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What about a fireplace? How much infrared does a fire in a fireplace produce? And is that a healthy amount? Over the winter, I’ve been sitting in front of the f

What about a fireplace? How much infrared does a fire in a fireplace produce? And is that a healthy amount? Over the winter, I’ve been sitting in front of the fireplace a lot doing my work. I use about 3-4 logs an hour.

gnicholas 4y ago
I wondered about this as well. And how do gas fireplaces (with 'logs' that light up red-hot) compare? Does it matter if you're facing it, or facing away?
- alfor 4y ago
  If you feel radiated heat and see a bit of red infrared on a wide spectrum. The infrared deeply penetrate the tissues, so it shouldn’t matter much. Trust how you feel too.
- hollerith 4y ago
  >Does it matter if you're facing it, or facing away? It is best to do both, and your sides too. The infrared does not go all the way through your trunk or legs or head.
therealdrag0 4y ago
I would be amazed if any benefit from infrared outdoes the harm of smoke/air pollution.
- roamerz 4y ago
  With today’s fireplaces I think there is very little harm from smoke or pollution. Newer models are down to 1gram / hr of smoke and burning wood is carbon neutral for those that care about that part. Nothing nicer than an indoor fireplace when it’s cold outside. The fact that it might help with degrading eyesight is a win.
  - therealdrag0 4y ago
    Do you mean that much through the chimney or in the home? And what does that translate to for health outcomes. A gram of particles small enough to enter your bloodstream could actually be a lot for all I know. And I ask about the chimney because fireplaces have been shown to impact neighbor health as well so it’s not just about getting it outside and it’s all good.
    - roamerz 4y ago
      Here’s a link to the epa wood stove data. The 1gr is referring to the exhaust out the pipe. https://www.epa.gov/burnwise/choosing-right-wood-burning-stove https://www.epa.gov/burnwise/choosing-right-wood-burning-sto...
alfor 4y ago
I think it’s a big part of why it feel so good in the winter. Heat without infrared doesn’t feel the same at all. Here (Canada) people have spent the winter close to a fireplace for 100’s of years. Warm room without infrared source is recent.
- jay_kyburz 4y ago
  There is nothing better that having a nap in font of a window with full sun blazing down on you in the middle of winter.
  - Smoosh 4y ago
    Cats have known this all along.

gnicholas 4y ago

I wondered about this as well. And how do gas fireplaces (with 'logs' that light up red-hot) compare? Does it matter if you're facing it, or facing away?

alfor 4y ago
If you feel radiated heat and see a bit of red infrared on a wide spectrum. The infrared deeply penetrate the tissues, so it shouldn’t matter much. Trust how you feel too.
hollerith 4y ago
>Does it matter if you're facing it, or facing away? It is best to do both, and your sides too. The infrared does not go all the way through your trunk or legs or head.

therealdrag0 4y ago

I would be amazed if any benefit from infrared outdoes the harm of smoke/air pollution.

roamerz 4y ago
With today’s fireplaces I think there is very little harm from smoke or pollution. Newer models are down to 1gram / hr of smoke and burning wood is carbon neutral for those that care about that part. Nothing nicer than an indoor fireplace when it’s cold outside. The fact that it might help with degrading eyesight is a win.
- therealdrag0 4y ago
  Do you mean that much through the chimney or in the home? And what does that translate to for health outcomes. A gram of particles small enough to enter your bloodstream could actually be a lot for all I know. And I ask about the chimney because fireplaces have been shown to impact neighbor health as well so it’s not just about getting it outside and it’s all good.
  - roamerz 4y ago
    Here’s a link to the epa wood stove data. The 1gr is referring to the exhaust out the pipe. https://www.epa.gov/burnwise/choosing-right-wood-burning-stove https://www.epa.gov/burnwise/choosing-right-wood-burning-sto...

alfor 4y ago

I think it’s a big part of why it feel so good in the winter. Heat without infrared doesn’t feel the same at all. Here (Canada) people have spent the winter close to a fireplace for 100’s of years. Warm room without infrared source is recent.

jay_kyburz 4y ago
There is nothing better that having a nap in font of a window with full sun blazing down on you in the middle of winter.
- Smoosh 4y ago
  Cats have known this all along.