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I WANT TO IMPROVE THE HEATING EFFICIENCY OF MY FIREPLACE
INSERTS
These products go into an existing wood burning fireplace.
Gas Burning Fireplace Inserts
Direct vent gas inserts utilize the technology of today's direct vent gas fireplaces. These air-tight units slide into your fireplace, have the same terrific looking logs and glowing embers, can be manually or thermostatically controlled with a remote, and are highly energy-efficient, capable of producing up to 40,000 Btu per hour and can heat an area of almost 2000 square feet. Direct vent gas inserts can operate on either Natural gas or Propane (LP) Gas. (See The LP Club for affordable LP gas).
Obviously, the appeal of direct vent gas inserts is that they require no work for the homeowner to operate and virtually no homeowner maintenance as well. With today's busy lifestyles and work schedules, being able to save money on heating bills by doing nothing more than pressing a button on a remote is pretty appealing. Direct vent gas inserts typically require a vent kit, which includes two 3" liners (one for exhaust and one for fresh air supply).
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Wood Burning Fireplace Inserts
Most of today's wood burning inserts are basically wood stoves that are specifically designed to fit into your fireplace. In the past, people would put a wood stove in front of their fireplace and figure out a way to run a section of chimney from the stove into the fireplace. There were a few problems with this (often they didn't draft very well and they took up a lot of room in front of the fireplace), but because these older stoves threw heat from all sides, it was a great way to heat a large area.
Today's wood burning inserts are designed to fit almost entirely into the fireplace and are well insulated on the back and sides, forcing the heat out into the room (radiant heat). They usually come with fans (also called blowers), to blow the heat further throughout the area (convective heat). Models come in various sizes and heat outputs (usually relative to the size of the firebox and how much wood it can hold), and in both steel and cast iron construction in a variety of colors and styles. Many of our wood burning insert customers say they use little or no oil to heat their homes since they put in our wood burning inserts. Wood inserts typically require a 6" stainless steel liner kit for venting.
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Pellet Burning Fireplace Inserts
Many people think pellet burning inserts are simpler to operate and more convenient than other wood-burning appliances. These inserts burn wood pellets (compressed wood & wood bi-products that come in 40lb. bags), and rely on sophisticated computers and circuit boards to determine how much pellet fuel should be burned. Most models have several burn settings and some use thermostats to control the fire. They also use a forced-air system to distribute heat. Pellet-burning appliances are highly efficient and pollute very little. Depending on the model, they may produce between 10,000 and 60,000 Btu per hour. To refuel, you simply pour the pellets into a hopper, which holds between 35 and 55 pounds of pellets. A corkscrew-shaped device called an auger then transfers pellets to the fire chamber.
Operating a pellet insert is usually convenient, neat and safe. Pellet-burning appliances also use several internal fans, which require about 100 KWH of electricity each month. The need for electricity will add to your total energy bill and will also prevent you from using your insert if the power goes out (unless your appliance has a battery pack). Pellet stoves have many moving parts and therefore require regular service and cleaning in order to function properly. Pellet inserts typically require a 4" stainless steel liner kit for venting.
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GAS LOGS
When you shop for gas logs you'll find there are two basic types: gas logs that vent to the outside just like a wood burning fireplace and gas logs that are not vented at all.
Vented Gas Logs
Vented gas logs have been around for over 50 years. Because they are generally not clean burning, they must be installed in a functioning masonry or pre-fabricated fireplace and usually the damper must be clamped in the fully open position. Vented gas logs are not intended to be installed for heating purposes (although some models do produce some heat), but rather as a convenience for someone who wants a fire but doesn't want to burn wood. There are a huge variety of log styles available.
Most manufacturers offer at least three sizes: 18", 24" and 30". Typically, these models range from 30,000 to over 100,000 Btu burned per hour.
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Vent-Free Gas Logs
Vent-Free gas logs have been available in the United States for over twenty years (much longer overseas), and have grown more popular recently due to their heating capabilities. Because they burn at an amazing 99.96% efficiency, vent-free gas logs can be operated with the damper closed (for heat), or open (for atmosphere). Like vented logs, they are generally available in 18", 24" or 30" sizes, but unlike vented gas logs, they are not yet available in quite as many styles and they are restricted to a maximum of 40,000 Btu.
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GLASS FIREPLACE DOORS
How do you keep from losing all your heat up the chimney after a fire? Install glass doors! If you are just making a few fires a year (Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter), you probably don't need glass doors. But for those of you who make fires regularly (like me and Mrs. Papa), you should install a set. Why?
When you get your fire going, you're getting at least some heat into the room. (Although it sometimes feels colder in other rooms or by the floor).But when you stop putting wood on the fire and the fire starts to die down, you're loosing a lot more heat up the chimney than the fire is giving you back. You can't close the damper or your house will fill with smoke, so without glass doors, you're loosing a lot of heat up the chimney. If you have glass doors, you can close them and save your heat!
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