TOTEM TIPS
BEFORE/AFTER - CHANGING YOUR CHIMNEY
Would you like a more modern fireplace?
A safer fireplace?
A more efficient way to heat your home?
Replace your existing fireplace with a TOTEM fireplace insert, fireplace insert or custom-built fireplace insert.
See a before-and-after video: Installation of a Technika custom insert to close an open fireplace.
INSTALLING THE DEFLECTOR
HOW TO LIGHT A FIRE
NOTIONS ABOUT FIREWOOD
How to dry your wood?
Whatever wood you use, it must always be dry (less than 15/20% humidity). Damp wood releases much less energy than dry wood, which is used to evaporate the water it contains. What's more, damp wood generates fewer flames, but much more smoke, fouling the firebox, glass and flue.
To promote drying, the wood must be split, stored under cover, with sufficient ventilation, and ensure that the logs are not in contact with the ground. As a general rule, 2 years are often necessary for proper drying.
What moisture content should my wood have?
It's important to know that wood with too much moisture won't heat up.
What's more, damp wood increases CO emissions by 2 to 4 compared with dry wood, and clogs up your appliance, reducing its performance.
Ideally, humidity levels should always be below 20%. This can be checked using hygrometers available from distributors.
Drying time (e.g. beech)
Humidity level
Calorific value
Barely cut
60%
1.7 kWh/Hg
3 months
40%
2.8 kWh/Hg
6 months
35%
3.1 kWh/Hg
12 months
25%
3.7 kWh/Hg
18 months
20%
4.0 kWh/Hg
24 months
15%
4.3 kWh/Hg
Which wood to choose?
Birch :
Birch burns quickly without overheating, and leaves very little ash. It produces beautiful, clear, slightly bluish flames. It's a favorite with bakers. This wood makes good embers, and can be used to light a fire.
Beech:
Beech is an excellent firewood: it dries quickly and provides good heating power. For drying, it should be placed under cover as soon as it has been split, to prevent rotting. It burns quickly, so it's easy to light. It gives off a pleasant odor as it burns. It is considered the ideal firewood. It produces beautiful flames and embers.
Oak:
It burns very slowly. It should be left for 1 year in the rain to wash out any tannin, before being stored under cover to dry. Oak makes the best embers. They burn slowly and release a lot of energy.
The charm:
Hornbeam burns slowly, which provides a good amount of heat. Few fumes are produced during combustion. Hornbeam produces excellent embers that distribute heat over time. The hornbeam flame is beautiful and harmonious.
Ash:
Described as giving the most beautiful flame, this wood burns for a long time without sparking, and gives off a lot of heat. It is difficult to cut.
Chestnut:
Chestnut wood is a hard wood, used in the past for cooperage (barrel-making). It's an average firewood, as it splinters and sparks a lot during combustion. When the firebox door is down, it's safe to use: when the door is up, we recommend using a fireguard.
Softwoods:
Softwoods should be avoided. These woods release large quantities of heat, but burn very quickly. Their combustion produces embers, and the resins contained in the wood quickly clog up fireplaces and chimneys. These heavy soot deposits encourage fires to start in the flues.
Air - wood fund
The Technika range complies with the Eco Design 2022 standard and is rapidly evolving thanks to the work of our design office. The entire range is eligible for the Fonds Air Bois, registered withADEME.
Find out which appliances are eligible for the Fonds Air Bois :
https://www.flammeverte.org/les-aides-financieres/fonds-air-bois
As well as the associated aids by region:
https://agirpourlatransition.ademe.fr/particuliers/finances/aides-a-renovation/aide-fonds-air-bois
CLEANING AND MAINTAINING CHIMNEY GLASS
To prevent window blackening:
- Use dry wood.
- Do not idle the fireplace.
- If the room is too hot, install a warm air distribution system.
For deep cleaning:
- Take a damp cloth dipped in cold ash.
- Rinse with a cloth soaked in water.
- Wipe clean with newspaper.
- Repeat these operations until the glass is clean.
- Caution: never use oven strippers, as they may damage the door seals.
Caution: never use oven strippers, as they may damage the door seals.
