the house is Med revival) and Asia. Even so, last night I shut down the living room unit and put in a fire. There was an amazing amount of heat coming off of it....using nice dry oak.....very little smoke, lots of heat.

 

Dear Ferraristi,

I have one of those typical "Palm Beach" style homes but with large fireplace. I've never used it as my 120" Home Theater screen hangs over it.

Damn, it's been cold, even my HVAC condenser got covered in ice last night. Seems the recirculate / defrost valve is sticking again....just had the thing serviced for the same problem in Jan.

Too cold to even go into the garage.....


Shamile

Freeze...Miami Vice !

 

You guys crack me up. Cold...hahaha.

I just moved here from up north. I was laughing my a$$ off the other day watching some woman wearing her goose down ski jacket in 70 degree weather while I was sitting there in a t-shirt. Anyway, I know it is all relative. I'm sure I'll be complaining next year.

As a former firefighter, be careful assuming you aren't leaving any creasote deposits. You shouldn't have a problem if you use clean wood, burn at a good temp, and clean the chimney regularly. Chimney fires can take your house down if it flashes and the fire runs a crack into the attic. Chimney fires were one of our most common calls in the winter and one of the hardest to chase if it got into the attic.

I guess my point is, I'm making an assumption you all can afford maintenance on a Ferrari, so maintenance on your chimney should be nothing. $100-$200 for an annual cleaning, no?

 

You'll soon learn there's quite a difference btwn 40 degree air in fl and 40 degree air in the north, say Boston...I grew up there and lived there for 10 yrs. Every yr I go back I wear shorts and its cooler there but yet when its less than 60 in fl I'm in pants. The humidity changes everything. Also, your blood thins out very quickly but I will agree, I too get a kick out of the women bringing out scarfs and mittens when its less than 70 out.

 

I know you're right. I was just busting some chops. I lived in Miami for 4 years while at UM and would actually start to feel cold in the winters after a few years of acclamation. I'll probably be complaining about the 60s by next winter.

I think more so than being cold, the women just like to accessorize.