Fireplaces can wear out over time and continued use when not properly maintained. Many older homes which were built with fireplaces get unused because of their lack of energy efficiency. Instead of heating the home, all your warm air can get sucked out the chimney and cold air is drawn into the home instead. In either case, you can look at fireplace inserts which fit into existing fireplaces, which are self-contained, modern, and energy efficient.

Fireplace Inserts Can Be Used to Convert a Traditional Fireplace

There are different types of fireplace inserts which you can use to convert a traditional fireplace. You can use gas inserts in both wood and gas fireplace setups. When converting from wood to gas, you may need to run a new chimney within the existing chimney as well as a natural gas line. You will find both gas and wood burning inserts available on our website, here at Copperfield Chimney Supply, as well as other quality hearth products for your entire home.

If you are looking for class and style then look no further than Napoleon stoves. With a size to fit any room, glass windows for a perfect picturesque flame view and cast iron look, one of these beautifully designed stoves are sure to catch your eye. Ranging from black to a subdued brown and your choice of pedestal or four-legged design, everyone is sure to find a model to suit their taste.

Napoleon Stoves Come in Various Fuel Types

Being confined to one fuel source is not a concern for Napoleon stoves. They offer models in all three of the most popular fuel sources gas, wood and pellet. There is also no reason to suffer from a lack of design choice just because you prefer a certain fuel type. They offer large selection of the best styles no matter your fuel preference. Visit them today at www.woodstoves-fireplaces.com to view their selection.

A natural gas fireplace is like a magnet in most homes - they encourage people to gather because they are warm and comforting. This is especially true when the temperatures begin to drop outside. Be aware of the potential so that the entire family can spend time together safely.

Never use your natural gas fireplace if the glass panel is removed, cracked or broken. Don't try to replace the panel by yourself, hire a licensed technician instead.

Ensure that the chimney or vent is clear of any debris to be sure that the fireplace is receiving enough fresh air intake to burn efficiently.

Young children should never be left unsupervised around gas fireplaces. Many children burn their hands and fingers from contact with the glass barrier at the front of the gas fireplaces. Burns can happen when toddlers fall towards the gas fireplace, and push up against the hot glass for balance or touch the glass out of curiosity, resulting in serious third degree burns.

The glass barrier can heat up to over 200oC in about six minutes during use, and takes 45 minutes to cool to a safe temperature after the fire has been switched off.

Take a few simple steps to keep children safe.

Create a barrier around the gas fireplace. Safety guards can be installed to keep children at a safe distance at all times. Or use safety door gates to keep children out of the room the fireplace is in.

Consider not using the fireplace if you have children less than five years old in your home. Or, use it only after children have gone to sleep.

During the hot summer months, the last thing you want to do is to prepare meals indoors in your kitchen. The extra heat given off by your stove and other appliances can increase the indoor temperatures and make your air conditioner run even longer. Instead, you can prepare your entire meals outdoors on your own gas grill. Modern styles of gas grills come complete with large cooking areas, food prep space and even built in side burners and griddles.

Choosing Features on Gas Grills Which Fit Your Own Personal Usage

When choosing your next new gas grill you need to determine which features and options are most beneficial for your own personal usage. Gas grills come in all different sizes giving you the ability to get one which is large enough to roast a whole turkey. You also need to decide whether you want a built-in unit or a portable unit. You will find Vermont Castings grills for your outdoor patio area available from us, here at Copperfield Chimney Supply.

Duravent makes all types of gas fireplace and stove venting kits for use with your installation. Depending upon the model of gas stove or fireplace, you may only require a direct vent be installed on the exterior wall of your home. When the installation is in the interior of the home, you will need to run a chimney either to an exterior wall or out through your roof.

Get Duravent Products at the Same Time You Get Your Gas Fireplace

When you purchase a brand new gas stove or fireplace, you will want to make sure you also purchase all of your Duravent venting and piping needs at the same time. You can get assistance from us, here at Copperfield Chimney Supply when you need further help in getting everything you require for your new gas appliance. You can call us toll free, or click on our online chat feature and we will assist you into finding the right piping and venting.

We spend, on average, roughly 90% of our time indoors, where concentrations of pollutants can be up to five times higher than they are outdoors. For those of us burning wood indoors, this can be particularly concerning, but the good news is that by using a wood stove rather than an open fireplace, you’re already breathing in far fewer pollutants, and many of the steps you take to keep your stove eco-friendly will also help minimize the level of pollutants in your home. That said, it’s important to be aware of the effects of wood smoke and what you can do to improve your indoor air quality when you use a wood stove.

The Effects Of Burning Wood In The Home

When we breathe in wood smoke, we inhale pollutants and small particles, which can cause irritation to the lungs and eyes, and exacerbate breathing difficulties like bronchitis and asthma. Heavy exposure in the long term can lead to heart difficulties and reduced lung function, particularly in infants and older adults.

There are a few steps you can take to reduce the amount of toxins you breathe in from wood smoke. Improving filtration and ventilation is key , as this exchanges stale air for fresh air. Air conditioning systems filter indoor air to remove airborne particles , and some also act as air purifiers - make sure you understand the parts and functions of your unit, and install air purifiers if yours doesn’t have one. Clean HEPA filters regularly, and monitor the air quality with an indoor air monitor, which will alert you if there’s a reduction of the quality of the air in your home.

Keep Your Wood Stove Clean And Well-Maintained

Ensure that your wood stove is certified by the EPA - modern stoves are cleaner and more efficient, and this certification is required, but if you’re using a very old stove, it may be time to upgrade. Modern stoves burn less wood than older stoves, and reduce the amount of wood smoke emitted.

Ensure that any air leaks are sealed and insulated, and have your stove serviced regularly. The chimney, too, should be swept once a year to clear out creosote and pollutants. As well as keeping your air quality at its best, this will ensure the safety of your stove.

Using Your Stove For Optimum Air Quality

To keep pollutants to a minimum, burn only dry, natural wood. Damp wood doesn’t burn as easily, and will produce much more smoke , as well as generating less heat. Stack split wood off the ground for six months to a year to season it, keeping it covered with plenty of room for air flow. Cracking at the ends of the logs will show you when the wood is dry. Dry wood should also make a hollow sound when two logs are knocked against each other. You can use a moisture meter to check that the wood is dry enough - moisture content should have dropped to 15-20% before burning.

When you’re building your fire, stack larger logs at the bottom, followed by smaller logs topped with sticks or wood chips. When you’re lighting the stove, light the top of the pile. Keep the fire hot, as this produces a cleaner fire with little visible smoke.

Because a wood stove keeps the fire contained, it causes far less problems for indoor air quality than an open fireplace. However, in order to keep the air quality of your home as clean as possible, it’s important to keep your stove well maintained and pay attention to the moisture content of the wood you’re burning. Doing this will also reduce the stove’s environmental impact, and keep it burning at its most efficient level.