Electric fireplaces have become a more and more popular choice among homeowners in the past few years. They provide several benefits that differentiate them from gas or wood-burning fireplaces. Keep reading to learn more!

No Smoke

Although some people like the crackling of a wood burning fireplace, along with that comes an undesirable amount of smoke in your home. Inhaling these fumes that are released from your wood fireplace can be dangerous to your family and pets, especially those with allergies or asthma. Aside from the discomfort, it can bring, the smoke smell can last for days in your home on clothing, furniture, carpets, etc. Switching to an electric fireplace completely eliminates any emissions. They burn smoke-free, while still providing warmth and beauty in your home.

Energy Efficient

Aside from aesthetic purposes, the main reason people want a fireplace is for the heat. Electric fireplaces are among the most efficient ways to heat a room, which can help you save money in energy costs. They heat a room faster than wood-burning fireplaces, where much heat is lost through the chimney.  Electric fireplaces heat the room efficiently, using LED technology, which consumes much less energy than incandescent bulbs.

Low Maintenance

With a wood-burning fireplace, you have to go out and collect firewood, start the fire and continually add wood throughout the duration of the fire, clean up the ash and soot afterward, clean the chimney, etc. Who really wants to go through all that work, when you can start your fire with the push of a button on the remote from your comfy seat on the couch? Electric fireplaces require minimal effort and maintenance, making them a very popular choice.

Easy Installation

One of the greatest advantages of an electric fireplace is its ease of installation. It simply needs to be plugged in and is ready to burn. There are no considerations of a chimney or gas lines, so anyone can enjoy an electric fireplace, even in apartments or small condos. This also gives you plenty of design options, as it can be mounted on a wall or built-in, depending on where you put it.

Contact New England Hearth & Home

Interested in getting an electric fireplace for your home, condo, apartment, or office? New England Hearth & Home has a great selection. Stop by our showroom in Canton or give us a call today at 781-562-0771 to learn more!

Gas fireplaces are popular among homeowners, who see them as a low cost, low-maintenance alternative to traditional firewood. In fact, according to Angie’s List, 60% of homebuyers believe that a fireplace makes a potential home more attractive. While gas fireplaces certainly serve as a cozy home amenity, it’s a mistake to assume that they don’t require routine upkeep as well as an annual inspection. Here’s what you need to know.

Malfunctions Happen

Homeowners switching over from wood to gas fireplaces may not be familiar with the potential problems associated with them, if not maintained properly. Once you’ve had your gas fireplace for a few years, valves can begin leaking, connections can pull loose, and the thermopile on the logs–the probe that converts heat to electricity–can become worn out. Failing to address these issues can have potentially dangerous results, such as hazardous fires, or even explosions. An annual inspection can address these maintenance issues and provide a solution before they become serious.

Debris Can Become an Obstruction

When the airflow is restricted in a gas fireplace, you might notice a bad smell. Or worse, you might not notice at all–and could fall victim to carbon monoxide poisoning. How does this happen? Over the years, debris can accumulate in passageways, blocking ports and vents, and proper airflow can become restricted. Although natural gas is a clean burning fuel, it can still create soot, a particular matter that can build up over time and eventually form an obstruction. When this happens, deadly carbon monoxide gas can build up instead of escaping like it should. The National Fire Protection Association encourages homeowners to maintain regular inspections of their chimneys in order to prevent accidental carbon monoxide poisoning.

What Can You Expect From an Inspection?

According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America, a basic inspection ensures that all the readily accessible sections of your chimney’s interior and exterior are examined. The service technician will be able to check to see that your chimney is free of obstructions. An inspection will determine whether your log structure is lighting correctly, whether any repairs are needed, and whether the existing framework has any structural issues.

Fireplace Inspections and Maintenance in Canton MA

A blazing fire creates instant comfort and warmth in any home, but like any appliance, your fireplace requires annual upkeep and proper maintenance. Contact New England Hearth & Home today for your annual inspection. We would be happy to ensure your fireplace is flawlessly functioning and ready to keep you warm for many chilly nights to come.

If you’ve considered putting a new fireplace in your home, but don’t want to go through with a full remodel, a fireplace insert may be just the perfect solution! A fireplace insert is a great alternative to a traditional fireplace. It is essentially a firebox surrounded by a steel shell. In a fireplace insert, heat is trapped as the air flows between the firebox and the shell as it is warmed. This makes sure that the heat is being delivered into the room and not into the masonry structure. Therefore, heat is not being lost up the chimney or absorbed into the stone. A fireplace insert can be a good addition if you have an older wood burning or masonry-style fireplace. You may also consider one if you start to feel like the heat you’re getting from your current fireplace is not sufficient. A fireplace insert can use a variety of fuels and provides several other benefits that make it a great addition to your home.

Fireplace inserts can be heated using several types of fuel:

• Natural Gas
• Propane
• EPA Certified Wood
• Pellets
• Coal
• Electricity

Benefits of a Fireplace Insert:

1. One of the biggest advantages of a fireplace insert is its efficiency. Traditional open fireplaces typically have a low efficiency rate of only about 5-10% since most heat is lost through the chimney. Because fireplace inserts have a sealed, air tight door, the fire burns slower generating more heat. They have a significantly higher efficiency rating, some up to  80%.
2. Going hand in hand with efficiency, fireplace inserts can help save money on your energy bill. You will be using less gas, oil or electricity to heat your home with the increased efficiency of your fireplace.
3. Fireplace inserts can also reduce your environmental footprint substantially, with wood burning emission of almost zero. Many fireplace inserts are EPA-certified, making them an optimal choice if you’re making an effort to “go green.”
4. Fireplace inserts are also an aesthetically pleasing, more affordable option to add a new look without a messy remodel. You can add the fireplace box to your existing structure for a much simpler installation.
5. They are also easily operated. With a touch of a button or flip of a switch, you will have instant heat. Many fireplace inserts even come with a remote control so you don’t even have to leave the couch to start a blazing fire!

Contact New England Hearth & Home

To learn more about fireplace inserts and how they work, contact the fireplace experts at New England Hearth & Home! Fill out our contact form or call us today at 781-562-0771!