Chimney Care Company's Blog

Maintaining your pellet stove

You likely selected your pellet stove for its ease of use: You get to enjoy the glowing flames and added warmth of a fire without having to stack and haul wood, add logs to the fire throughout the day, or have to clean large quantities of ash from a fireplace. Nonetheless, your pellet stove does require some regular maintenance to keep running as safely and efficiently as possible.

Weekly pellet stove maintenanceMaintaining-your-pellet-stove-Cincinnati-OH-Chimney-Care-Co (1)

Each week, you will need to perform some simple tasks, taking about 15 minutes of your time, to keep your pellet stove running as it was built to. First, you will need to empty the ash drawer. You will also need to inspect your stove for the presence of “clinkers,” hard deposits that form when ash melts. Clinkers can keep the fire in your burn pot from getting the oxygen it needs to burn optimally. Any clinkers will need to be removed; this can be done with a special ash rake created just for this purpose. Examine the inside of your stove for any soot buildup, and remove soot with a wire brush. You will need to clean the heat exchanger, as outlined in your owner’s manual. Check your flame to make sure that it’s burning bright yellow or white. A darker, orange flame can indicate that it’s time to call a service professional. Clean the glass so you can continue to enjoy your stove’s flame and be able to spot any potential problems.

Pellet stove maintenance tips

One of the best things you can do to keep your pellet stove running efficiently, cleanly, and safely is to burn the right fuel. Make sure you are burning quality pellets that are made from hardwood; softwood pellets create more soot as they burn, leading to cleaning and maintenance problems for your stove. Also, make sure you allow the auger tube and hopper to empty completely on a regular basis to prevent sawdust and pellet debris from building up in and blocking the feeding system. At the end of the season, empty the hopper completely, as pellets can attract moisture and lead to rust in your stove.

Regular, professional pellet stove cleaning

As with any fireplace or heating stove, you will need to have your pellet stove and chimney cleaned and inspected once a year to make sure that there is no dangerous debris built up in the system and that there hasn’t been any damage to the stove or chimney that could pose a hazard. Your technician will inspect the stove’s vents, wiring, auger, motor, switches, seals, and other important components. Your technician also will clean and lubricate the stoves motors and fans, something that is difficult for you to do on your own.
You likely selected your pellet stove for its ability to heat your home efficiently and safely. With your regular maintenance and professional annual cleaning, your pellet stove can continue to be an asset to your home for years to come.

By Jeff Keefer | Tagged with: Tags: , , , , | Leave a Comment

What Firewood Should I Buy?

It is important to know the right kind of firewood to burn in your fireplace to get the hottest, most efficient fire, but also to ensure you are keeping your chimney healthy. Wood with high moisture content that is not dried properly or well seasoned can cause build up of glazed creosote that is dangerous to your chimney and difficult to remove.

What-Firewood-Should-I-Choose-Cincinnati-OH-Chimney-Care-Company

For any questions on firewood or to have your chimney inspected for creosote buildup, contact us at Chimney Care Company today.

Troubleshooting Common Pellet Stove Problems

Pellet stoves are a great alternative if you’re looking for a low-maintenance, eco-friendly source of warmth for your home. This affordable option not only saves you money on your electricity bill, it also is as customizable as the rest of your home with a variety of styles to fit your décor. If your pellet stove is not performing normally or producing smoke, make sure it is disconnected from the Troubleshooting Common Pellet Stove Problems - Cincinnati OH - Chimney Care Copower source and cool before inspecting it.

Pellets:

The fuel that feeds into your stove is made up of compressed bits of sawdust and bark that produce little to no smoke and are a renewable resource. If the pellets are producing soot or smoke when burned, it is likely that the pellets being used aren’t of a high quality, which means there is a higher likelihood of them producing deposits of creosote that can keep your stove from functioning properly. Invest in a better quality pellet, and see how much longer they burn for. Chances are, you’ll see better results.

Stove:

If the stove won’t start at all, even when plugged in to the power outlet, check the fuse to make sure it has been damaged. Once your stove is up and running, keep an eye out for these telltale signs. If you’re using high-quality pellets and smoke is still coming out of the stove, the burn pot could be at fault. Clean it of waste and debris and try again. The same solution goes for the auger that feeds the pellets into the burn pot. Clear the augur of pellets and try again. If the motor is at fault, give us a call. We will clean it of debris and lubricate the moving parts so that it can function properly. Most of the time, it is either the pellets or the deposits created by the pellets that cause a problem.

Ventilation:

Sometimes, air leaks develop in the seal of the door. If you are not feeling appropriate amounts of heat from the stove, this could be the culprit. The air inlet cap, which provides oxygen to full the fire, can also become blocked, so clean this on a regular basis as well. Proper ventilation is key to a successful pellet stove fire, so make sure the vent and exhaust pipe are clean.
Pellet stoves are high-tech and easy to use. Keep all the parts and pieces clear of debris and buildup, provide plenty of fuel, and you’ll have a beautiful fire in no time. Give us a call here at Chimney Care Company. We install pellet stoves in a variety of styles and sizes, depending on your budget and the ambiance you want to achieve. We also provide maintenance to make sure everything is working smoothly. Call us today: 513-248-9600!

By Jeff Keefer | Tagged with: Tags: , , , , | Leave a Comment

Not All Gas Logs Are the Same

Gas logs have so many benefits that it is hard to know where to start. Installation is simple, and their presence easily adds ambiance to a room. It takes mere seconds to start a fire, and requires much less maintenance than a conventional wood fireplace. The benefits of having gas logs in your fireplace is obvious, but many don’t know all the various options that are available for those looking to change or upgrade from their current situation.Not All Gas Logs Are the Same - Cincinnati, OH - Chimney Care Co

Vented Gas Logs:

When selecting a gas log set, consider where they will be located. Do you have a fireplace that you want to upgrade or do you want a fire that doesn’t require ventilation? This will be the main factor in determining if you need vented or vent-free gas logs. Vented gas logs act like a wood fire, just without the ash, the smoke, and the hassle. It still emits some fumes, so a fireplace that has a functioning, well-maintained chimney attached is a must. Just like a wood-burning fire, the damper of the chimney must remain open while the gas fire is on.

Vent-Free Gas Logs:

When you want to add a heat source and instant coziness to a room, a set of vent-free gas logs in an approved vent-free firebox that channels the heat directly into the room, but still protects you and your home. It doesn’t require a chimney, but keep in mind that gas lines will still need to be run into the firebox.

Other options:

Technology has spoiled us in the last few years, providing us with a variety of options for the logs and the firebox itself. Depending on the decor and feel of the room, the clay, cement, or ceramic logs can be made to resemble a variety of different woods, and can even be shaped to look like both split and whole logs, complete with knots and bark. You also have the option to choose the type and height of flame that is produced, as well as the pattern in which it burns. The flames can be produced by a manual or electronic ignition, and lit with a match or even a remote control. To even further add options, glowing embers can be activated and gravel or sand can be added underneath to complete the look. Gas logs have none of the fuss of building an actual fire, but all of the little details that add to the ambiance.

Gas logs can easily take the place of a wood-burning fireplace with their ease of use and convenience, but it is still important to keep your chimney and fireplace swept and inspected. You may be warm and cozy inside, but your chimney is still out in the elements. Give us a call today to schedule your appointment for a sweeping and to look into your options for changing to a gas log set before the winter months hit us.

How Can Zone Heating Reduce My Energy Bills?

How Can Zone Heating Reduce my Energy Bills - Cincinnati OH - Chimney Care CompanyThere are many different ways to warm your home this winter and avoid an especially high energy bill. Simple changes like keeping your temperature a few degrees cooler and bundling up with jackets and blankets, as well as lowering the temperature when you and your family are not in the home will save you a lot of money. If that just isn’t lowering your bill enough, it might be time to think about zone heating.

What is zone heating?

Though this can apply to both heating and cooling, cooler temperatures will have us thinking about staying warm, sooner rather than later. At its most simple, zone heating is a system of separating each area of your house into different zones, and allowing each area to be controlled individually. A more involved process of zone heating and cooling requires outfitting an entire house with a series of dampers in the air ducts, as well as have programmable thermostats to control each area. This can be pricey and time intensive. An easier alternative is using another heat source in the rooms that are most frequented. Using a gas or electric log set, a fireplace, or a stove in rooms with a high volume of traffic will allow you to lower your central furnace use and also the costs associated. Rooms that are not used as frequently, such as guest bedrooms and bathrooms, will remain at lower temperatures while the den, kitchen, and bedrooms can be outfitted with a series of aesthetically pleasing heating sources. We have a variety of options to choose from depending on if you want the ambiance and feel of a more traditional fireplace or log set, or if a vented stove is necessary for a larger room.

How is it going to help me save money?

By being able to control the amount of heat in each room of your house, the amount of wasted heat will be lowered, along with the price of your bill each month. The U.S. Department of Energy states that homeowners “can save up to 30 percent on a typical heating and cooling bill” and up to 40 percent of utility bills by switching to zone heating. That adds up to huge savings!

What are the benefits?

  • A beautiful addition to your home that perfectly represents your style
  • A new focal point for each room
  • Lovely new ambiance
  • Lowered heating costs this winter

Thinking about switching to zone heating can be a little overwhelming, but will be hugely beneficial in the long-term plan. There are many heating choices to choose from, and we want to help. Stop by the Chimney Care Company showroom and let us show you our collection of hearth products, and we can figure out together the best option for your budget and taste.

Visit Our Showroom!

Chimney Care Company | 413 Wards Corner Road, Loveland, Ohio 45140