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 with 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!