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Tips For Keeping Your Electric Fireplace Clean & Functional

electric fireplace

Electric fireplaces are popular because of their convenience and low-maintenance design. They offer a lot of comfort for homeowners who want the aesthetic appeal and heat of a fireplace without worrying about monitoring gas or cleaning a traditional fireplace. However, there are still a few essential elements of electric fireplaces that need attention and certain maintenance from time to time.

Changing Bulbs in The Fireplace

Electric fireplaces won’t become covered in residue or have build-up inside the firebox, but light bulbs will deteriorate eventually. If your fires are not very bright anymore or are dimming fast, you should consider replacing the bulbs. Luckily, this is an easy process for most. First, it is essential to turn off the fireplace to let it sit and cool off before doing anything with it. It is common for electric fireplaces to have detachable maintenance panels on the back, but you may need to take some screws to reach the bulbs. Check your unit’s manual to decide what bulb will be good replacement. If you need halogen bulbs, make sure to on handle them while wearing gloves. The oils that come from your skin can cause halogen bulbs to wear out faster than usual. LED bulbs are used in some fireplaces, and you don’t have to replace them within the fireplace’s lifespan.

Cleaning the Glass Door

The glass panel on the front of the fireplace is the most crucial aesthetic element of your fireplace. To make sure it is clean and shows off the style of your fireplace, clean it with soap and water on a lint-free cloth. You just have to gently wipe and buff the exterior of the glass and make sure that it is completely dry to avoid and water spots to dry. Make sure you don’t use glass cleaners or any other cleaners with harsh chemicals because they can end up being flammable and aren’t meant for fireplaces.

Cleaning the Fan in Your Fireplace

The fan in your fireplace is essential to providing heat in the room it’s in. To figure out if your fan needs to be cleaned you should check its spin pattern. Fans should spin smoothly with no resistance. If you want to wash your fan, a vacuum with a thin nozzle accessory is the best choice. Take off the grille covering and brush and vacuum off any dust you can see on the fan’s blades.

Contact Us

The experts at New England Hearth & Home can help you find the perfect fireplace to fit your home and style. We are proud to offer a wide variety of electric fireplaces in Canton, MA. Contact us to learn more about our products! Give us a call or fill out our contact form for more information.

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Preparing Your Fireplace For Fall

feet next to a fireplace

It’s about to be Fall in a month! Heaters across Massachusetts will be turned on for the season, and fireplaces will be full of spark and light. Along with the rest of your essential winter items, fireplaces should be prepped and ready for the season. Here are four easy steps to prepare your fireplace for Fall weather:

Remove Debris and Ash

The first step is to clean out any ash and any other debris out of the fireplace. Remove the log grate and completely clean it as well. It isn’t something you’re going to want to do, but it will help you to start the season with a beautiful, clean space.

Check The Firebrick

Search the fireplace for any cracked or loose firebrick and repair anything that needs it. To fix them, take the loose mortar out with a scoring tool and clean it with a vacuum or brush. After that, brush water into the brick joints.

Check The Chimney and Flue

Check your chimney and flue for any obstructions – leaves, sticks, etc, and remove them. Professionals recommend that you have a chimney inspected every year by a certified chimney sweep to figure out if there is a large amount of creosote buildup. If a layer of over 1/8 has built up, it should be removed to lessen the chance of a chimney fire. 

Get Rid Of Extra Moisture

Start a small fire to dry out and get rid of any extra moisture, which can make the firebrick become damaged or form creosote, along with other damages to the fireplace. If you think that your fireplace has a lot of moisture or if you are planning on using a brand new new fireplace, do these steps to help dry it out:

  • Get two logs and use only 1/3 of one log
  • Wait between 2-4 days and then use the remainder of that log
  • Wait between another 2-4 days and use the whole second log
  • Give it another few days, and the fireplace will be ready to use

After all of these steps, you’ll be all set to use your fireplace all fall and winter long. Make sure you use dry and seasoned wood (wood that should be cut and dried for about 6-12 months) to burn and to remember to clean out the ash regularly. You should clean it when the ash gets to the bottom of the fireplace grate.

Contact New England Hearth & Home

New England Hearth & Home can help you get ready for Fall. Whether you are looking to get a new fireplace installed, or need help getting your existing one ready for the season, we can be here for you! Give us a call at 781-562-0771 for more information.

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Choosing Between a Charcoal or Gas Grill

grill with flames

While there’s no right or wrong way to cook your food, there are certain reasons to choose either a gas or a charcoal grill depending on your preference. Before you stop by your local hearth and home store, you should consider a few things about each type of grill when purchasing your next one.

Benefits to Using a Gas Grill

A significant benefits of a gas grill is that there is no need to wait for the charcoal to ignite. A lot of people who use gas grills like them for convenience reasons. It is ready to be used right after you turn it on, so it’s great for some quick grilling. As well as the efficiency of using a gas grill, here are some other benefits of gas grills:

  • Gas is usually a cheaper option than charcoal
  • Gas grills are easier to clean than charcoal grills
  • Gas grills can be hooked up to the gas line in your home 
  • Some gas grills come with extras which can include burners or a smoke box. 
  • Gas grills give off steam and it can give off good moisture to the meat you are cooking

Gas grills are very easy and simple grills to be able to use. Some gas grills are produced to use both gas and charcoal so that you can switch between the two depending on what you’re feeling that day. Just remember these grills are usually on the more expensive side. 

Benefits of Using Charcoal Grills

Charcoal grills are a lot less expensive than gas grills are. Charcoal grills can be as cheap as under $100 if you get a standard model. Besides the cost, here are some more advantages to buying a charcoal grill:

  • Heated coals will cook your food without using much of a flame
  • Charcoal grills are a more portable than gas grills. This makes them great for camping trips or weekend getaways where you want to do some grilling.
  • Charcoal can become hotter than gas
  • You can’t turn the heat down on a charcoal grill, but you can leave some areas without the briquettes in order to control the heat
  • Many people like the smokey flavor a charcoal grill gives their grilled food, so they are a popular option for those who do.

Contact Us

New England Hearth & Home can help you choose a grill that is the right fit for you! Contact us to learn more about our grill options and our professionals can help you choose the right one. Give us a call or fill out our contact form for more information.

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Benefits of Adding Awnings to Your Home

awning

Awnings are coverings you can add to your home to go over windows or doors. Are they worth it for your home? They are great for added style and protection from the elements. Check out some reasons why you should consider this investment:

Avoiding Water Damage

Awnings can protect your home’s exterior. This includes doors, windows, window sills, and more. Especially with windows, awnings can stop rain from leaking into the windows.

Save on the AC Bill

Having awnings installed over windows can greatly decrease your home’s energy costs during the summer and warm months. The air conditioning won’t have to be on as much. Window awnings give enough shade to your windows to stop a great heat from seeping through the windows. Also consider ventilated awnings/ They are ideal because they block heat from being trapped around the outside of your windows.

Preserve interior furnishings

Having awnings installed over your windows can keep your furniture’s coloring lasting longer. They provide shade so direct sunlight won’t be hitting your couches or carpets.  

Protect the environment

Having awnings can help you protect the environment. You’ll be saving energy and saving money each month. Utilizing less energy can help you be a part in helping global warming because you’ll use less greenhouse gases.

Increasing your home’s value

Exterior awnings can help increase your home’s value in three ways. This includes strengthening your curb appeal. Having awnings can make a homebuyer interested. Another is more outdoor living space because an awning installed over a patio or deck can make it more usable as the summer heat and sun sets in. The last is energy efficiency. Homebuyers will usually place a higher price on homes with superior energy efficiency. Since window and door awnings enable you to use less energy, buyers will notice your house as being more marketable than one that doesn’t provide the same kind of energy efficiency.

Talk to an expert

Before choosing a suitable awning for your home, consider your professional choices because of the array of features and styles. An awning professional can help you choose the right awning that fits your budget and demands. With so many varying styles out there, it’s good to get an opinion from a professional when choosing the one that best fits your house’s architectural style.

Contact New England Hearth & Home

Along with fireplaces and other hearth options,  we are proud to offer awnings. Contact New England Hearth & Home so we can help you choose the right awnings for you and your needs! Give us a call at 781-562-0071 or fill out our contact form for more information.