Tips on Saving Money with Wood Inserts

Many people still love a fireplace for the ambiance it creates in any room, in any home. However, traditional wood-burning fireplaces are a lot of work, and they provide uneven heating. There is, however, a good option for modern homeowners that gives them the wonderful atmosphere from a real fire without all the hassle. Wood fireplace inserts are becoming increasingly popular. Here are some tips on saving money with wood inserts. 

What is a wood insert? 

A wood insert is generally a steel or cast iron box that is installed in an existing fireplace. Wood inserts burn real logs but often have glass doors, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of the flames and focusing the heat. 

They increase energy efficiency. 

Wood inserts have a closed design that regulates the amount of air in the box, allowing the fire to burn slowly and preventing heat from escaping up the chimney. In fact, wood inserts with closed glass doors can boost energy efficiency ratings to 60 percent or more. 

They reduce overall home heating costs. 

Well-designed fireplace inserts that have been professionally installed can reduce heating costs by as much as 20 percent to 40 percent. 

Wood inserts can reduce heating expenses and offer homeowners real savings over time while offering the beauty and magic of a wood-burning fire. Visit this website to learn more about wood inserts in San Diego.

Reasons to Choose Wood Fireplaces

Through the ages, around the world, wood fires have provided light, heat and deep comfort. There is nothing quite like the thrill of seeing the first wisp of smoke when the kindling catches or hearing the snap of wood as the flames dance. There are several reasons why today’s homeowners still choose wood fireplaces. 

Ambiance and Comfort 

Wood fireplaces are archetypal symbols of not only survival but also of belonging. Their life-sustaining heat and light were—and are—important, but just as important is their call to hearth and home that serves as a beacon to weary travelers.

Style 

Wood fireplaces add authentic, unbeatable style to your home’s interior. Group your furniture around one to instantly create a cozy seating area or the perfect reading nook. Nothing can beat the authentic feel, sound and smell of wood. In today’s slick world, the rustic genuineness of a wood fire feeds the soul while it warms the body. 

Inviting Designs 

Wood fireplaces come in numerous designs to add drama and interest to any interior—even business offices. Masonry fireplaces, often made from bricks, look comfortable and inviting, and they encourage intimacy, while metal fireplaces give an industrial look and feel. 

Wood fireplaces offer richness that cannot be duplicated. Visit this website to learn more about wood fireplaces in San Diego.

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How to Maintenance Your Propane Fireplace

More and more homeowners today choose propane fireplaces for their efficiency and convenience. While these fireplaces are easy to use, it is important to remember they require regular maintenance to stay in top condition. Here are some tips on how to maintain your propane fireplace. 

Cleaning

 

Before cleaning a propane fireplace, make sure that the gas is turned off. Generally, the burner and control compartment should operate well with only an annual vacuuming and brushing. To clean the logs, use a soft paint brush as needed to remove debris. 

Venting System 

Check the venting system regularly before using a propane fireplace, especially before the first use at the beginning of a new season. You need to ensure that nothing is clogging the vents. Remove the cap and use a flashlight to thoroughly inspect the vents for birds’ nests or leaves or any loose debris. Also look for any areas that show wear or corrosion. 

Logs 

Inspect the logs regularly, and if any are broken, do not use the fireplace. Make sure all surfaces are cool, and use only recommended replacement logs. Check the positioning of the logs to ensure they meet manufacturers’ guidelines. Otherwise, carbon can build up, and the unit will be damaged. 

Propane fireplaces are easy to use, and with regular maintenance checks, they can give you pleasure for years. Visit this website to learn about a propane fireplace set in La Mesa.

How Gas Inserts can Spruce up Your Home

The romance and magic of fire is timeless. However, traditional wood-burning fireplaces don’t always fit into busy modern lifestyles. Gas fireplace inserts are growing increasingly popular because they make a dwelling beautiful while delivering real cost savings. Gas inserts can spruce up your home in several ways.

Real Heat, True Beauty 

Modern gas inserts produce vital heat that really warms a room while flames flicker with a hypnotic rhythm, all with the flip of a switch. Gas inserts require virtually no maintenance other than an annual check, and they give you the beautiful ambiance created by a crackling fire whenever you want it. 

Cleaner Indoor Air 

Unlike traditional wood fires, gas inserts produce hardly any pollution. There is no messy smoke, ash or creosote to contend with and continually clean up. With clean-burning gas, anyone can enjoy sitting by a fire that has no detrimental health effects. 

Dramatic Home Décor 

A fireplace adds drama to any home. Gas inserts that use propane or natural gas to produce flames suit any décor. They can fit into pre-existing fireplaces or be incorporated into new designs, and they can be fitted with fake logs, decorative glass chips or stones. 

 Increased Energy Efficiency 

Gas inserts are extremely green. In fact, they can boost a home’s efficiency rating and achieve a score between 58 percent to 85 percent. 

Gas fireplace inserts can add beauty to any home. They are easy to use and need little maintenance. Visit this website to learn more about gas inserts in San Diego.

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3 Reasons Electric Fireplaces are Safer for your Family

Through the centuries, a crackling fire has stood for safety, for security and even for life itself. People today still love to sit around a fire and enjoy the ambiance it creates. Wood-burning fireplaces, however, have drawbacks, and safety is one of the modern concerns when it comes to home fireplaces. Electric fireplaces might be a better choice. Here are three reasons why electric fireplaces are safer for your family. 

Children 

Children—and cats—are curious. They explore to learn more about the world, but with fire, this tendency can be dangerous. Unlike wood-burning fireplaces, modern electric fireplaces are actually cool to the touch. There is no fire involved, as the dancing flames are not real. 

Cleaning 

Traditional wood-burning fireplaces require a lot of regular maintenance. The chimney must be kept clear and cleaned, ash must be removed from the hearth and wood must be cut and carried in and stored nearby, which can be a messy affair. Electric fireplaces require absolutely no cleaning. 

Sparks 

When logs in a wood-burning fireplace burn, they send off red-hot embers. Fire screens control sparks to some degree, but not completely. Embers can pop out and burn rugs, clothing, furniture and fur and skin. Electric fireplaces have no such dangers. 

Electric fireplaces eliminate the random chance of many types of dangerous accidents occurring. They are beautiful and require no cleaning. Visit this website for more information about choosing an electric fireplace unit in La Mesa.