Casual use open burning fireplaces are not efficient and require frequent fire tending. The oversize fireplace flue sweeps the firebox heat up the flue. Even worse, the draft of the fireplace gathers up the heated room air as well. A few hours of casual fireplace use can force your central heating system to work harder and cost you money!

Installing glass doors on your fireplace will stop the fireplace draft from sucking the heated room air up the flue so the glass doors will make your fireplace less inefficient but does not add any new efficiency.

Installing a high efficiency fireplace insert will turn your fireplace into a heating appliance with at least 75% efficiency. Understanding your options and having good measurements in hand are important when you visit your local hearth store.

CHIMNEY Determine the condition of your chimney. All chimneys should be professionally evaluated and upgraded as required. Insert installations require that the chimney be approved to current codes, clean and in working condition. If you have an existing wood burning fireplace that is manufactured with an air cooled metal chimney system, a wood burning insert may not an option open to you. Check closely with the manfuacturer's guidelines.

CHIMNEY LINERS Fireplace chimney flues are oversized by design. Most wood inserts will require an inner liner or stainless steel sleeve to be installed if the existing flue liner is larger than 7” x 11”. All gas inserts require inner liners. Liners for wood and liners for gas are constructed of different materials and sizes.

ELECTRIC REQUIREMENT Inserts use electric blowers to extract and distribute the heat from the firebox. A nearby electric outlet is required. To eliminate the exposed cord from the surround you may wish to have an electrician install a hidden outlet.

FUEL SUPPLY Gas fired inserts require a gas line installed into the firebox and an outside propane storage tank if natural gas is not your option. Think about snow removal when positioning the propane tank. Homeowners must provide access to the tank after the winter snows. Wood inserts require a storage area where the wood will be dry and accessible for refueling and you also need to provide a safe method to dispose of wood ashes.

SIZING Inserts are sold as two or more components: the insert or firebox plus a surround panel and sometimes an optional front. The insert must physically fit into the firebox. Fireplaces with tapered fireboxes or slanted back firewalls can be difficult to accommodate. The surround panel is designed to cover the gap between the insert and the actual fireplace opening size. Surround panels are offered in differing sizes and styles giving one insert several options.

CLEARANCES Each product is tested and listed to minimum clearances from combustible top and side fireplace trim as well as from combustible mantles. The dimensional depth of the facing trim and of the depth of mantle is important factor when measuring.

HEARTH EXTENSION All wood inserts require the hearth to extend beyond the insert opening. Some units require that the hearth extension meet a certain R factor. Many gas inserts also require a hearth extension. These are stated distances in the product manual.

Instead of requiring an exterior or interior chimney which has to be run through the entire house and out the roof, a gas fireplace uses a direct vent. Direct vent fireplaces have an opening on the exterior wall which allows for air to be drawn in, while at the same time provides an exhaust outlet for harmful gases given off when the fireplace is being ran. This direct vent feature allows you to place gas fireplaces throughout your entire home in just about any room.

Gas Fireplaces Can Be Used to Convert From Wood Burning Fireplaces

When you use gas fireplaces, like those available here at Copperfield Chimney Supply, to convert existing wood burning fireplaces, you may need to install a special chimney to allow for the exhaust of gases and proper intake of fresh air. Another option is to seal the existing chimney opening on the roof and above the existing fireplace and convert it to a direct vent instead.

Fireplace inserts are reliable, modern ways to update your masonry fireplace. A fireplace insert is, basically, a wood stove version of your brick fireplace that slides right into your existing fireplace opening. With very little time and effort, it is quite easily installed and can provide your home with a revitalized look.

Check our selection of quality fireplace inserts

Video on how to clean your fireplace glass

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All fireplaces start with a good operating and well maintained chimney. Using your fireplace when there is a build-up of creosote is very dangerous and can lead to a chimney fire also resulting in a full blown house fire. How do you know if you have a creosote build-up? Well, the easiest way is to call your local chimney sweep. If you are handy and physically able to climb on your roof, you can co the inspection and possible cleaning yourself.

Most hardware stores and fireplace shops have square and round brushed along with flexible rods to make the chimney cleaning job as easy as possible. Of course you will want to protect the area around the fireplace with a plastic drop cloth or something similar. The black soot that comes from your fireplace and chimney is very hard to remove from carpet and other areas around your fireplace.. Always be on the lookout for any type of rodent nest in your chimney. Some may require professional removal.

While you're on the roof, carefully examine the chimney structure to assure there are not mortar cracks or bricks displaced. If there are cracks in the motor, you can easily fix with new mortar. Also inspect for any water damage inside the attic indicating you have a flashing leak around the chimney.

Once you have cleaned the chimney from the top down, its time to go inside. A good heavy duty shop vacuum will greatly assist with the inside cleaning. Clean all areas in and around the firebox, including shoving the vacuum hose up the chimney to the area around the damper, with the damper fully open. A flash light and a mirror will be helpful in determining if you have the system clean. Once all that is done, carefully remove the tarp that you previously placed on the hearth so as to contain any soot or materials dropped from the chimney.

Does your chimney have a cap? If not, you should get one placed on he chimney as soon as possible. The cap covers the chimney keeping out bird and other animals as well as rain, snow while keeping any sparks in.

Finally, if your inspection shows that your chimney is not tile lined or the liner has many cracks and chips, you should consider a liner. A stainless steel chimney liner will make your chimney system much safer and also makes cleaning much easier. You can install chimney liners yourself, the materials can be purchased here.

With colder weather taking hold and the official start of winter less than a week away, the Department of Environmental Protection is urging New Jersey's residents to be thoughtful of their neighbors when burning wood for heat. More