It’s officially winter, and that means it’s peak fireplace season! If you don’t have much experience using your fireplace yet, don’t fear! We’ve put together a mini guide on how to get the most out of your fireplace this season, and also stay safe while you do it! Your fireplace is a great way to stay cozy all winter, so keep reading and learn how to become a master fire keeper!

Close The Chimney Flue When You’re Done

Make sure once the fire is out that you close your flue to avoid any cold air coming into your home, or letting out the warm air you just produced with your fire.

Pre-Chop Your Firewood

Dry wood burns the best, so it’s always best to chop as much firewood ahead of time and store it in a warm and dry place so it’s ready to burn at a moments notice. Always make sure that your firewood is stacked away from any flammable materials, and at least 2 1/2 feet high. The best way to do this is to use a firewood rack or start stacking them in between walls.

Clean it Regularly

While you probably had your fireplace cleaned at the beginning of the season, it isn’t a one time thing! Make sure after every few fires you take a look at your flue to make sure there isn’t any soot or creosote building up which can be a hazard to you or your chimney.

Watch Your Fires Closely

As your fires burn, please don’t leave them unattended, even if they are small and you’re letting them die out. You never know what nearby items might fly into the fire and cause it to flare up.

Have The Right Tools on Hand

Make sure you have access to all the right fireplace tools, such as pokers, shovels, tongs and brooms. Again, having these tools readily available is crucial in case you need to clear out your fireplace or chimney (or perform some other maintenance on them). If you don’t have the right tool for the task at-hand, then you could risk causing additional damage to your chimney and/or fireplace. There are also times when it may be safer just to let a fire burn itself out.

 

Contact New England Hearth & Home

If you’re thinking about adding a fireplace to your home this season, please get in touch with our team of experts. We can guide you through the process of picking out the perfect fireplace for you and your home, including our selection of electric, gas and traditional fireplaces. Give us a call at (781)562-0771 or contact us here for more information.

While it might not seem like the most practical way to heat your home today, installing an electric fireplace actually can help keep your heating bills low during the cold winter months. An electric fireplace not only creates a special warm, cozy atmosphere in your home, but it also gives you the benefit of being able to turn down your regular furnace without depriving you of the ambiance or visual focal point of a fire.

How Electric Fireplaces Lower Utility Bills

There are a few ways that electric fireplaces can help you lower your utility bills. One of the main factors here is that you don’t have to heat your entire home with your fireplace insert- you can be much more selective and just heat the common areas while lowering the general temperature on your house-wide heating system by a few degrees. This is great to do throughout the day when house members are mostly in the common space, or even at night too when everyone is in their beds under the covers.

Electric Fireplace Vs Traditional Fireplace

Another benefit is that with an electric fireplace, you don’t have to use as much heating fuel since it’s a more effective way to heat a room. It does a very good job of warming up a home without taking as much energy from your regular heating system. If you do decide to install a wood-burning fireplace later on, remember that it will take more energy to maintain the temperature in your house and you’ll also be dealing with the hassle of chopping logs and hauling them around.

Why Fireplace Inserts Are The Best Choice

Electric fireplaces are great because they come in so many different styles and designs that can fit into almost any space or décor. You can find electric fireplaces that look just like real wood burning fireplaces, or you can find beautifully designed fireplaces that offer a much more modern and sleek look.

What about gas fireplaces?

Gas fireplaces produce heat that results in higher utility bills than those due to electric fireplaces or wood-burning stoves. A gas fireplace produces heated air that is blown into the room with fans attached to the unit. These forced drafts increase heating costs and source another indoor air pollution problem besides carbon monoxide poisoning. Newer models eliminate these draft problems by introducing sealed combustion technology so they burn cleaner with cleaner air.

Where Should I Put My Electric Fireplace?

To get the most out of your electric fireplace, place it in a room that you will be using often, especially if you live in the north east where we get a lot of snow. For more tips on how to get the most out of your electric fireplace, or for advice on how to install one, give us a call at (781)562-0771 or contact us here for a free quote on a brand new fireplace.