Wood burning fireplace insert, Jotul Kennebec, and stainless steel chimney liner installed in Bedford, NH.
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February 8, 2011February 9, 2010Examining Why Fireplace Inserts are Energy Efficient
While the atmosphere and aroma are second to none, a traditional wood burning fireplace can be much more energy efficient once a fireplace insert is installed. Fireplace inserts fit into your existing fireplace, either mounted flush with the hearth or at times extending out slightly. Inserts often include upgraded stone or tile finishes, cast iron features and glass doors. They are extremely attractive and complete the look of even the more barren of fireplaces. Besides the aesthetics, fireplace inserts add energy efficiency to your heating system, whether it’s wood, pellet burning or utilizes natural gas. Inserts have tight fitting doors and feature air circulation systems built right in. They ensure that the majority of heat generated from the flames is not lost up into the chimney and produce the most efficient burn using controlled damper systems. Fireplace inserts also gather combustion air from outside of your home. The combustion efficiency of an insert depends on whether wood, pellets or natural gas are burned. Regardless, the construction of an insert improves the efficiency significantly when compared to a traditional fireplace. Another benefit of fireplace inserts is the inclusion of a built in fan. Fans don’t affect the combustion efficiency, but they do distribute the heat into your home well, sometimes from 50 to 75% better than without an insert. If your fireplace is in a small room a fan may not be necessary, but a fireplace insert and fan can heat a large area very comfortably. Fireplace inserts come in either single or double-walled construction. Double-walled is more efficient because of the way that heated air is distributed through and around the insert. This type is more common and safer than single-walled, which pulls air from the room into the fireplace, up along the back and then back out the top. Be sure that your fireplace insert is connected to the existing chimney system. The NFPA (National Fire Prevention Association) and many building codes require a direct connection between the fireplace insert and the flue liner to prevent creosote build up. Always have your existing fireplace inspected by a licensed professional who will determine whether an insert is suitable and which type would be best. Professionals can make sure that all of the elements work together to produce maximum efficiency. A certified chimney sweep should also clean the existing chimney in preparation for an insert. Continue to enjoy the look and feel of your existing fireplace with an energy efficient and convenient fireplace insert installed right in. Your home will be warmer and produce fewer emissions – making your family feel better all around. 
January 28, 2010Why Fireplace Inserts are Popular
A fireplace insert is a metal fireplace made to fit inside an existing masonry fireplace. Because of the double walls around the fire box, warm air is trapped and circulated around the room; making fire place inserts an extremely efficient and economical solution to any old masonry fireplace. Fireplace inserts can heat most, if not all of a house because of their efficacy. Older masonry fireplaces are an inefficient way to heat a home, as much of the heated air goes right back up the chimney, and the head cannot be felt unless right in front of the fireplace. Fireplace inserts transform existing fireplaces into a great way to heat a room or a home. Fireplace inserts are available in a variety of fuel options, including gas and pellet. One reason many people opt for a fireplace insert is to switch their fuel from wood burning to gas burning. If tired of splitting, hauling or storing wood, or worried about sparks and dirt around the fireplace, a gas fueled fireplace insert might be right for you. Gas fueled fireplaces often come with great accessories such as a remote control, to raise or lower the intensity of the flame from anywhere in the room. For those who enjoy the natural feel and sounds associated with wood burning, a traditional wood burning insert is a great way to update an old fireplace. Because of great accessories, such as a blower, wood burning fireplace inserts are extremely efficient. A blower is attached to the fireplace insert and circulates warm air around the room. The best part of a blower is that it uses no electricity, which means in the event of a power outage the fireplace insert will continue to provide light and heat in the home. Wood burning fireplace inserts also come with glass doors, which keep the fire contained and safe in the presence of children or animals. These doors prevent ash and sparks from flying into the room and keep the area surrounding the fireplace insert clean. Be it gas, or wood burning, fireplace inserts can transform the use of an existing fireplace. Fireplace inserts are extremely customizable, and can fit with almost any existing decor. Paint that can withstand high temperatures allows for fireplace inserts to be customized to the room. Inserts also come in a variety of metal finishes, and can be inserted flush with the fireplace, curved models are also available. Fireplace Village carries a wide variety of wood burning, gas and wood pellet fireplace inserts. Please visit us online or one of our New Hampshire locations.
January 20, 2010Retrofit your old fireplace with a Fireplace Insert
Fireplace inserts are a fantastic way to increase the efficiency of your old masonry fireplace. Fireplace inserts are made up of a fire box which is surrounded by a steel shell, which sits inside of an existing fireplace. Air from the room then moves into the space between the steel shell and the firebox and is circulated around the room. Because this air cannot escape up the chimney it is one of the most efficient ways of heating a room. When choosing a fireplace insert the first decision to make is which kind of fuel you are choosing to use. If natural gas is an option for your home there are many gas burning fireplace inserts available. There is a wide variety of gas log types and many come with realistic looking glowing embers, for the wood burning fireplace feel. If looking to get away from wood burning, and natural gas is not an option, there are always pellet burning fireplace inserts which are a very efficient way of updating an old wood burning fireplace. Pellets are made from compressed saw dust from wood mills, burning recycled byproducts is a great idea instead of burning non-renewable fuel sources. Most masonry wood burning fireplaces are extremely inefficient. By installing a wood burning fireplace insert you can update the look of an old fireplace. The space between an existing masonry fireplace and the fireplace insert is covered by a faceplate, which come in a variety of decors to fit any room. Despite the fuel type there are other accessories which can be added onto a fireplace insert to make it more attractive or more efficient. Glass doors can be added as a way to enjoy the look of the fire without over heating the room. These need to be cleaned often, however, as they get covered in soot and can be very unattractive. A blower can also be added, which takes the heated air from the fireplace insert and disperses it around the room. These are extremely cost efficient and a great addition to any fireplace insert. Once the fuel type is decided it is time to chose the model. There are many existing conditions that need to be taken into consideration. In order to determine the size and type of fireplace insert, it is important to measure the existing fireplace, and examine the damper opening. It is a good idea to have a chimney sweep come in to examine the fireplace and determine it safe to put in a fireplace insert. Many times the inside of the chimney needs to be relined. To install the fireplace insert it is advised that a professional come in to complete the job. Fireplace inserts are not only extremely heavy, but also need to be installed perfectly to prevent risk of fire, carbon monoxide poisoning and damage to the existing fireplace. Fireplace Village is the largest fireplace insert store in New Hampshire and New England. We carry a wide selection of wood burning, gas and pellet fireplace inserts. Fireplace Village installs fireplace inserts and chimney liners. Stop by one of our New Hampshire locations to view our burning fireplace insert displays or buy Napoleon fireplace inserts online.
January 4, 2010Fireplace Inserts; Fuel Options
Fireplace inserts are commonly used to update wood burning fireplaces, but they can be used with an array of fuel options, including wood, pellet, natural gas and propane. Fireplace inserts significantly increase the efficiency of a wood burning fireplace and are environmentally friendly. Fireplace inserts are made up of a metal box which sits inside your existing wood burning fireplace. It is then vented to the outside, making it an efficient way to heat a room. The beauty of installing a fireplace insert is that it gives the homeowner a chance to change the way the fireplace is fueled. If the house already has a gas line a natural gas or propane burning fireplace insert can be easily installed. A pellet burning insert is also just as easily installed. Fireplace Village is the largest fireplace stove insert retailer in New Hampshire and New England. We are an authorized dealer for many leading fireplace inserts from manufacturers such as Jotul, Hearthstone and Vermont Castings. Stop by one of our New Hampshire locations to view our extensive wood, gas and pellet fired insert displays or visit us online.
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