Chimney Care Company's Blog

What Exactly Are Fireplace Inserts?

A fireplace is a real selling point for a home. Many people love the idea of warming up in front of a crackling fire and a home withfireplace insert a fireplace is exactly what they want. The problem is that fireplaces, especially older fireplaces, are known to be drafty, cold, and inefficient. This is a problem because heating a room is what a fireplace is all about. If you have an older fireplace and you know that it isn’t running as efficiently as it should be, then maybe you need to look into converting your fireplace with a fireplace insert. If you’d like to have all the benefits of a working fireplace without the expense and time spent installing a new one, then a great option for you would be to look into a fireplace insert. Whether you want to heat with wood, gas, or pellets, we can hook you up with a great insert that will make your fireplace more efficient and still give a great looking fire!

What Is a Fireplace Insert?

One of the major reasons that adding or replacing a fireplace is not ideal is because it is a time-consuming undertaking. It can also cost quite a bit, not only because of the cost of labor and supplies but because you may have to pay to have your flooring reinforced in order to hold the weight of the fireplace structure. That’s why a fireplace insert is ideal. An insert, no matter what type, isn’t as heavy, as expensive, or as time-consuming to install as a fireplace would be.

A fireplace insert is basically a new firebox that is surrounded by steel or cast iron that is set inside your fireplace. It also includes an insulated glass front. Not only is this less expensive and easier to install, but it will also increase the efficiency of your fireplace because it’s a closed combustion system in which the cast iron or steel hold the heat. Some of these appliances are also outfitted with blowers that can take that trapped heat and blow it back into the room through vents located in the front of the insert. This can create a great source of supplemental heat to your home. Just turn down the furnace, fire up the insert, close as many doors as you can and you’ve got a room that is heated by the cozy flames of a mesmerizing fire. What a great way to spend the evening!

Types of Inserts

There are several different options to choose from when it comes to fireplace inserts. If you love the traditional look of a wood burning fireplace, you can definitely go that route. It does seem like a throw-back to a simpler time, when you went out and chopped your own wood, stacked it to make sure it was properly cured, then brought it in on a snowy evening, laid a fire and kept it burning all night long. If, however, you just don’t have the time or the energy to go to all that effort, it could be that a gas burning appliance is the right choice for you. All it takes is adding a gas line, getting your unit installed, and flipping a switch and you’ll have a great looking fire burning. Flip the switch again and you’ll be ready to turn in for the evening. It doesn’t get much simpler than that!

If you want ease but really like the look of a wood-burning fire, then maybe a pellet burning appliance is the right way for you to go. With a pellet burner, you buy pellets that are made of pressed wood or sawdust, so you’re using an environmentally friendly heat source that would otherwise go to waste. These pellets are stored in a hopper in the basement, then are augered into your insert at the touch of a switch where they burn with a natural looking wood fire. This is the best of both worlds, wood burning with touch of a button ease.

Let the Experts Help

If you’re looking into replacing your fireplace with a more efficient insert, whether wood, gas, fire, or propane, just give Chimney Care Co. a call and let us help you get it going. We are experts when it comes to the installation and upkeep of any type of appliance. When it comes to proper installation, it’s especially important to follow all the manufacturer’s directions to a tee. This is especially true when it comes to installing a gas appliance because it’s important to make sure that the gas hook up is right or you could run into some real safety problems. That’s why it’s so important to give us a call and let us set it up right. Our professionals are CSIA certified, so we’ve had the best education and training in the industry! Call us soon, and it won’t be long until you’re enjoying your warm, efficient insert!

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

Our Brands and Products

At Chimney Care Company, we take care of many different jobs. When you think of Chimney Care, you probably think of the excellence of our chimney care work. We do inspections and cleanings, and we can take care of any repairs or rebuilds, too. The excellence of our work speaks for itself, but there are other things that we do as well. Our showroom is full of specials, from heating appliances to fireplace accessories and anything else you may need to make your fireplace experience safer or easier. If you live in the greater Cincinnati area, you know our reputation for high quality workmanship, and you can count on that high standard to follow us to the showroom as well. Any product we sell will be only the highest quality because we want our customers to be 100% satisfied in their dealings with us each and every time.

Brands and Products

Who doesn’t like the idea of warming up in front of a snapping, crackling fire on a cold winter evening? For many people, when buying a home this is a deal-maker. If the house has a fireplace or a free standing heating appliance, it can seal the deal on purchasing the home. But not every house has a fireplace. That’s where we can help you out! It’s easy to add a gas, wood, or pellet burning stove to your home to add a homey appeal and ambience to any setting. At Chimney Care Company, we sell a wide range of heating appliances in all the top brands to meet any homeowner’s needs or desires. And because we want our customers to be completely satisfied, we often offer big discounts on all the major brands. We’ve offered showroom specials on gas appliances, such as the Hearthstone Tucson Direct Vent Gas Stove, or on wood appliances, such as the Hearthstone Bennington Wood Stove, as well as many others. We research the different brands and the stoves they produce so we know the best stove for any homeowner’s needs.

Installation

After you’ve purchased your appliance, we’ll be ready for the installation process. Our employees are CSIA certified, as well as holding memberships with the National Chimney Sweep Guild, and Hearth, Patio, & Barbeque Association, and our education and training are ongoing, so we’ll install your unit with the highest level of training there is. We’re aware of the regulations of the industry, so you can rest assured that your family will be safe and sound.

Other Products

If you’re looking for fireplace accessories, we can help you out there as well! If there’s something on the market that will help make your fire-burning experience safer or more pleasant, we have it. And we only sell those brands that have proven durability. We stand behind every product we sell. If you’re looking for anything fireplace or burning appliance related, stop by or give us a call today!

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

Wood-burning, pellet or gas? Which fireplace is right for you?

Are you looking to add a fireplace to your home? Once you choose to enhance your hearth and home, one of the first decisions you will have to make about your new fireplace or heating stove is fuel time. So wood-burning, pellet or gas — which fireplace is right for you?

Wood-burning fireplaces, fireplace inserts, and heating stoves
When most homeowners envision a hearth, they picture the soothing crackle, gentle glow and soft warmth of a fire-burning fireplace, fireplace insert or heating stove. Wood-burning hearth appliances are popular for a reason: In addition to their classic feel, wood-burning fireplaces and stoves can be an inexpensive way to add supplemental heat to your home. If you’re able to harvest your own firewood, the additional heat from a wood-burning fireplace comes, essentially, for free. Even if you purchase wood for your wood-burning fireplace or heating stove, fueling your wood-burning hearth appliance is low cost. And while traditional wood-burning fireplaces have a bad reputation for their inefficiency, an enclosed wood-burning fireplace insert or heating stove can generate a lot of heat for your home very efficiently and will little air pollution.

Pellet fireplaces, fireplace inserts, and heating stoves
For people who love the traditional look and feel of a wood-burning fireplace but who want a hearth appliance that’s lower maintenance, a pellet fireplace, fireplace insert or heating stove might be the answer. Pellet-burning appliances are fueled by small pellets made from dehydrated, compressed wood shavings. Many also can burn biofuels, like cherry pits or corn. Pellet fireplaces, inserts and heating stoves are easier to use because they are fueled automatically. You load a hopper with your biofuel of choice, and an automated auger automatically feeds the fuel to the fireplace as needed. Fuel for a pellet stove can be bought at nearly any big box store, and the bags are stored easily out of the way. You can fill a hopper when it’s easy for you, and your fireplace will continue to be fueled while you’re sleeping, at work or out running errands.

Gas fireplaces, fireplace inserts, and heating stoves
Gas hearth appliances are the right choice for people who love the warmth and ambiance provided by a fireplace or heating stove but who hate the work involved in fueling and maintaining a fireplace. Gas fireplaces, fireplaces, and heating stoves ignite automatically at the push of a button, and they can be wired to thermostats to help regulate the temperature within a home. The other advantages to gas fireplaces are that they don’t require the infrastructure required by wood-burning or pellet appliances. With zero-clearance, direct-vent and vent-free gas hearth appliances, you can install a fireplace nearly anywhere within your home.

If you are ready to add a fireplace to your home, but you’re still trying to determine what type of fireplace is right for you, call the Chimney Care Co.! Our fireplace experts can help you determine what type and size fireplace is right for you, and we can get your new hearth appliance installed properly so you can enjoy it all winter long.

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

Unsure of your gas fireplace? Have it inspected first.

Does your gas fireplace remain unlit and unused because you’re unsure of its safety? Or did you purchase a new home with a gas fireplace, but you’re afraid to use it because you don’t know when it was last serviced? If you’re unsure about the functioning of your gas fireplace, have it inspected by a professional, and you’ll be enjoying your fireplace in no time.

Signs your gas fireplace is due for an inspection

Unsure of your gas fireplae Have it inspected first! - Cincinnati OH - Chimney Care CoIt’s undeniable that gas fireplaces require less maintenance that their wood-burning counterparts, but they do still require an annual cleaning and inspection. Gas fires release corrosive water vapor that can degrade your chimney, and ceramic logs can break down and clog vents, vents and fans need to be cleaned, and the chimney should be inspected for any leaks. If you’re moving into a new home and don’t know when the last time the gas fireplace was serviced, or if you are overdue for your annual cleaning and inspection, you should call a CSIA-certified chimney sweep before burning any fires.

Even if you’ve kept up your regular inspections and maintenance on your gas fireplace, there are some signs that your fireplace may require service immediately. Those include:

  • Soot buildup on any part of your fireplace or chimney
  • A bad or odd odor coming from your fireplace
  • Discoloration or etching on the glass front of the fireplace
  • Slow ignition or no ignition
  • Sudden or delayed turnoff
  •  Unusually dark orange flames.

What to expect from a gas fireplace inspection

When you call in an expert to inspect your gas fireplace, they will look for any cracks in and usually clean the glass. As ceramic logs can sometimes degrade, your inspector will look for and remove any debris from those logs, particularly debris that is blocking the vents.  Your inspector will make sure your fireplace is venting properly, that all valves and seals are properly functioning, that all blowers and fans are functioning, and make sure that there are no damaged or worn-out components. Your inspector also will look for condensation, proper clearances, and any cracks in the firebox or chimney. The pilot will be lit to make sure that it is functioning properly, and your technician will inspect the flames to make sure they are burning as they should.

Don’t delay your gas fireplace inspection

If you’re wary of your gas fireplace, don’t delay your inspection! An improperly functioning gas fireplace can put your home and family in danger of a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. The certified technicians from the Chimney Care Company can clean and inspect your fireplace to make sure it’s running safely and efficiently. We’ll have you enjoying your gas fireplace in no time!

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

Visit Our Showroom!

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