"I have a file that says 'chimney'," said Bonnie Ford, a professional organizer, who got a fast education about chimneys at her former home in Fair Lawn.

Her nightmare began last October, about six weeks after Hurricane Irene slammed New Jersey and around the time chill blankets the air. As the seasons shift, many people, including Ford, have their chimneys and fireplaces checked in preparation for winter fires.

Not remembering her previous chimney sweep from a few years before, Ford took advantage of a $29.99 coupon from SuperCoups. The sweep came, and her husband remained home while she went to the supermarket.

By the time she got home from ShopRite an hour later, her chimney had been dismantled, lying on the ground. The sweep had told her husband that there was extensive brick damage caused by the hurricane, and the chimney was structurally unsafe. The routine cleaning ultimately morphed into a rebuild of the exterior chimney for which, Ford said, the sweep wanted $24,000.

Industry professionals say there are many misconceptions about chimneys and fireplaces, and whether you are an owner or a buyer or seller, you need to be proactive: educate yourself about your chimney and its maintenance, and conduct due diligence to avoid scams in this unregulated industry.

Last month, the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs filed suit in Superior Court in Hackensack against two Bergen County-based home improvement companies, AAA Reliable Inc. and Old Reliable Construction LLC. The suit alleges that company workers would falsely tell customers they had serious chimney problems, costing hundreds or thousands of dollars to repair. In a few instances, workers allegedly damaged chimneys and roofs intentionally, creating hazardous conditions which had not previously existed.

The companies allegedly targeted senior citizens, many of whom were among the more than 50 complainants. The companies agreed to temporary restraints, which essentially stopped them from operating and advertising while the case is pending, said Jeff Lamm, spokesman for the DCA. Attorneys for the companies did not respond to a request for comment.

"Unfortunately, the chimney industry in the state of New Jersey is quite a disaster," said Michael Segerstrom, owner of Bridgewater Chimney Sweeps and past president of the New Jersey Chimney Sweep Guild.

He said there was legislation proposed several years ago to regulate the industry, but it needed to be rewritten.

"It's still floating around but hasn't made it back to committee," said Segerstrom, who is also a board member of the Chimney Safety Institute of America, a nationally recognized non-profit educational organization.

Many variations

Segerstrom said people would be amazed at how many schemes and strategies are out there.

"The only way to get rid of bad chimney sweeps is public awareness," he said.

In the Fords' case, though they asked several times how much the completed job would cost, the sweep said he would not know for sure until he had dismantled the chimney. Several times, she said, he told them, "Don't worry. Insurance will pay for it."

They gave him a $1,000 cash deposit and put $10,000 on her credit card toward the additional work. But when he quoted $24,000 for the rebuild, "I flipped out," she said.

"I said to him, 'Before you touch another brick, I want a second estimate,' " she said.

Over the next few days, she found several chimney cleaning businesses that had different names but the same address as the chimney sweep who had come to her home.

"This is when I started to get a little bit of brains," said Ford.

Within 72 hours of his being at her house and getting a permit for the work, she got three other estimates — ranging from $10,000 to $15,000 — and stopped the credit card payment.

"He didn't even fight it," she said.

By now everyone who heats with wood should have their wood bin full. The wood you burn this year should have been cut last year or in early spring at the latest. Seasoned wood is a must for optimum heat. If the wood still is green it takes more heat to get the water out and will heat your home less. Also the water in the wood makes for creosote build up in the chimney. Speaking of chimneys, by this time you also should have cleaned your chimney or had a professional do it. More

Napoleon fireplaces come in all different styles and types to fit your home improvement needs. Wood burning fireplaces are available to update and modernize your home and require a chimney or other venting. If your home is newer, you may not have a chimney and can use a direct vent fireplace instead. This type burns natural or propane gas and is directly vented through the outside wall and requires no chimney.

Eventually, you fireplace can look old and dirty from soot and other contaminants in the fuel you burn. Cracked mortar, missing caulking and other deterioration are common. Redoing your fireplace can provide an instant update to the entire room, transforming the unit into a focal point of the room.

Fireplaces covered with a significant amount of dust and soot make then look old an dingy. Start by removing charred logs, ashes and soot from the interior fire box. Also remove any soot from the exterior surfaces. A shop vacuum is a handy tool for removing the ashes and other debris. There are commercial products available for cleaning the brick surfaces. Repair cracks with approved mortar and you can even completely reline your firebox if necessary.

Repainting the metal area around the front of the fireplace will also add to the overall appearance of the fireplace. Commercially available hi-temperature paints come in a variety of colors to enhance the look. Resurfacing the area around the firebox is another way to spruce up the old look. Wood and marble surrounds are available from a multitude of suppliers.

Installing a decorative mantel shelf above the fireplace adds a visual interest to the room. There are a number of creative designs of mantel shelves available. When using a wood mantel, make sure to check the fireplace installation manual and observe the proper clearance to combustibles.

You can also decorate your fireplace with new accessories for little cost. Artwork above your fireplace can provide a very appealing look. Potted greenery, decorative pots, candlesticks or fresh flowers can add color and texture to the space. Many homeowners choose to add a flat screen TV above the fireplace. Again, make sure you are observing he correct clearances and do not subject the TV to high temperatures.

Fireside Chat

By Larissa Lytwyn/Life@Home

As nights sharpen from brisk to downright cold, it’s time to move inside for warmth. “You can’t beat the feeling of curling up in front of a big crackling fire with someone you love,” says Matt Thornton of Saratoga Fireplace and Stove. But with all the options out there — inside, outside, wood-burning, gas and pellet — what is the best, most economical choice?

While the answer ultimately depends on the homeowner’s needs, the experts we talked to spoke most positively of flexible gas fireplaces and stoves, and eco-friendly pellet options.

Going for the Gas
Although “safe is a relative term I avoid using, I would describe a gas appliance as a more controllable (one),” says Carl Celella, general manager of Northeastern Fireplace and Design in Selkirk. “The most detrimental thing I see is that they’re installed incorrectly.” He recommends buyers use an interior gas hearth specialist certified by the National Fireplace Institute for installation. “Another thing to be careful of is having a protective screen in front of the glass,” Celella says, because it can get dangerously hot. This is especially important if you have small children.

Thornton agrees that gas fireplaces are “more flexible … and can be installed in many places you could not put woodburning fireplaces.” Where a traditional-style, open fireplace requires a vertical vented chimney system, for instance, a direct vent gas fireplace can vent horizontally.

Strapped on Time? Avoid Wood
Thornton says that if you’ve got the time, burning wood “can be a good cost-savings, but you’re trading sweat for savings.” And then there’s the mess from dragging in insects and bark with your wood, splitting wood, cleaning up ash — to name just a few of the myriad duties. Busier people, then, might choose a gas fireplace or pellet stove for its cost-efficiency. “Gas requires little active input from the consumer as long as it’s serviced regularly by a qualified technician,” he says.

Bottom line? “The only benefit of an open fireplace is that it’s aesthetically pleasing,” Celella says, with a timeless romantic appeal. But with modern gas-options available, it’s also the least practical.

Warming Up to Pellet Stoves
Pellet stoves are freestanding appliances that don’t require a chimney. They burn compressed wood pellets (grains including corn work, too!) to create heat. By slowly feeding fuel from a storage container (called a hopper), they create a constant flame and are low-maintenance, controlled by the thermostat. In lieu of a chimney, they use a specially sealed exhaust pipe to prevent exhaust gasses from escaping into the living space. They can also be used as inserts into existing fireplaces

In states including New York, the 75 percent efficient Harman stove is eligible for a tax credit of up to 30 percent of the cost of the appliance, plus labor. “Pellets are great for cost savings, except they’re dependent on electricity, so they’re not much help in a power outage,” Thornton says. Thornton also says the air patterns and close-quarters of a space like a bedroom might not be the best idea for a pellet.

Still, “Harman (pellet) stoves are the most intelligent, best performing stove on the market,” says Lucas Stritsman, manager of Best Fire Hearth and Patio, with locations in Albany and Troy. Not surprisingly, they’re an increasingly popular option. “Everybody is looking to cut down on their fuel bill,” Celella says, “and (pellets) can be a way to do it.”

Toasty All Night Long
Everyone knows the benefits of natural gas over electric, but what are some other cost-cutting, heat-maximizing options for winter?

Install optimal thermostats. Avoid walking into a frosty home by installing an optimal thermostat, Celella says. Pre-programmed to keep your temperature “even,” it will help save money in the long run.
Buy Ecofans. Specially designed for wood stoves, ecofans create their own electricity from the heat of the stove. Each fan can move air up to 150 CFM.
Keep your stove windows slightly open. Thornton says you can conserve heat by keeping your stove windows slightly ajar, containing heat.
Invest in seal-tight dampers. Celella says seal-tight fireplace dampers are an excellent way to prevent heat loss. If your damper produces a noticeable draft (escaping air), purchase a seal-tight one to ensure maximum efficiency.

Shop Fireplaces Here

When choosing a model or particular style of fireplace you will need to decide between wood burning and gas designs. While gas fireplaces can cost more to operate they do provide many features and conveniences not found with wood burning models. Gas units do not require a chimney and can be directly vented outdoors, which makes placing them in any area of the home possible. Since there is no chimney, there also is no buildup of by-products over time which must be cleaned out on a regular basis.

Shop for Gas Fireplaces Online with Free Delivery

When you are looking for gas fireplaces for your home, then you need to shop here at Copperfield Chimney Supply. We carry quality hearth products for the entire home and offer a variety of gas fireplace models for you to choose from to pick the one that best matches your home's décor. We offer free free delivery on all orders over $500, so your fireplace ships right to your home.