A wood-burning fireplace can be a good source of supplemental heat, but it will emit more pollutants into the air if the fire isn’t built properly.
To minimize wood smoke pollution from a fireplace or woodstove, here are a few tricks.
Try manufactured logs. They burn cleaner than wood logs and tend to last longer, even if they don’t have quite as much charm.
If you do use wood, burn only dry seasoned wood. Start a small fire using soft woods, and add larger hard-wood logs after the fire gets going.
Don’t burn garbage, glossy paper or wood that has been painted or chemically treated.
Finally, remember: excessive smoke is a sign that your fire wasn’t lit properly or is not burning correctly.