Do Fireplace Inserts Pay Off?
An insert is essentially a steel or casts iron-enclosed fireproof box. This box has self-cleaning insulated glass on the front. Either an existing fireplace or a recently constructed fireplace construction is used to house the insert.
Many homeowners who want to preserve the charm of their classic fireplace while increasing both its fuel efficiency and heat output opt for fireplace inserts.
Traditional fireplaces are not as effective as fireplace inserts. The closed combustion system created by a fireplace insert is what accounts for the higher efficiency. In a closed combustion system, the appliance draws air from an outside source for combustion, circulates the hot air, and lets it exit through a duct (commonly referred to as a flue). This method enables clean burning of the fuel of your choice and maximum heat output.
Utilizing an existing fireplace is the main benefit of installing a wood stove insert rather than a stand-alone stove, but there are other advantages as well. It is unquestionably more efficient to install a stove insert into an existing brick or stone fireplace than to place a stand-alone device inside the space. If the fireplace is an original component of the building, this is because of the materials’ insulation properties. Keep in mind that decreased operating costs for heating your home result from better heat efficiency.
A high-quality wood-burning stove that fits into an existing fireplace and chimney is called a wood stove insert. A wood stove insert, which functions as a solid fuel space heater, must be carefully positioned inside a chimney. Only a trained installation specialist should perform this. Instead of being utilized as a cook stove to prepare meals, this sort of stove is only used for heating.
Making sure your fireplace insert is expertly placed is the most crucial factor. Both your safety and the efficiency of your heating system depend on the appropriate installation. You may get assistance from the Local Chimney Cleaning Berkeley experts at Local Chimney Sweep Cleaning by having the structure of your current fireplace inspected to see if it can support an insert.
You should handle some of the glass or metal components of your insert carefully since they can get hot to the touch. However, new “Safe Touch” technologies are being used in many fireplace inserts to maintain extremely low temperatures on glass surfaces.
The amount of smoke that a typical fireplace produces inside your home and releases into the environment is a drawback. The mixture of chemicals and particles in the smoke from a typical fireplace can harm your eyes and respiratory system. The fuel burns considerably cleaner and produces less smoke when you install an insert in your fireplace, whether it’s made of gas, pellets, or EPA-certified wood.
Last but not least, remember that even if your chimney is functional, your wood stove insert still needs the appropriate floor protection. This might not be the case if the fireplace has been emptied, altered, or utilized for exhibition. A professional should be consulted to ensure that your fireplace satisfies the appropriate standards. A small number of materials, such as concrete slabs, prefabricated Approved Stove Boards, ceramic tiles, or stone, are approved for this use.