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March 9, 2010
For a new style, or to replace an aging set, upgrading to new gas logs can transform the look of your fireplace.
As you go about your annual cleaning of the log set, watch for cracking, warping and general wear. Extensive use will take its toll on the gas log set. Upgrading keeps your fireplace in good working order and looks fabulous for years. New gas logs may also save you money as many new gas log sets are more energy efficient than older gas log models.
Make your fire larger with a wider gas log set or different shaped gas logs. You may be surprised by the selection. When upgrading to new gas logs, visit Fireplace Village to check out the wide selection and variety of available. At Fireplace Village you can buy fireplace and wood stove accessories online.
March 8, 2010
Other than cleaning the firebox of ash build up and having your chimney cleaned, much of the wood stove annual maintenance involves checking over the unit.
Conduct a simple test to check the seal of your door. Use a piece of paper to see whether your wood stove door is closing well against the gasket. If not, replace your gasket promptly. Look for a wood stove door kit at your local fireplace dealer.
Clean the glass door to maintain a clear, safe view.
Check the baffle and firebricks for wear and cracks. They will not need replacing every year, but will certainly need to be checked and any changes noted.
The chimney and stove pipes should be checked for blockage and any creosote build up needs to be cleared away. Be sure to hire a certified professional.
Wood stove annual maintenance is necessary for to get the maximum enjoyment and safety from your stove. Fireplace Village provides wood stove maintenance service in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
March 5, 2010
For a clean and safe way to transport ash, look for a stylish ash bucket. This handy tool has an important job, so choose wisely.
Your ash cannot be transported in just any bucket. It needs to be a non-flammable material (such as stainless steel). A lid will also keep flying ash in and curious hands out.
Fill your ash bucket using a flat shovel and attach the lid. Carry the bucket away from the hearth, preferably outside of the house and far from flammables like wood decks, siding or fences. Some people put water in the bucket as well to moisten and dampen the ash, deterring any sparks from lighting up.
Choose an ash bucket that suits your hearth and other accessories. Then use this valuable tool to help with regular wood stove and fireplace maintenance. Fireplace Vilage carries a wide selection of fireplace accessories in our New Hampshire locations and have fireplace accessories available for purchase online.
March 4, 2010
There are two excellent ways to save money when upgrading to a new EPA certified wood stove:
1. Wood Stove Changeout Programs
Check for Wood Stove Change Out Programs that are available in your area. Wood Stove Changeout Programs generally work this way; if you purchase a EPA certified wood stove when replacing an uncertified wood stove you may qualify for a voucher for up to $1,000 that can be used for purchasing the new stove. Some changeout programs can be used for wood, pellet and gas stoves.
Fireplace Village is currently participating in the Keene, New Hampshire Wood Stove Changeout Program. The Keene, NH wood stove program is a verygood value for residents of Keene. The changeout provides for $1,000 certificates and can used for certain wood, gas and pellet stoves. As of today, there is still ample funding available in the program. This is a joint program between the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, the Environmental Protection Agency and Keene, NH. This is the first program ever in the state of New Hampshire.
There are a number of active Wood Stove Changeout Programs throughout the country, including California, Michigan, Ohio and Vermont, among others. To check your area click here.
2. Federal Tax Credit – 30% Biomass Tax Credit
On June 1, 2009, The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued its guidance for the 30% consumer tax credit (up to $1,500) on the purchase and installation of “qualified energy property”. This legislation is effective immediately, and is retroactive to any eligible wood stove, fireplace insert, pellet insert or pellet stove purchased since January 1, 2009. We believe most, if not all of wood stoves, fireplace inserts, pellet stoves and pellet inserts sold by Fireplace Village qualify for the credit. A manufacturer’s certificate of eligibility is required by the IRS, and must be retained by the taxpayer.
Additional information is available on the following website: http://www.irs.gov/
March 3, 2010
Since 1988, wood stoves have been regulated by the EPA and local agencies. Modern wood stoves emit a fraction of the particulate matter than older, non certified or non functioning catalytic stoves. Wood heat is the most basic renewable, carbon neutral energy source available.
Here are some things to consider regarding firewood:
• Trees are the only abundant, biodegradable and renewable global resource. Other “bio fuels” require high energy processing, transportation and packaging.
• When a tree rots naturally or burns, the carbon contained in the wood is released back to the atmosphere. There is no additional carbon released from burning than from rotting.
• Trees are the most powerful concentrators of carbon on Earth. Through photosynthesis, they absorb CO2 from the atmosphere and store it in their wood. Although old trees contain huge amounts of carbon, their rate of sequestration has slowed to a near halt. A young tree, although it contains little fixed carbon, pulls CO2 from the atmosphere at a much faster rate. Young forests outperform old growth in carbon sequestration.
• North Americans are the world’s largest per‐capita wood consumers and yet our forests cover approximately the same area of land as they did 100 years ago. According to the United Nations, North American forests have expanded nearly 100 million acres over the past decade.
• To address climate change, we must use more wood, not less. Using wood sends a signal to the marketplace to grow more trees and to produce more wood. That means we can then use less concrete, steel and plastic — heavy carbon emitters through their production.
• As long as modern, efficient wood stoves are used correctly with seasoned, dry wood and hot fires wood heat shouldn’t create problems for healthy people.
Wood stoves are efficient: Contrary to the obligatory (not confirmed) efficiency numbers required by the EPA on each certified wood stove, many of the wood stoves that Fireplace Village sells are actually up to 80% efficient as tested to DIN Standards.
This information is provided courtesy of the Alliance for Green Heat.
The U.S. Senate released a draft version of the Home Star program, known as Cash for Caulkers, that includes high efficiency wood and pellet stoves. To be eligible for the $1,000 rebate, stoves need to be 75% efficient, be third party tested and meet several other requirements.
The Home Star program sets a strict standard, as it does with other appliances, by only allowing the cleanest and most efficient wood and pellet stoves to qualify.
The EPA has never required efficiency testing for wood stoves, their emissions standards have not been updated in more than 20 years and they have not set up an Energy Star program for wood stoves. The EPA allows up to 7.5 grams of particulates per hour, but engineers today are making stoves that emit as little as 1 gram per hour. Home Star requires 4.5 or lower.
The following is a summary of key provisions in the Home Star program as released by the US Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. To see the full text of the Draft bill click here.
Rebate
The rebate is for 50% of purchase and installation costs up to $1,000. Sec. 2104(d)(1). The rebate will be immediate if its from an approved store (an “aggregator’).
Start date
Once the bill is passed into law, which could happen in March 2010, the DOE is supposed to finalize all details within 30 days. Potentially, homes could start participating in May 2010. Sec. 2102 (e).
Efficiency and emissions requirements
Wood and pellet stoves need to be 75% efficient and meet the Washington state standards of emitting no more than 4.5 grams of particulates per hour. Boilers, including boilers, must be 80% efficient. Sec 2104(b)(8)(A)(v)(II).
Third party testing
Unlike the federal tax credit, which allowed manufactures to certify that their products are 75% efficient, this program requires third party certification. Sec 2104(b)(8)(A)(v). We believe that this will mean that the appliances has been tested by one of the five EPA accredited wood stove testing facilities in North America, or a similar institution based in Europe. It is expected that the existing data that testing facilities have from emissions testing can be used to calculate efficiency, so that stoves do not need to be tested again. The testing facilities will have to submit this data to DOE or whoever is designated by DOE to determine what appliances meet the threshold. For a list of accredited facilities in North America click here.
75% of home’s heating needs
The wood or pellet stove must be able to meet 75% of the heating demands of a home. This means that the program will favor larger stoves – and smaller homes. From what we understand, the “qualified contractor” makes that determination. This presumable means 75% of average annual heating needs, not the ability to heat 75% at any particular time.
Heat distribution system
The stove must have “a distribution system (such as ducts of vents) that allows heat to reach all or most parts of the home.” Sec 2104(b)(8)(A)(v)(I)(bb) Since the stove must be able to meet 75% of the heating demands of a home, it is expected that this means that unless the home is very small and the stove can heat all or most of the home from where it is placed, some distribution system will be required. If the upstairs is small, a simple vent in the ceiling of the room where the stove is located may suffice. Or, in a smaller one-story house, door frame fans may suffice. If the home already has a forced air furnace, the fan function using the existing ductwork to distribute warm air throughout the house may suffice.
Replacement requirement
To purchase a wood stove and receive the rebate, you have to replace an existing wood stove. However, there is no replacement requirement if you are buying a pellet stove, or a wood furnace. The existing stove does not have to be a pre-1988 EPA certified stove.
Installation
The stove must be installed by a “qualified contractor” who meets certain standards included being licensed, bonded and will warranty their work is free of defects. Sec. 2101(17).
Principal residence
The program only covers existing principal residences that are in the US. New construction is not covered.
Combining the rebate and federal 30% tax credit
The federal 30% tax credit, up to $1,500, also applies through the end of 2010. (It could be extended beyond then.) Thus, if a stove and installation came to $3,500, the rebate would be $1,000 on the spot, and you would get a credit for 30% of the $2,500 that you are out-of-pocket, which would be $750. Your final cost would be $1,750, exactly half of the original price.
When you smell a strange odor, the carbon monoxide detector goes off or your family becomes ill from a leakage, you should immediately contact the professionals at Fireplace Village. Your gas fireplace needs service.
A trained professional will look at the gas lines and connections, as well as test the gas fireplace for proper working order and efficiency. The vents will be inspected and any repairs or service will be done promptly and completely. Most manufacturers recommend that gas fireplaces be inspected annually. Fireplace Village recommends annual gas fireplace service.
For annual inspections of your gas fireplace or for emergency and regular service, contact Fireplace Village and let them take care of you. Your gas fireplace will be in good hands.
March 2, 2010
For the quickest, easiest way to start your wood burning fire without the mess of kindling and paper, rely on Fatwood Firestarters. The compact sticks are placed into the firebox just like kindling and will get the flames burning fast.
The clean that comes from Fatwood Firestarter is two-fold. The danger and mess of paper and kindling ash is eliminated with the product. Also, the mess of storing traditional firestarters is a thing of the past.
With a bag, a box or a bundle of Fatwood Firestarters your hearth will be aflame in a quick, clean and easy way. Pick up Fatwood at any Fireplace Village New Hampshire location or buy Fatwood online.
 
Regular maintenance means you need to clean the glass doors or face on your fireplace or wood stove. But don’t try to use regular glass cleaners or your work will be wasted. Look for a specially formulated fireplace glass cleaner to do the job right.
Fireplace glass cleaners are designed to effectively remove creosote and soot build up. They’re non-acidic and safe to use in your home. Some leave a conditioner behind that helps to reduce further build up.
Spray on the formula and use a soft cloth to wipe down the glass – which is actually transparent ceramic or tempered glass.
You’ll be able to enjoy your fire much more through clean, clear glass and your fireplace or wood stove will be operating at optimum safety.
All of the high quality fireplace and wood stove cleaners that Fireplace Village sells are Made in the USA.
One of the common wood stove maintenance tasks is repairing or upgrading the door. When the seal is off, it makes the wood stove inefficient and needs to be fixed.
You may find that while removing the gasket you will need to unhinge the door. During the procedure it may become obvious that an all new door will be a simpler, easy fix.
Record your wood stove model and visit the local wood stove dealer. They should be able to fit you with replacement doors, gaskets and whatever else your wood stove may need.
With a new door and improved air sealing, your wood stove will be back up to full efficiency in no time.
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