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There are some common
questions consumers have when they are l ooking for a new
fireplace, stove or insert. Scan through the list, organized by
wood, pellet and gas, to see if your questions are answered.
Q. What is a “Hearth Product"?
A. An appliance that creates warmth in the home with a
visible flame and includes all related decorator items.
Q. What can you burn in these stoves and fireplaces?
A. Each stove or fireplace is designed to use either wood,
pellet fuel, natural gas, or liquid propane.
Q. Which one is best?
A. Deciding which fuel to use depends on factors specific to
each home. Explore the benefits, requirements and availability
of fuel before making your choice.
Wood |
Pellet |
Gas
Wood
Many benefits result from the decision to heat with wood. Wood
heat contributes to the conservation of the world’s
non-renewable fossil fuels. Wood heat enhances the nation’s
energy independence. In most instances, heating with wood will
save you money. Growing trees cleans the air of carbon dioxide,
having a positive effect on our carbon footprint. However,
linked to these benefits is the environmental responsibility to
burn as cleanly and as efficiently as possible. Click on “Clean,
Efficient, Responsible Heat” for a guide to provide information
on proper wood burning and tips to help you burn smart for lower
emissions for a cleaner environment.
Here, we should have another button; “Clean, Efficient,
Responsible Heat.” Include the page on this and the upside down
fire.
Q. How can I tell if a wood stove is a new clean burning,
high efficiency model?
A. Regulations enacted by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) require all wood stoves and fireplace inserts
manufactured and sold after July 1, 1992 to pass stringent
emission tests. An EPA label identifies as a new clean burning,
high efficiency model, and is found on every certified stove and
insert.
Q. How can I tell if a stove or insert is the right size for
my home?
A. Consider your geographic location and climate, the number
of rooms you wish to heat, and the construction of your home
such as room size, ceiling height, number of windows, and
insulation. Most stoves and inserts provide a range of square
feet each model is expected to heat. Your local Hearth
Specialist will tell you where your situation will fall within
that range.
Q. I already have an older stove. Is there anything I can do
to make it burn cleaner?
A. Yes. Even if you can’t upgrade to a new EPA certified
stove or fireplace insert right away, you can still improve the
performance of your current stove. Have your wood heating system
inspected and cleaned by a certified specialist. Make sure all
the gaskets are sound and the door shuts tight for better air
control. Read and follow the suggestions for optimal operation
of your stove.
Q. Can I install my own stove, insert or fireplace or should
I have the installation done professionally?
A. Having the installation done professionally ensures that
it will be installed safely and will meet all codes. It’s
strongly recommended by the stove, insert and fireplace
manufacturers that the installation be done by a professional. A
Hearth Specialty Retailer can provide you with professional
installation assistance. Installers are certified by HEARTH, a
nonprofit foundation that trains installers and fire code
inspectors. For owners who choose to do their own installation,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions explicitly. Go to
www.HBPEF.org for further information.
Q. Is it important to have my stove, insert or fireplace and
its chimney cleaned?
A. Yes. Smoke rising through your chimney may condense and
build up, forming a substance known as creosote. This volatile
substance can ignite and burn in the chimney. The results can be
tragic. The Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends that
all chimneys be inspected and cleaned annually, or more
frequently depending on usage. The stove, insert or fireplace
should also be inspected annually and serviced, if needed, to
ensure that it is operating correctly. See
www.csia.org
for more information.
Q. My wood stove smokes. Why?
A. Smoke, in the form of solid particles (or “particulates”)
and volatile gases, is unburned fuel. When a stove fails to
achieve the high combustion temperatures necessary to burn the
particulates and ignite the gases, you have smoke, and a loss of
up to half the heating potential of your firewood. A smoking
stove is not an efficient heater, and it can also adversely
affect air quality. The secondary burn system on EPA certified
stoves and inserts, combined with proper burn techniques, can
decrease the level of polluting emissions by up to 85%.
Q. How can I tell if I am operating my wood stove properly?
A. Check the exhaust coming out of your chimney; the smoke is
your operational barometer. If your fire is burning properly,
you should see the white transparent steam of evaporating water,
some darker and opaque smoke will be slightly visible. The
darker the color of the exhaust, the less efficiently you are
burning the appliance. It may be necessary to adjust the
operation, such as giving the fire more air or using smaller (or
drier) wood for a longer time, to decrease the density of the
smoke. A 15% opacity, or wispy white smoke, indicates efficient
operation. Some states regulate opacity levels from wood stove
chimneys.
>>HOW TO BURN
CLEAN
Click on the More Info button to learn more about an efficient
way to warm your chimney and safe burning information. Add a
button here that links to the Top Burn Recipe and Responsible
Heat.
Q. Are there times when my wood stove or fireplace insert
will emit more smoke?
A. There are two periods in the operation of a wood stove
most vulnerable to creating smoky emissions – during startup and
when you refuel. However, these smoky periods can be
dramatically minimized by proper operation.
Q. What can I do to minimize the amount of smoke at startup
and refueling?
A. Create and maintain drafting conditions necessary for
clean combustion. A good draft occurs when your chimney
consistently draws enough air into the firebox providing
adequate oxygen to completely burn the fuel. To create this
draft, you must preheat the chimney. The amount of time that
will take will vary with the height of the chimney, outside
exposure and construction, and barometric conditions. Typically,
preheating requires at least 5-15 minutes of a hot and vigorous
fire.
When reloading, place small split pieces of wood on the bed
of coals and fully open the air supply before adding larger
pieces of wood. Using smaller pieces of wood during reloading
encourages rapid reheating of the chimney.
You will know the chimney is drafting when each large piece of
dry wood you add ignites quickly, without a loss in the
intensity of the fire. Listen for the sound of air entering the
firebox. A constant movement of air signals that a good draft
has been achieved.
Some manufacturers provide specific guidelines involving
indirect monitoring of the chimney exhaust temperatures.
Typically, chimney connector temperatures must reach 500-600
degrees F. before the chimney is fully primed. Always follow
your manufacturer’s instructions when temperature and startup
procedures are specified.
Q. What is dry or seasoned wood?
A. When trees are initially cut down, they contain a
great deal of moisture. To dry the wood, split and stack it
loosely in a crosswise pattern to enable good air circulation.
Cover the wood pile to protect it from rain, snow and dew, but
leave the sides open for air flow. A sunny location is best;
keep it off the ground and away from buildings. Softwoods should
be allowed to dry in this fashion at least six months. Hardwood
takes longer to dry and may take more than a year to be fully
cured.
>> HOW TO MAKE A
"TOP DOWN" FIRE
Q. What is the difference in the types of wood?
A. Softwoods such as fir and cedar, grow fast and burn fast
and hot. They are best for starting the fire. Hardwoods are
primarily deciduous trees such as oak and maple and they burn
longer than softwoods. See a chart of “wood heating values” at
www.lrapa.org for more information on which wood
is best.
Wood |
Pellet |
Gas
Pellet Stoves and
Inserts
Pellet Stoves and inserts are an excellent way to heat your
stove. Pellet heat is controllable and comfortable. If you are
concerned about the environment, pellets are carbon neutral.
Q. Will my pellet stove/insert work if the power goes out?
A. No, unless you purchase a generator or the manufacturer
has a batter back-up system.
Q. Will a pellet stove or insert heat my house?
A. Yes; choose the appropriate size. Your hearth professional
will help you make the proper choice.
Q. What are the pellets made of?
A. Wood pellets are made of wood by-products such as wood
chips and sawdust. The best quality pellets have leave few
ashes.
Q. How many pellets does the stove hold?
A. Most stove hoppers hold at least a 40-pound bag of
pellets. Many hold 60 - 80 pounds, and some stoves can be fitted
with an auxiliary hopper to hold even more.
Q. How many pellets will I need to use in one hour?
A. Depending on the temperature demands and the quality of
the pellets and stove, you will use a pound to five pounds an
hour.
Q. What maintenance is needed on a pellet stove or insert?
A. Most pellet stoves need a weekly cleaning of the burn pot to
insure that the air holes are not clogged. An annual cleaning
and service of the entire stove is also needed. This can be done
by a professional or, in some cases, the homeowner can do it.
Q. Will it cost me less to use a pellet stove/insert than a
wood or gas stove/fireplace or insert?
A. If you have wood on your property, wood is the least
expensive fuel option. But there may be many other
considerations, such as ease of operation, storage space,
cleanliness, cost of the appliance and installation,
availability of fuel, cost of annual maintenance…. Click here to
go to the “fuel calculator.”
Q. Where can I get pellets?
A. You can often get pellets at a hearth shop, a hardware
store and, sometimes, a feed store. Before you buy a pellet
stove, check the supply forecasts at all the local pellet
suppliers.
Q. Are some pellets better than others?
A. Yes. The ash content determines the quality. Those with
the least ash content are the best.
Q. Can I get a pellet fireplace for my new home?
A. Yes, under certain circumstances. Many inserts come with
zero-clearance boxes which allow installation into new homes as
fireplaces.
Gas: Fireplaces, Inserts and Free
Standing Stoves
Come home to the comfort of a gas hearth product! There’s
nothing better than walking into your home at night to the
flickering flame and gentle warmth of your gas fireplace or
stove. If you’re thinking of buying one, there are many
questions you need answered.
Q. How safe is a natural gas fireplace?
A. Like any appliance that uses fire, there is always a
chance that an accident can happen. That being said, gas
appliances, installed safely, come with a variety of safety
features such as automatic shut-off valves, oxygen depletion
sensors and ceramic glass.
Q. Is a gas fireplace/stove anything like a gas furnace?
A. The biggest difference between a gas fireplace/stove and a
furnace is that a gas fireplace heats a space directly and a
furnace heats the whole house through ducts. Fireplaces look
beautiful and give the ambiance and sense of well-being.
Q. What gas fuels are available for me to use?
A. There are two fuels, natural gas and propane. Natural gas
is piped into homes. Propane, or liquid propane gas, is trucked
in and stored in tanks.
Q. Can a gas fireplace or stove heat as well as my wood
stove?
A. There are many variables, but the answer is yes, if you
want one to. You can get a big BTU gas fireplace, stove or
insert to heat much of your home, or you can get a smaller unit
to heat only one room.
Q. How can I get the right size gas fireplace or stove?
A. The size fireplace/stove you need is based on the amount
of space you want to heat, the amount of insulation, the number
and efficiency of windows, existing heating system and the
average outdoor temperatures. A hearth professional at your
local fireplace shop can help you choose the correct size.
Q. What is a BTU (British Thermal Unit)?
A. It is the amount of heat required to raise a pound of
water one degree Fahrenheit. If a fireplace is rated at 20,000
BTUs; it will burn, at full fire, 20,000 BTUs (input) of gas in
one hour. Your space, however, will not receive the full 20,000
BTUs worth of gas. A certain amount of heat ends up in your
space (output); the rest is lost to vents and chimneys.
Q. What does the amount of BTUs mean to me?
A. First, to keep you warm, cozy and comfortable, you should
have 10,000 –14,000 BTUs of heat output. Second, the amount of
BTUs you use determines the cost of your fuel. You can calculate
your fuel cost by knowing the amount of BTUs a stove or
fireplace burns per hour. There are 100,000 BTUs in a therm of
natural gas (your cost is calculated by the number of therms you
use). A gallon of propane has about 92,000 BTUs (your cost is
calculated by the number of gallons you use).
Q. Will a gas fireplace help me save on my heating bill?
A. Yes and no. It depends on the kind of fireplace you
choose, how it works and how you use your furnace. A
heater-rated gas fireplace is capable of saving money and very
comfortably heating a space if it is sized correctly. Put it in
the room you use the most. Turn the furnace down low and let the
rest of the house get cool. You should save money. Do you have a
room you’d love to use but it’s too cold to be comfortable in
it? Put a fireplace there, turn down the furnace and enjoy the
room. You’ll save money on your heating bill. Some gas
fireplaces look gorgeous, but are decorative. They use a lot of
gas to make their beautiful flames, but they aren’t engineered
to heat. If you install a decorative fireplace, you’ll enjoy the
ambiance and realism, but you won’t save money.
Q. What is zone heating and can it save heating costs?
A. Rather than using a furnace to heat the entire house, you
directly heat different spaces in your home. You put a gas
fireplace or stove where you spend the most time. You heat the
room with it and turn down the heat in the rest of the house.
You could heat your home with gas fireplaces in different zones
or spaces, using them when you use the space and turning them
down when you don’t. That’s zone heating, and it will save on
your heating costs. With zone heating, there is no heat loss
through the ducts. It will also give you pleasure to look at
and feel it.
Q. Can I use my gas fireplace if the electricity goes out?
A. It depends on the fireplace. If a fireplace has a fan in
it, the fan distributes the heat better than not. However, it
will still give you heat if the power goes out. Some fireplaces
produce radiant heat and/or natural convected heat; they don’t
need fans and will work just as well when the power fails. Other
fireplaces have electric ignition systems; when the power goes
out, the fireplace will turn off unless they have battery
backup.
Q. What is radiant heat?
A. Radiant heat is heat that penetrates. It’s like the heat
from the sun. You will feel more comfortable at a lower
temperature with radiant heat.
Q. What is convected heat?
A. Convected heat is heat that is blown either naturally or
with a fan. It spreads around a space, even into small corners.
Q. Can I turn my gas fireplace/stove on with the click of a
button?
A. Yes, once the pilot is on, most fireplaces can be turned
on by a button, thermostat or remote control.
Q. Is it hard to light the pilot?
A. Not really. Some fireplaces have automatic ignitions; you
can push a button to light your fireplace/stove. Most are not
automatic. When you buy a fireplace, ask for a demonstration.
Follow the instructions in your manual to light the pilot.
Q. Can I leave my pilot on all year?
A. You can, but it wastes gas and money and puts heat into an
already warm room on a hot summer day.
Q. Do I need to have my chimney cleaned?
A. When you have your fireplace installed, if it is to be
vented into a chimney, the chimney may need to be cleaned. After
that you don’t need to clean your chimney, but you should have
your fireplace or stove serviced every year.
Q. Can I install my gas fireplace myself?
A. No, it must be installed by a trained, and, in some cases,
certified installer.
Q. Is a gas fireplace/stove vented like a woodstove?
A. There are different venting systems for gas fireplaces. A
B-vent is vented up through the roof (or through an existing
chimney). A direct vent fireplace/stove can be vented
horizontally out of the wall behind it. It can also be vented up
or out and up. Venting is versatile; you can find the venting
system you need for almost any spot in your home.
Q. Do I need a blower?
A. It depends on the fireplace. Ask your hearth professional
which models use blowers and which don’t.
Q. How is the heat output controlled?
A. Many ways. You can usually turn the flame manually up and
down. You can also turn the gas/flames on or off. Some models
have thermostats that keep your space at a fairly steady
temperature. Some models also have programmable timers.
Q. I have a fireplace that just doesn’t put out any heat. How
can I make it heat better?
A. Ask your local hearth professional. You probably have a
decorative. Your option is to remove it and replace it with a
heater-rated fireplace.
Q. Should I buy a gas fireplace, insert or stove?
A. If you have a wood fireplace, put a gas insert into it.
Otherwise, put in a fireplace or stove whichever satisfies your
fashion style.
Q. Will my children get burned if they touch the
fireplace/stove?
A. If they touch the glass, they will be burned. Stoves may
get hot on the outside, as well as the glass. Many fireplaces
now come with screens that protect you and your children from
burns. Children should never, however, play around a fireplace
or stove.
Q. Will the value of my home increase by installing a gas
fireplace/stove?
A. A 2005 study funded by the National Association of
Realtors and conducted by Florida State University found that
the price of a home increases by 12% by adding a fireplace.
Wood
|
Pellet
|
Gas
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