You may love the sensory experiences that your older masonry fireplace gives you with its crackling fires, but you probably do not love the cold drafts and higher heating bills you have every winter. Unfortunately, most of the heat produced by the fire exits out of the chimney because traditional fireplaces just are not very efficient. If you are tired of your heating costs increasing each winter, Winston’s Chimney Service has a solution. We can install a new fireplace insert into your old masonry fireplace that will save you money and provide much more heat to your home. These inserts are so efficient that HouseLogic reports that you can save up to 40 percent on your heating bills. We would like to tell you more about the options you have when it comes to fireplace inserts to help you decide if this option is right for you.
WOOD-BURNING INSERTS
For those who insist on having a real wood fire, wood-burning fireplace inserts are an excellent choice. Basically a wood stove without legs, our certified fireplace experts will install this insert into the space of your masonry fireplace, as well as install a new stainless steel liner that matches the size of your insert. Most models of wood-burning inserts are equipped with fans that will circulate heated air throughout your home. These inserts also burn wood much more cleanly and are certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency because they do not produce as much pollution as traditional fireplaces do. However, if you have a prefab fireplace, this type of insert cannot safely work as prefab chimneys are not made to withstand the high temperatures produced by burning wood.
GAS INSERTS
If convenience is important to you, you should consider a gas fireplace insert. You will not have to worry about the chores that come with burning wood, and you will be able to ignite a fire by using the remote control from your couch. This type of insert works very well for zone heating, which can significantly lower your heating costs. If you are concerned about the appearance of the fire, Winston’s Chimney Service can show you how realistic the flames look in the gas fireplace inserts we offer.
PELLET INSERTS
The fuel for this type of fireplace insert are wooden pellets, which are bits of compressed recycled wood shavings, and this makes pellet fireplace inserts the best choice for the environmentally conscious. They are also among the cleanest burning heating appliances. These inserts are very easy to operate as you simply load the hopper with pellets, set the thermostat, and turn the insert on. Electricity is required for pellet fireplace inserts to operate, so you could be without heat if a strong winter storm knocks out your power.
Save money and energy by upgrading your old masonry fireplace to a fireplace insert. Contact us at Winston’s Chimney Services to find out how you can cut your heating costs while enjoying more heat.