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Signs That Your Chimney Needs To Be Cleaned

When something like a car has issues, you typically know right away. When it’s something like your chimney, you may have difficulty noticing if there is a problem. It’s that time of year again where fireplaces will be in full force. Your chimney must be in perfect shape to keep you and your home safe. Here are some ways to tell if your chimney needs to be cleaned:

Buildup of Creosote

If you burn a fire and notice a weird smell, it could be creosote buildup in your chimney. This smell can still be noticeable even after you think you cleaned the fireplace, it’s something to do with the chimney. Creosote is a by-product of burning fires in your fireplace, and it should be cleaned every year – especially if you are an avid user of your fireplace. Moisture from the logs burning will travel up the chimney and stick to the walls. 

Animal Entry

Birds and other smaller animals get into chimneys more often than you think. This can happen when your chimney cap isn’t shut or when you don’t have one at all. Small animals can easily get in, but they have a tough time getting out. Chimneys are the perfect place for birds and animals to live and start families. If you sense a weird smell coming from your fireplace, you may need to have it cleaned out for animals. A lot of the time, you will even find dead animals in there. It’s sad, but it happens often.

Excess Smoke In Your Fireplace

If you have a lot of smoke when you burn a fire, that can be a sign to have your chimney cleaned. Excess smoke can signal that there is a blockage somewhere in the chimney. It can also mean the opening in the chimney is clogged by grime, soot, or creosote. Your chimney won’t be as effective unless you get it cleaned out.

Soot

If you have a lot of black material in your fireplace, that could be soot. Soot is what happens before creosote forms. Soot isn’t too hard to clean out of a fireplace, but you definitely should get it done before a long winter of use. 

Contact New England Hearth & Home

New England Hearth & Home is here to help you with all things fireplace! We can take care of your yearly cleaning and any other maintenance on your fireplace. Contact us to talk to one of our experts about anything you need to be done to your fireplace. Call us today or fill out our online request form to get in touch.

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Unique Places in Your Home to Install a Fireplace

When you see a fireplace in someone’s home, it’s typically in the living room. Since fireplaces are an amenity that started in the 1600s, living rooms were the best part of the house in terms of ventilation. While fireplaces’ look has changed, many people stray away from installing them in other parts of their homes. Here are some rooms in your home where you should consider installing a fireplace:

Fireplace in Your Master Bath

Master bathrooms are the peak of relaxation in a home. Usually, there is a soaking tub or jacuzzi, double vanity, and a lot of space. If you spend a big part of your day in your master bathroom, adding a fireplace can make it even more enjoyable. Colder mornings will be warmer, and relaxing in the bath after a long day will be full of ambiance. Once you think about adding one to your bathroom, you won’t be able to get the idea out of your head!

Fireplace in Your Kitchen

These days, kitchens are more dynamic than ever! From entertaining to cooking, a kitchen can be used for so much. Since many people opt for an open concept kitchen when remodeling, they find themselves eating meals there. Adding a fireplace for holiday dinners and having friends over can create a restaurant atmosphere and add warmth and comfort to the space.

Fireplace in Your Foyer

Adding a warm welcome for your guests or yourself after a long day is something easy to do with a fireplace in your foyer! Even if you have a small entryway, there are small fireplaces to match. Having a fireplace in your foyer is a pleasant surprise and a unique addition to your home.

Fireplace in Your Exercise Room

Having a fireplace in a room that you associate with sweat and being hot probably doesn’t make sense at first. Luckily, electric fireplaces can give the appearance of a fire without the heat! If you do yoga, Pilates, or another relaxing form of exercise, having a fireplace in the room with you can add to the calming and soothing vibes.

Fireplace in Your Outdoor Living Space

As the weather gets cooler and the nights getting shorter, adding a fireplace to your backyard living space can increase the amount of time you’re able to spend out there. Fireplaces are an excellent option for inside and outside of the home. Keep you and your guests warm while also adding extra light!

Contact New England Hearth & Home

At New England Hearth & Home, our mission is to provide you with the best fireplace services you can find. Contact us for fireplace installation, repairs, and other services. Call us today or fill out our service request form to get in touch!

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Everything to Know About Seasoned Firewood

seasoned firewood

Are you looking to use seasoned firewood for your fireplace this Fall or Winter? Seasoned wood is made by storing away and drying out wood for a whole season before use. Wood can take 1 to 2 years to become adequately seasoned! It can reduce the moisture in the wood to make it burn better. If you use wood with a lot of moisture, your stove or fireplace will not be fuel-efficient. 

How Can You Tell if Firewood is Seasoned?

Here are some ways to tell if your firewood is seasoned correctly for use:

Color of the Wood

There are a few ways to tell if you have seasoned firewood to use for your fireplace or woodstove. The first way to be able to tell is by looking at the color. When wood ages, it fades in color. Seasoned wood will get paler over time, which is what you want. The lighter the wood is, the longer it’s been seasoned. 

Size of the Wood

The bigger the wood, the longer it will take to season. If you want larger pieces of seasoned wood, make sure they have been in the process of seasoning for a while. Otherwise, opting for smaller pieces may be your better option.

Why is it Important to use Seasoned Wood?

If you want to get the most heat out of your fireplace and increase your fireplace’s efficiency, seasoned wood is the best choice. It will also keep your fireplace or stove in use for a lot longer. Wood with high moisture can damage your unit, so seasoned firewood is the best choice to keep your fireplace running. 

Seasoning Your Own Firewood

Here are some tips for seasoning your own firewood:

Plan Out a Good Amount of Time

If you want seasoned firewood for next Fall and Winter, start planning now. Being able to have it season for this long will give you better results!

Cut The Wood Correctly 

You may want to opt for smaller pieces of wood, especially if this is your first time seasoning on your own. Cut larger pieces in half, so you still have the same amount of wood, but it will get the results you are looking for faster. 

Storing the Wood

Pick a spot that is dry and where the wood won’t be affected by the outdoor elements. This could be your garage or shed or another place where they can be stacked correctly. 

Contact New England Hearth & Home

If you are looking for more fireplace tips or are interested in our fireplace services, contact us today! New England Hearth & Home is happy to provide you with the best fireplaces in MA! Give us a call or fill out our contact form to get in touch.

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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.