Wood-burning fireplaces are an excellent way to add a beautiful and cozy touch to your home. wood heaters They’re also highly efficient heaters that can reduce your energy bill by a significant amount.
But before you go out and buy a wood burning insert, it’s important to know what type of wood-burning fireplace is best for your needs. There are two main types: traditional masonry fireplaces and low-mass wood-burning stoves.
The first type is a traditional masonry fireplace, typically built by a mason in your home. The second is a low-mass wood stove, which is engineered and built in a factory prior to being installed in your home.
Inbuilt wood fireplaces are an alternative to open masonry fireplaces and allow you to enjoy the warmth of a roaring fire without the expense and hassle of buying new masonry and installing a chimney. They can be installed into existing masonry or metal hearths with the help of a certified installer.
Choose an EPA-certified model for cleaner air and less pollution. You can find models with a refractory liner that will prevent particulate matter from entering your home.
A refractory liner helps to keep your air clean and safe by preventing dust and particulates from getting into the air around your fireplace. The refractory liner also acts as a heat shield to prevent your firebox from overheating and creating smoke and other dangerous pollutants.
The refractory liner is also beneficial to your health, reducing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from burning logs. And because it can trap a large amount of heat, it can help you get more use out of your logs by keeping them burning longer.
Make sure you clean your chimney regularly, as well as your venting system. This will help prevent ash, dust and creosote buildup that can be a fire hazard and may even lead to a chimney fire.
It’s important to check your damper, the movable plate over the fireplace that sits just above the flue. If it’s not working properly, or if you notice debris stuck in it, it’s time to call a professional to get it checked out and cleaned up.
Another aspect of your chimney that you should be concerned about is ensuring there’s enough clearance to allow for the installation of an insert. Some masonry fireplaces have thicker lintel areas and narrow smoke chambers that don’t leave enough space for a wood-burning insert to fit within the opening.
You should also ensure you have enough room for a venting liner between the flue collar and your damper area on your fireplace. If there isn’t, you will need to have a professional install a venting liner before you can install your wood-burning insert.
There are many different types of wood-burning stoves, including EPA-certified, decorative (EPA exempt) and non-catalytic. If you’re planning on using your stove as a primary source of heating, it’s best to get one that is EPA-certified. EPA-certified fireplaces are required to emit less than 2.0 grams per hour of particulate matter. Alternatively, you can opt for a wood-burning stove that is non-catalytic and has a double burn, mixing hot air with reburned gasses and particulates for a more efficient and clean burn.