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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.

 

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What is a Fireplace Insert?

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!

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Benefits Of A Retractable Awning

retractable awnings

Retractable awnings have been a popular home feature in Europe for years now. More and more homeowners in the US are entertaining the idea of an awning for their home, and for good reason! Awnings provide several benefits to homeowners, from weather protection to reduced electric bills. Here are a few of the major advantages that are intriguing to homeowners:

 

Shade From The Sun

The summer months don’t last long, so us New Englander’s love to spend as much time outside as possible! However, the harmful UV rays of the sun may be causing you to rethink your time outside. By using a retractable awning, you can create an area of shade for those concerned about the UV rays. It provides protection, as well as a shady, cool area to enjoy on hot days. On less sunny days, you can retract it to get direct sunlight.

Protection From The Rain

Let’s face it, New England weather is unpredictable. The forecast could be clear as day,  but as soon as you invite guests over- Surprise! It starts to drizzle. With a retractable awning, you’ll have a little extra space for guests to still hang outdoors, without getting soaked. An awning extends your outdoor living area, no matter what the weather may bring.

Save Money

If you have a room that is exposed to constant sunlight and gets too hot in the summertime, a retractable awning can help deflect these rays. An awning will provide shade to the room, saving you from cranking up the AC and fans inside. With some natural cooling tactics like a retractable awning, you could save big on your electric bill this summer!

Attractive

A retractable awning is a much more affordable, and simple addition to your house than many other home improvement projects. Awnings can add a burst of color or texture to your home or office space. Choose from different sizes and patterns to put a personal touch on your home!

Easy to use

With a manual awning, all you need is a little elbow grease to crank and unroll. And with an electric awning, it’s as simple as pushing a button to retract or extend automatically! All of our awnings are motorized for your convenience.

 

Contact New England Hearth & Home

New England Hearth & Home offers 0% financing on all major awning purchases! Choose from our selection of motorized awnings, available in numerous different sizes and styles. Stop by our showroom, or contact us at  781-562-0771  to learn more!

 

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Dressing Your Fireplace For Summer

decorative fireplace with candle display

The blizzards, bitter cold days, and brutal winter months are finally behind us. As we step into the warmer, sunnier months of summer, we can’t wait to turn down the heat and crank the AC. You probably won’t be lighting your fireplace anytime soon, so why not turn your functional heating unit into a decorative piece for the summer? We’ve created a list of some of our favorite design ideas to keep your fireplace looking stylish all summer long!

Paint it Bright:

Rather than painting the entire room, adding a pop of color to your fireplace surround can create the same cheery effect, with about half the work. For a bold look, try a sunny yellow to liven up your space. If you’re feeling daring, spice it up with a chartreuse to quickly transform your interior. Or to obtain a more clean look, using a stark white can still brighten up the room with a more subtle touch. Add some pastel accents in and around the fireplace to still achieve a lighthearted summer look.

Create a Display:

Perhaps even easier than adding a coat of paint, creating a simple display inside of your fireplace can be a unique way to dress it up.  A ceramic vase of hand-picked flowers or long twirly twigs can bring a touch of nature into your room. Grab an antique statue that’s been lying around for years, or that hand-woven basket you never knew what to do with, and place it in your fireplace. You can even turn traditional logs into decorative pieces by painting and carefully stacking them in and around your fireplace. Try installing a mirror to bounce natural light all around the room and make your space appear even larger.

Decorative Screen Divider:

For the simplest solution of all, choose a decorative screen divider to hide your empty fireplace for the summer. Choose any design or color you’d like to make your fireplace pop. You can even make it a DIY project by using removable wallpaper on an existing foldable screen!

 

Contact New England Hearth & Home!

At New England Hearth & Home, we have some of the best fireplaces in all New England & Massachusetts as a whole. Fireplaces can provide all the benefits above and MORE! If you are interested in getting a new fireplace, contact us today at New England Hearth & Home by filling out our contact form, or by giving us a call directly at 781-562-0771.