Do you have a traditional, open-hearth fireplace? If so, you’re not reaping all the home-heating benefits you could be from your fireplace space. When you choose to fill your open-hearth fireplace with a fireplace insert — whether it is wood, pellet or gas fueled — you will realize a host of benefits.
Lower your home heating bills.
Traditional open-hearth fireplace sends 90 percent of a fire’s heat up and out of the chimney, meaning only about 10 percent of the fire’s energy is helping to heat your home. Fireplace inserts are significantly more powerful. The fires burn hotter, and the fans and vents help to return anywhere from 50 to 99 percent of the fire’s heat to your home. Depending on your home’s layout, the height of your ceilings, the effectiveness of your home’s insulation and the fireplace insert you choose, you could save up to 40 percent on your winter heating bills.
Increase convenience.
A lot of work can go into building and tending a wood fire, and into keeping it burning. If your fireplace largely sits unused because you don’t have the patience to stack and haul wood, build and tend a fire, and continually add logs to keep your fireplace burning, a pellet or gas insert could help you enjoy your fireplace more. Pellet inserts include a system that automatically feeds the compressed wood pellets from a hopper into the fireplace. One hopper full of pellets, which can be purchased in 40-pound bags at most home improvement or big-box stores, can fuel a fire for up to 24 hours. That allows the stove to continually heat your home without the need for tending, keeping your fire at a constant temperature while you’re at work, running errands or sleeping. A gas fireplace insert provides even more convenience: With the flip of a switch or the press of a button, you can enjoy a roaring fire. Gas inserts often can be fitted to a thermostat, so they, too, can help to maintain a constant temperature in your home.
Upgrade the look of your fireplace.
If the look of your fireplace is outdated or if the firebox is in disrepair, a fireplace insert can provide the perfect fix. A fireplace insert can quickly upgrade the look of your fireplace to give you a hearth that adds to the ambiance and aesthetics of your home. Fireplace inserts come in a variety of attractive styles, from tradition to rustic to contemporary. You’re sure to find an insert that fits your taste and the style of your home.
If you’re considering a fireplace insert, call the fireplace experts at Environmental Chimney Service. We can show you your options, talk to you more about the benefits and help you choose the insert that is right for your home and your home-heating needs. By exploring a fireplace insert now, you can have your new insert installed and ready to be enjoyed next fall!