Tag: fireplace

Burn Better: Burnwise

Posted: January 14, 2015

Whether you’re using a woodstove, pellet stove, or fireplace, smoke from your chimney means your fire isn’t burning as efficiently or cleanly as it could. Burn only dry, seasoned wood, and start a fire with dry kindling. Never burn painted or treated wood, which releases toxic chemicals . Get more tips for safe, efficient (and enjoyable!) wood burning.
http://go.usa.gov/ejww
See also — videos about drying firewood and reducing wood smoke and asthma triggers.

All About Gas Fireplaces

Posted: November 6, 2014
Source: THIS OLD HOUSE.COM

Wood is good, but you can’t beat the ease of a fire that lights with the push of a button. The experts at This Old House explain what it takes to put a gas-fueled hearth in your home

There’s only one thing better than a roaring fire on a wintry night: a roaring fire that needs no tending, requires minimal cleanup, and doesn’t leave the rest of the house freezing cold. That’s what you get with today’s gas fireplaces. Long gone are the anemic blue flames and unconvincing “logs.” Modern versions burn much more realistically, with glowing red embers and tall orange-yellow flames that dance and flicker around ceramic-fiber logs molded from the real thing.

Gas fireplaces come in three types: inserts, for folks who want to retrofit a wood-burning firebox with something more convenient and efficient; built-ins, for those who want a fireplace where there isn’t one now; and log sets, basic burners that sit in existing, open fireplaces. Both inserts and built-in fireplaces are reliable heat producers, filling your room with a mix of warm air and radiant heat. Log sets are usually more for looks than warmth. With each type, you have a choice between models that vent the flames’ fumes outside or vent-free versions that discharge all their heat, and exhaust, into the house.

On the following pages, we’ll help you pick the fireplace that’s right for you. We’ll also walk you through the key features to look for and explain how to get a unit that generates enough heat for your particular space. So when the first icy night of winter arrives, all it will take is a click of a remote control for you to cozy up in front of your blazing hearth.

All About Pellet Stoves

Posted: November 6, 2014
Source: This Old House.com

These high-efficiency heaters let you turn down the household thermostat while warming your rooms, providing ambience, and reducing your energy bills:

In colder climates, heating accounts for about one-third of a homeowner’s annual utility bill, which is why many are seeking thriftier ways to stay toasty. Freestanding pellet stoves and inserts that fit inside an existing fireplace are an increasingly popular solution. They look like traditional woodstoves but operate more like a modern furnace. You need only fill the stove’s hopper with pellets made from compacted sawdust, set its thermostat, sit back, and get cozy. A mechanical auger deposits the pellets into a burn pot, where they are incinerated at such a high temperature that they create no vent-clogging creosote and very little ash or emissions, which keeps both indoor and outdoor air cleaner. The best part is that they are about twice as efficient at warming your home as older woodstoves that have not been certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and are vastly more efficient than fireplaces.

Depending on your home’s size and layout, a pellet stove could supplement the current heating system or be used as the sole source. And, despite its workhorse reputation, pellet stoves come in a variety of designs to complement any interior style. Read on for This Old House’s expert advice on buying, installing, and firing up one of these energy-wise heaters.

Tip: Pellet stoves heat your home much like a furnace does while also providing a flame to gather around.

See all of the tips and stove at This Old House.com.