During the coldest and snowiest days of winter, there is no better place to be than at home relaxing in front of a wood-burning fireplace. Besides being a source of heat, fireplaces bring another sense of comforting warmth to your home. Although starting a fire can be a quick and easy process, it is important to follow all safety precautions and guidelines. When you use the best quality and most suitable kind of wood, you can ensure you are able to create a fire of desired size and duration. Read on to learn more about the most compatible types of wood for wood-burning fireplaces.

Steps to Take Before Starting a Fire

Before lighting your fireplace, it is important to make sure that it is properly set up and ready to be safely used. To keep your wood-burning fireplace or stove running smoothly for years to come, you must practice routine maintenance and cleaning. While the fire is burning, it is essential to check that all ventilation is properly functioning to filter out any smoke or toxins. Besides setting up the fireplace itself, it is important to also prep the surrounding area by removing any objects within reach of flames or sparks. If you are unsure if your fireplace is ready to be used, it is always a good idea to consult a professional. New England Hearth & Home offers professional support for fireplace installation and repairs, as well as annual inspections. For a full list of our services, visit our website.

Choosing the Right Type of Wood for Your Fireplace or Stove

There is nothing that can destroy the relaxation of a wood-burning fireplace faster than the sudden build-up of heavy smoke or obnoxious odors. To avoid any complications, selecting the right type of wood to burn is crucial. Wood is generally categorized between hardwood and softwood, and each subsection comes with their own properties. When looking for firewood, you want to find a type that has the ability to maintain high temperatures and burn entirely at a steady pace. By burning wood with these characteristics, you can keep a hotter and more durable flame.

Seasoned Firewood

The best type of wood to use for starting a fireplace or outdoor pit Is wood that has been completely drained of all moisture. If you attempt to start a fire by using wood from a freshly cut tree, you will soon be encountered by clouds of heavy smoke. When buying firewood, you want to keep an eye out for those that have been previously seasoned. By definition, seasoned firewood is wood that has already been dried out of any remaining moisture before becoming available for purchase. After being harvested, firewood is usually placed in a hot kiln for high-speed drying to remove any remaining water. Seasoning firewood is also helpful for the environment by removing any mold, mildew, or toxic spores that could have otherwise been released into the atmosphere.

Hardwood

Hardwood is the best type of firewood to choose when looking for top quality. Woods, such as birch, hickory, oak, and ash, are a household favorite for their ability to burn evenly for an extended period of time. Although hardwoods tend to be more expensive, they show their worth in the dazzling, dancing flames they create.

Softwood

If price is your main concern, softwood is a cheaper alternative that offers a similar result. Unlike hardwoods, though, softwoods tend to burn through quicker and require more maintenance. Popular examples of softwood used for indoor lighting fireplaces include those that came from cedar, pine, spruce, fir, and poplar trees. Due to their delicate nature, these branches can be more difficult to manage and leave a messier residue.

Contact Us for Wood-Burning Fireplace or Stove Installation, Maintenance, & Inspection in Canton, MA

If you are interested in installing a wood-burning fireplace or stove in your home, but are looking for more information, fill out our contact form to receive a free estimate. At New England Hearth & Home, we pride ourselves on our ability to provide the best products and services to our customers. To receive more information, visit our website or give us a call at (781) 562-0771.

There is no feeling quite like relaxing in front of a cozy fireplace on the coldest winter nights. Adding a fireplace into your home adds an extra sense of comfort and  a touch of classic design. Many families prefer installing a gas fireplace over other styles due to their low energy cost, as well as how easy they are to clean and maintain. To learn more about the different methods of properly starting a fire in your gas stove or fireplace, read on.

Steps to Take Before Turning On Your Gas Fireplace

Before attempting to start a fire in your gas stove or fireplace, it is important to properly prepare the room to keep your home safe. All flammable objects, materials, and wall hangings must be placed at least 3 feet away from the appliance to avoid a potential fire catching. In the case of a fire, you want to be sure that all of your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are working. Finally, and most importantly, you must make sure that all vents are opened and properly functioning to allow any toxins or smoke to escape your chimney. If you have not used your fireplace in an extended period of time and are not sure if it is safe to light, read our blog to learn the best steps to take, or contact us for a consultation. New England Hearth & Home offers expert annual inspections to catch any potential hazards and make any necessary repairs.

Method One: Using a Control Panel to Start Your Gas Fireplace

When operating a control panel to start up your gas fireplace or stove, the main idea is to begin by igniting the pilot light. When looking at the panel, there will be three choices; “on,” “off,” and “pilot.” To begin lighting, turn the knob towards the “pilot” position, which will start the flow of gas to your fireplace. Next, hold down the ignition button to light the flame. If the flame is continuing to burn after 30 seconds, you may release the button, turn the knob into the “on” position, and enjoy the warm glow. Depending on how long it has been since you last used your fireplace, it may take several attempts to press on the ignition button before success.

Method Two: Igniting Your Gas Fireplace or Stove with a Key Valve

Certain models of gas fireplaces will include a decorate slot and hex key that allows for simple ignition. Usually, the valve is located immediately next to your fireplace, or directly underneath on the floor. To begin, use a long lighter or lit match to ignite the burner while simultaneously turning the key into the slot. You should hear the hiss of gas as it begins to flow to your fireplace. Once the pilot light is lit, you can remove the light or match and use the hex key to control the height of the flames to your desire.

Method Three: Operating a Wall Switch to Light Your Gas Fireplace

More modern styles of gas fireplaces or stoves will include the installation of a wall switch or remote to control your appliance. Being the most simple and straightforward of all the methods, to start your fireplace you only need to follow the directional buttons on your control. You should be able to turn your fireplace on or off and adjust the height of the flames. Since these controls often are connected to your home’s main power supply, please note your fireplace will not work if there is a power outage.

What to Do If Your Gas Fireplace Doesn’t Start

There can be a number of reasons why you might be unsuccessful while trying to ignite your gas fireplace or stove. One of the more common problems is that the pilot light might be malfunctioning. You could also be running too much power through your circuit, causing a lack of energy running through your fireplace. In either of these cases, you might have to attempt to light it manually, or call a professional for further assistance. New England Hearth & Home offers year-round appointments for fireplace inspections, cleaning services, and repairs. Visit our website to learn more about our fireplace troubleshooting services and how to keep your fireplace running safely.

Contact Us for Gas Fireplace Maintenance, Installation, & Removal in Canton, MA

Taking the time to properly ignite a fire in your gas fireplace or stove is important for keeping it running safely and smoothly for many years to come. Due to their simple maintenance and low energy cost, gas fireplaces are very popular among households. By following these steps to start a fire in your appliance, you can enjoy even the coldest nights by staying toasty in your home. Call us today at (781) 562-0771 if you are looking to install a new gas fireplace or stove into your home, or if you are looking to clean your current appliance.

This past year has been unlike others, and the inability to travel had us all craving nature and the outdoors more strongly than ever before. We saw a massive increase in families creating spaces in their home that resemble the places around the world they love the most. For most people, this meant creating outdoor spaces that were comfortable, functional and stylish. There’s no need to escape to a new city when you can escape to your very own backyard.

With travel still suspended for most, we expect these trends to continue into 2021, as work from home continues and people adapt their homes to their new lifestyles.  People are looking to bring the tropical vacation vibes to their homes once again for spring and summer.

Outdoor Fire Pits

In the summer, outdoor firepits become the perfect night time escape to gather with friends or family. Not only do they provide much needed heat at night, but they also provide a much needed space for outdoor gatherings. Outdoor fire pits can also provide more structure to your patio or outdoor area. They can be found in a wide variety of styles and materials to complement the design language of your home, patio or backyard area. These fire pits help bring the feeling of a fancy vacation to your living space!

Comfort Over Everything

Another trend we are seeing is that basic furniture like plastic chairs or even wire benches just aren’t cutting it anymore. Those who are working at home or just spending more time than usual at home are investing in more comfortable chairs with larger cushions. Whether you’re looking to get some work done outside and need some sunshine in your WFH routine or want to catch the sunset after a productive day, better furniture can help you enjoy your time outside to the fullest.

Tile Patios

Tile patios are an emerging trend that can bring a lot of color and energy into your backyard living area, depending on the tile pattern you choose of course. This is another great example of people really looking for change in scenery while staying put. The right tile choice can be not only very stylish but also quite durable. 

Contact New England Hearth & Home

Are you looking to spice up your backyard living space? We offer custom fire pits design and installation that can offer style, warmth and a great change of pace to your backyard area! Please give us a call at (781)562-0771 or contact us here.