Top Fire Places Reviewed » chimney

Choosing The Right Fireplace For Your Home

Fire Places — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 15:07:48 +0000

A fireplace can offer warmth, ambience, and an inviting focal point in a home. Fire provides the perfect atmosphere for social interaction, and watching the dancing flames is a primal and sensual experience which awakens the senses of sight, sound, smell and of touch.

If you want a reasonably priced heater to heat a specific room in your house that always seems to be chilly, you can install a vent free gas fireplace installed which cost a lot less than any kind of traditional fireplace or the electric that you would have to spend on with an electric heater.

The ventless gas fireplace uses no exhaust vent. This style includes an oxygen depletion sensor that turns off the gas if it senses a dangerous lack of oxygen inside the room or house. For safety purposes, it is crucial that you do not fall asleep or leave the unit burning unattended. While fireplace manufacturers claim that vent-free fireplaces burn clean, are energy efficient and don’t threaten indoor air quality, be aware that some states don’t permit the installation of vent-free fireplaces.

Fireplace options

If you enjoy using your masonry fireplace but don’t like the associated energy costs, you might want to consider purchasing a fireplace insert. Fireplace Inserts are specially designed to fit into a pre-existing Masonry Fireplace to increase heat output, reduce pollutant output, and increase heat efficiency. They can also drastically change the appearance of your fireplace and bring a modern element to your home.

If you want to utilize natural or propane gas, you can either choose between a direct vent or ventless gas fireplace inserts. If wood is readily available, you may want to consider a wood burning fireplace insert. If neither gas nor wood are viable options, you can consider electric fireplace inserts that can simply be plugged in and are ready for operation. If you have small children, there is an added bonus. Unlike other fireplaces, the electric fireplace is always cool to the touch.

If you want to install a wood stove into your home, the easiest way is to pick up a wood stove insert; a ready-made metal wood stove that simply slides into the cavity left by your original fireplace. Attractive yet unobtrusive, inserts are easy to install and easily provide more than enough heat for several adjacent rooms.

There are several things you need to do before making your initial purchase and choosing the stove itself. Firstly, ensure that the chimney and fireplace is cleaned and inspected by a certified technician before making any kind of decision. Then spend a few days mulling over websites and literature to familiarize yourself with modern wood stoves before starting out on the hunt.

Another great option is the pellet stove insert. There are several reasons pellet stoves have an advantage over other types of inserts. First is the convenience of the pellet fuel. The fuel is made of pressure compacted sawdust, corn or other biomass.

These pellets are very clean, unlike loads of wood that often leave bark, leaves, and shavings behind. They come in bags, and can be easily stacked and stored indoors or in a shed or garage. They take up less space than wood also.

The stoves are environmentally friendly, since the pellets burn very clean with very few emissions, and because the fuel pellets utilize waste matter that would otherwise be put into a landfill. They also create less ash, therefore less mess and waste as an after product.

Outdoor Fireplaces

When compared to indoor fireplaces, outdoor fireplaces burn brighter and radiate more heat. As the outdoor fireplaces are highly exposed to wind and rain, it is crucial to build shelters for these fireplaces. You can consider an outdoor stone fireplace.

It is an inexpensive way to add elegance and style to the outdoor space. A stone fireplace is easier to install and clean when compared to other outdoor fireplaces and it can withstand harsh climatic conditions.

Even though wood-burning outdoor fireplaces are attractive additions to the outdoor space, they cause air pollution and accumulation of creosote (a highly flammable residue formed by wood gases). This is why outdoor gas fireplaces (propane or natural gas) are a more popular choice. They prevent the excess emission of carbon monoxide and other hazardous pollutants.

For Hearth Maintenance

You will need a set of fireplace tool set which include a shovel, a poker, a brush and tongs. You have to keep the hearth area clear of ash because this will suffocate fires and make it very difficult to keep a good blaze going. The poker is used to help move logs about so that the wood can burn more evenly. Without these fundamental tools, you will not be able to effectively manage or maintain a fire.

Fireplaces are an excellent way of gathering your family together or a romantic evening with your significant other. Either way, the fireplace creates a family-friendly atmosphere while adding the perfect bit of ambiance to your home.

What causes wood burning stoves to drip black tar down the outside of the chimney?

Fire Places — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 06:20:13 +0000

Our stove releases smoke into the house when we open the stove door, it also has a black goo that runs down the chimney.

How to mount a flatscreen television above a non-working fireplace?

Fire Places — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 00:03:27 +0000

I was going to get a 42" TV and mount it above a low fireplace that isn’t functioning (so there’s no heat/soot concerns). The wall above the fireplace is drywall and I don’t yet have a stud finder. Most likely, would there be normal spaced studs in front of a chimney? I’m just concerned about finding something I can screw the wall mount into.

Best options for heating an old victorian flat?

Fire Places — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 12:00:37 +0000

Situation: basically no heat (had some unvented natural gas heaters in front of decorative fireplaces, but they are unsafe and weren’t legally installed). Unit is on the second floor of a 3 floor building, so forced air isn’t an option. Gas inserts for the fireplace would require some big installation challenges (venting up through our chimney and the upstairs neighbors), possibly some structural work. Radiant floor heating is possible if I am willing to tear up my wooden floors, install the heating and reinstall the flooring. I have a couple of inexpensive space heaters (electric) in each end of the place which aren’t really that helpful on cold days. I can ask my family to wear more sweaters. Beyond that?? Thanks for any insights!

Can I use an old chimney flue intended for a wood or coal range as a duct for a modern range hood?

Fire Places — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 02:32:09 +0000

My house has a 3 flue chimney with one closed off opening to the kitchen for a flue that is not in use. I suppose it was for a wood or coal kitchen range. The chimney rises through my 2 story 1898 home and thru the attic. The other two flues are for the boiler and a fireplace which is never used. . We wonder if a range hood could vent into this flue? Our carpenter worries that it would cause a lot of heat loss. I worry that the old flue might be very dirty.

What is the purpose of an electric fireplace?

Fire Places — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:12:10 +0000

How would someone keep warm if they had a power outage in the fall or winter and weren’t able to use it?

Or is it intended mainly for condos and apartments where a regular chimney is not practical?

How do I repair this chimney or can it be saved?

Fire Places — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:04:45 +0000

I am buying a 108 year old victorian house. When I checked the chimney in the attic, it appears that the morter has turned to sand. The fireplace down on the first floor is covered with a board and I can’t see up the chimney. Any sugestions?

Why does my fireplace burn wood so quickly? It's a HomeFire product same as a jetmaster?

Fire Places — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:03:20 +0000

I have a built in open fireplace and recently it’s begun to burn through the wood so so quickly. (tested different log types) . It can burn through a log basket 60cm x 40cm in just a couple of hours -that’s about 50 or so logs. There is a lever on the right which moves the "flap" (can’t think of a better word) at the opening of the chimney to wide or narrow. I tested both wide and narrow but no obvious change. It’s actually burnt through sections of the fire grate. How do I find more info on how fast or slow it should burn etc etc. Aside from log types, what else may cause the fire to burn so quickly?

Cost for supporting a chimney?

Fire Places — Sat, 29 May 2010 12:01:01 +0000

Got an old victorian house where all of the old fireplaces have been taken out. The surveyor says that the supports for the chimney need to be replaced. What would that cost?
Got an 1930s brick built house where all of the old fireplaces have been taken out. The surveyor says that the supports for the chimney need to be improved. What would that cost?
Not in an earthquake or otherwise vulnerable area

How do I safely connect a 6'' flue pipe to a 9'' round clay chimney pipe liner?

Fire Places — Wed, 26 May 2010 19:18:50 +0000

I just moved to a three year old house with a large fireplace. A cast iron wood burning/multi fuel stove would fit perfectly in the large opening. My problem is that the stoves I’ve looked at have six inch flue pipe diameters, while the clay liner coming from my chimney has a nine inch diameter. Will I need to have something fabricated or does anyone know a company that has an off the shelf solution that doesn’t cost a fortune?

how to install an electric fireplace into an existing open fire space?

Fire Places — Wed, 26 May 2010 12:17:10 +0000

i have just gotten a gas fire taken out and am left with a big hole in the chimney. now i want to put an electric fireplace and surround. how do i do this?

help decorate our showroom?

Fire Places — Fri, 21 May 2010 00:00:14 +0000

my partener and i have a fireplace showroom, we have extended it to the upstairs of the building, down stairs we went for nueteral colours beige and cream.. upstairs we are having contemporary fires and want to be a little bit brave and go for bolder colours we are limited though as we have a red carpet that we would like to keep. there are 9 chimney breasts we would like them a different colour from the main walls. but what colour?? is it to much to do them red? what about these new designer wall papers? are they to bold? please help xx
help please!!!

How do I get my fireplace fitted?

Fire Places — Thu, 20 May 2010 00:02:09 +0000

I live in a mansion block in London and have an old Victorian fireplace in my living room with chimney. I don’t think the fire has been used since the good old days but I was wondering how much it would cost to have it fitted up to enable me to have a gas fire. It’s currently boarded up with some wood but this can easily be removed. Who does one contact to get a fire reinstated?

Thanks

installing cast iron stove fireplace?

Fire Places — Sat, 15 May 2010 02:28:01 +0000

i am thinking about installing a small cast iron stove looking fire place, more for function than form. i am wondering if I can hook up the chimney to the existing exhaust vent for my gas furnace?

i have two fireplaces in my home. one upstairs, one in the basement. can i put a gas insert in one of them?

Fire Places — Wed, 12 May 2010 05:45:08 +0000

i want to put a gas insert in the upstairs fireplace and burn wood in the basement fireplace. same chimney, seperate flues. can this be done?

Do double wide mobile homes that have fireplaces have a fake chimney on the roof or just the pipe sticking out?

Fire Places — Sat, 08 May 2010 03:15:38 +0000

The one we’re buying has a fireplace and i never thought to ask about the chimney.
i know the fireplace requires a real chimney, but some houses only have the stove pipe sticking out of the roof. not a brick (or fake brick) "chimney".

What are the regulations for outdoor fireplaces in New York State?

Fire Places — Fri, 07 May 2010 00:59:41 +0000

We bought an outdoor fireplace with a chimney. Are they allowed in New York State with the new laws?

What have your experiences been with gas fireplaces and heating cost savings?

Fire Places — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 00:52:46 +0000

We have a fireplace where the chimney has been sealed off. We are considering a gas insert but want to try to do a bit of a cost benefit analysis regarding heating costs. We have hot water radiator heat now and this would supplement the heat in the area that we spend the most time in. Thanks!

Masonry Fireplaces Why is my home filling with smoke when a fire is lit?

Fire Places — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 18:39:04 +0000

I have a double fireplace, they run next to each other in one chimney, but are completely separate. I had a new cap put on and fireplaces cleaned in the spring. We have tried a fire twice, home is filling with smoke. I do not understand the physic’s, why is this happening? I used to think if I opened the flu one knotch in basement, upstairs fire would not cause smoke to come back in. This is not working now. Does one affect the other? I don’t see how it can. The fire place is deep enough to not cause smoke to come into the room. Please Help!!! Thank you.

How do fireplaces work when convection makes the heat go up?

Fire Places — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 17:42:02 +0000

Convection makes heat move, and so heat rises it goes up and out the chimney. Why is it that fireplaces still heat rooms and you can only feel the direct heat from the fire when you are very close?

Pellet Stove Inserts

Fire Places — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 04:47:43 +0000

Pellet Stove Inserts are Carefree, Efficient and Money Saving

When you are looking for way to save money on your heating bills the last thing you want to do is make it a complicated process. A very simple, money saving way to make your fireplace more efficient is to add a pellet stove insert. These inserts are carefree, efficient and money saving and you will not have to wait long to see the value of your purchase. You will begin to see lower heating bills the day that you install your insert.

Fireplace Stove Inserts and Your Existing Fireplace

Pellet stove inserts fit onto your existing fireplace. One of the best models currently on the market is the Accentra. The Accentra is made by the well known and highly respected manufacturer Harman. This particular model is made to convert a fireplace that generally only looks nice, but wastes a lot of heat by escaping up the chimney, into an actually source of heat for your home. It does this with a unique shaped blower. The blower is accordion shaped which gives it a more effective way to release the heat back into the room.

Accentra pellet stove inserts can hold up to 57 pounds of wood pellets in its hopper. This means that you will not have to worry about constantly adding more fuel to keep your fire burning. It is very easy to clean, if fact you can actually burn nearly a ton of wood pellets before you need to clean the ash from it and unlike other models, the Accentra has a slide system that lets you slide out the entire insert for very easy cleaning. This model can heat up to 1500 square feet making it useable for almost every household.

More Heating Output From Your Pellet Stove Insert

However if you need a bit more heating output you may want to consider pellet stove inserts by Austroflamm. These inserts can heat up to 2500 square feet. Austroflamm is also one of the best insert manufacturers and installing their insert can be done by any homeowner that is a bit handy. They give you a DVD with step by step instructions. The dealers that sell these inserts will tell you that the reviews given to Austroflamm give them high ratings in affordability, quality and customer service.

Prices for either the Accentra or the Austroflamm can vary depending on what type of options you would like. For example Austroflamm offers up to five different finishes and a hopper that can hold up to 99 pounds of wood pellets. The Accentra also has options like zero clearance, which means you can use it with a pre existing fireplace with a wood mantle. Either of these two pellet stove inserts will greatly reduce your heating cost.

Cleaning and Maintaining Your Pellet Stove Inserts

With very specific design features either of these two models will be easy to clean and maintain. With a small initial investment you can turn your fireplace into a real heat producing machine. The great thing about using pellet stove inserts is you gain the carefree maintenance, the heat efficiency and the money savings without losing the beauty and ambience of your fireplace.

Electric Fireplace Inserts

Fire Places — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 04:13:00 +0000

Electric Fireplace Inserts – Warm Up Without The Mess

A fireplace is a great addition to any home. A fireplace can warm both the temperature and the atmosphere, add charm and make for a relaxing or a romantic night. Unfortunately, not everyone can have an authentic, wood-burning fireplace. Many homes do not come equipped with such a luxury, and the task of installing one in an existing structure can be daunting.

Why Electric Fireplaces Are Growing In Popularity

Even those that have a fireplace may not be enjoying the glow and warmth of a fire as often as they would like. The work involved in collecting and chopping wood, beginning the fire, and keeping up the maintenance of a chimney may seem like small things at first but can grow tedious overtime.

For reasons such as these, electronic fireplaces have begun to grow in popularity. These fireplaces, unlike the traditional kind, are portable, convenient, mess-free and safe.

An electric fireplace has all the convenience of a space heater. You simply bring it home from the store, plug it in, and in minutes you’re basking in the glow of your very own “fire” just by flipping a switch. These units can be installed literally anywhere; in a basement, in an apartment, in an entertainment center or even on the wall. The choice is yours. They can also take the place of an existing traditional fireplace.

With an electronic fireplace, you get all the warmth and coziness of a fire with none of the mess. There’s no wood to chop, no soot to clean, and no chimney to maintain. In fact, there doesn’t have to be a chimney at all, which will also save you on losing heat straight through your roof. Also, these units are unparalleled in their safety. Because they’re electric you aren’t dealing with actual flames, so all safety issues, such as fire hazards and burned hands, are eliminated.

Also, while electric fireplaces have all the convenience of a space heater, it is clearly superior in aesthetic quality. Instead of an unsightly metal box sitting in the middle of your room, you can instead enjoy the peaceful, relaxing sight of a fire.

The Dimplex 23″ Standard Electric Fireplace Insert/Log Set is a great choice for your own electric fireplace. It comes complete with lifelike flame technology that creates the look of a real fire. It also includes realistic, painted logs and an ember bed for additional effect.

This model generates 1,375 watts of warmth and has the capacity to heat up to 400 square feet. However, it also comes equipped for enjoyment year round. On hot days, you can still enjoy the sight of the realistic flames by turning the heat off, an option that will never be available in a traditional fireplace.

Eliminate Safety Hazards With An Electric Fireplace Insert

While an electric fireplace will never totally match the look and feel of its more traditional counterpart, the advantages and benefits of these models are undeniable. These units eliminate safety hazards, tedious clean up, and can be installed anywhere simply by plugging into the nearest outlet. A fireplace is a great addition to any home, and for the cost and quality, electric units can’t be beaten.

Top Fire Places Reviewed » chimney

Choosing The Right Fireplace For Your Home

Fireplace options

Outdoor Fireplaces

For Hearth Maintenance

What causes wood burning stoves to drip black tar down the outside of the chimney?

Other Articles and Posts

How to mount a flatscreen television above a non-working fireplace?

Other Articles and Posts

Best options for heating an old victorian flat?

Other Articles and Posts

Can I use an old chimney flue intended for a wood or coal range as a duct for a modern range hood?

Other Articles and Posts

What is the purpose of an electric fireplace?

Other Articles and Posts

How do I repair this chimney or can it be saved?

Other Articles and Posts

Why does my fireplace burn wood so quickly? It's a HomeFire product same as a jetmaster?

Other Articles and Posts

Cost for supporting a chimney?

Other Articles and Posts

How do I safely connect a 6'' flue pipe to a 9'' round clay chimney pipe liner?

Other Articles and Posts

how to install an electric fireplace into an existing open fire space?

Other Articles and Posts

help decorate our showroom?

Other Articles and Posts

How do I get my fireplace fitted?

Other Articles and Posts

installing cast iron stove fireplace?

Other Articles and Posts

i have two fireplaces in my home. one upstairs, one in the basement. can i put a gas insert in one of them?

Other Articles and Posts

Do double wide mobile homes that have fireplaces have a fake chimney on the roof or just the pipe sticking out?

Other Articles and Posts

What are the regulations for outdoor fireplaces in New York State?

Other Articles and Posts

What have your experiences been with gas fireplaces and heating cost savings?

Other Articles and Posts

Masonry Fireplaces Why is my home filling with smoke when a fire is lit?

Other Articles and Posts

How do fireplaces work when convection makes the heat go up?

Other Articles and Posts

Pellet Stove Inserts

Fireplace Stove Inserts and Your Existing Fireplace

More Heating Output From Your Pellet Stove Insert

Cleaning and Maintaining Your Pellet Stove Inserts

Other Articles and Posts

Electric Fireplace Inserts

Why Electric Fireplaces Are Growing In Popularity

Eliminate Safety Hazards With An Electric Fireplace Insert

Other Articles and Posts