For people interested in enhancing the look and feel of an existing
wood burning fireplace, the hearth industry has great news. It's now
easier than ever before to increase the efficiency of a fireplace by
adding a fireplace insert. The installation of a fireplace insert can
turn an occasional source of warmth into a convenient and easy-to-use
supplemental zone heater that can help control high home heating bills
while protecting winter air quality.
Fireplace Insert Basics
Fireplace
inserts are designed to enhance the operation and appearance of an
existing wood burning fireplace, whether masonry or factory-built.
Categorized primarily by the fuel burned for operation (natural gas,
propane, EPA-certified wood, pellet and coal), a fireplace insert is
installed into an existing wood burning fireplace. Fireplace inserts
are made from cast iron or steel and have self-cleaning glass doors
that allow the dancing flames of the fire to be viewed while the
insulated doors remain closed, making the fire more efficient. Many
manufacturers also augment the operation of fireplace inserts by
offering state-of-the-art features such as fans and thermostatic
controls (depending on the fuel).
Enhanced Efficiency
Almost
all North Americans with older wood burning fireplaces can benefit from
the installation of a fireplace insert. Generally, older fireplaces
have efficiency ratings of just five to ten percent. This low
efficiency is due to the open combustion design that allows an
abundance of heated room air to be drawn into the fire, causing the
fire to burn too fast and wasting energy. In contrast, a fireplace
insert is an insulated, closed-door system that slows the fire down and
increases the temperature of the fire to facilitate more complete
combustion. This closed combustion system can assist in generating
efficiencies of above 65 percent in many cases which can translate into
more heat output. And, when it comes to burning wood, an EPA-certified
wood burning fireplace insert can also reduce emissions from wood
burning to almost zero.
Variety of Fuel Options
Determining
which fuel type to select when purchasing a fireplace insert depends on
the cost and availability of the fuel, the desired efficiency and heat
output, as well as the level of maintenance requirements and the
desired appearance of the fire by the user. While most fireplace
inserts manufactured today are extremely efficient, the choice is often
dictated by a person's individual needs.
Selecting a Fireplace Insert
Much
like any other appliance, it is important to spend the time to choose a
fireplace insert that fits your needs and your lifestyle, whether more
formal or relaxed. Before making a final decision, visit a specialty
retailer for experienced advice. A specialty retailer is a trained
fireplace insert specialist. He or she can arrange for the safe and
reliable installation of a fireplace insert by a certified professional
installer. These experts are also the best source of information about
how to correctly operate a fireplace insert, and can suggest a proper
maintenance program.
