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Wood Fireplace Safety & Efficiency Tips

wood burning fireplace

Heating up your home with the snap, crackle, and pop of a wood-burning fireplace can make for a cozy, inviting space to relax. However, it’s not quite as simple as throwing a log on to burn and forgetting about it. Taking preventative measures to ensure you and your family’s safety can save you big in the long run. There are also certain steps you can take to get the most efficiency out of your fireplace. Check out some of our tips below.

Burn Dry, Curated Wood

The best way to guarantee you’ll have a roaring fire for hours it by using hardwoods that have been cut, stacked and dried for approximately 8-12 months. Hickory wood, white oak, beech, sugar maple, and white ash typically burn the longest. These will allow you to grab a cup of hot cocoa, and curl up on the couch without having to continuously get up adding new logs. Woods like spruce or white pine will burn if completely dry but will need to be tended more often adding new logs.

Burn Firewood Only

It can be tempting to toss any old scrap of painted or treated wood in the fire to get rid of it, but the chemicals that will be released into your home are not safe to breathe in. Wood should be chopped for the sole purpose of firewood in order to be used.

Check Around Chimney

Ensuring that the area above your chimney is clear of any tree limbs is essential. Not only are hanging branches a fire hazard, but they can also restrict proper airflow.

Clear out Ashes

Sweep or vacuum out old ashes from your fireplace before starting your next fire. Keep in mind that these coals can remain hot for nearly 3 days after your fire, so don’t try to do this too soon. Your chimney should also be cleaned at least annually by a professional, depending on how often you burn wood.

Contact New England Hearth & Home

For more information on safety and fireplace efficiency, contact the experts at New England Hearth & Home! Fill out an online form or give us a call today at 781-562-0771! 

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Benefits of an Electric Fireplace

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!

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5 Step Guide for Choosing a Fireplace

wood burning fireplace

If you’re shopping for a new fireplace, there’s most likely a specific reason that sparked your search. Whether it be for style purposes to update the room, for additional heat, upgraded efficiency, etc., the reason for the fireplace will have an impact on which fireplace will best suit your needs. Think about your “why” and start there. Use the following steps to help make the next few decisions. 

Type of Fireplace

Next, understanding what type of fireplace to get is key. Will you need a fireplace insert, stove, or new built in fireplace? If you have an existing hearth, you’ll be looking to purchase a fireplace insert to place inside. Inserts are a great option, providing several benefits including improved indoor air quality, a potential decrease in your heating bill, and an upgraded appearance in your room. If you’re building a new home or installing a fireplace where there isn’t already one built in, you’ll be looking for a new fireplace. With direct vent technology, it makes it easy to install a fireplace in almost any room. There are also many styles available to suit your  taste: modern, contemporary, traditional, or classic. Or, it you prefer a stand-up style fireplace, you’ll want to limit your search to stoves. These are available in wood, gas or pellet, and can be customized to fit your style. A stove provides powerful heat and typically have great efficiency.

Fuel

Choosing which type of fuel you’ll burn in your fireplace is the next step. You can pick between gas, wood, electric or pellet, depending on which style you selected. Natural gas is a good choice if you want an easy, low maintenance fireplace that can be adjusted with the push of a button on your remote control. It is also the cleanest burning fossil fuel. However, if you prefer the traditional crackling sound of a fireplace to cozy up to, wood is also a great choice since it is a renewable resource. It will just require a bit more manual work. Pellets give the best of both worlds if you want the convenience of a gas fireplace, but want a renewable fuel. Pellets are small pieces that produce heat and flame when burned. Lastly, electric is a good option if you want the aesthetic benefits of a fireplace, but are not necessarily looking for high heat efficiency. These can be a particularly good option in warmer climate homes.

Measurements

You’ll now need to think about the room in which you’re installing it, and what sort of space you have to work with. If you’re going with an insert, you’ll need to know the size of the opening in your existing masonry. Or if you’re installing a new fireplace, you’ll want to take measurements of the room and wall space you have to work with.

Where to Buy From

When purchasing a fireplace, it’s always best to purchase from an authorized fireplace dealer. While it may seem convenient to buy from a local “big box” store, there’s a good possibility that the quality will be compromised. Buying from used product websites is also risky, as safety is crucial when it comes to your fireplace, and you never know what you’ll get from one of those sites. By visiting your local authorized dealer, you’ll have the opportunity to speak with a fireplace expert and get recommendations on which fireplaces will best suit your needs.

Contact New England Hearth & Home

If you’re starting your search for a new fireplace, whether it be for an existing structure or new installation, contact the experts here at New England Hearth & Home or stop by our showroom. Our team can point you in the right direction and assist you from the initial purchase, to installation and future maintenance.

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Why Gas Fireplaces Need an Annual Inspection

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.