Tips for Getting Your Fireplace Ready

With cooler weather upon us, Fireside Hearth & Home, the nation’s largest hearth retailer, urges homeowners to get their fireplace ready for the heating season. By having a professional service the fireplace annually and taking a few proactive steps on their own, homeowners can ensure greater heating efficiency and safety, as well as prolong the life of the unit.

Many homeowners mistakenly believe their fireplace does not require any maintenance. The fact is all fireplace types from wood to gas to electric should undergo annual maintenance. For example, gas fireplaces need the fan, pilots and burners checked each year. And wood fireplaces require an inspection and chimney cleaning to remove creosote, which can build up and cause chimney fires. Homeowners should also check the chimney or vent before the season’s first fire to see if birds or animals have built nests in it, or if leaves or other debris have accumulated. At a minimum, homeowners should also install a carbon-monoxide alarm in the same room as the fireplace and another one near the bedrooms.

Homeowners can handle much of the day-to-day maintenance; however, most tasks are better left to a professional. Here are some tips for getting the fireplace ready and keeping it in tip top shape this winter:

Woodburning fireplaces

• Clean out the firebox at least every week when using the fireplace regularly, but leave an inch of ash in the bottom to act as insulation. NOTE: Never use a vacuum to clean out the firebox as coals can stay hot for several days after extinguishing a fire.
• Before removing ash, open the damper so loose ash is drawn up the chimney rather than out into the room.
• Remove all ash during the months the fireplace is not in use.
• Burn only seasoned or hard wood in the fireplace. This will help minimize creosote buildup in the chimney. Burning small, controlled, hot fires rather than smoldering fires will also help keep creosote under control.

Gas fireplaces

• Vacuum the firebox and heat exchanger regularly (only when the fireplace is cold, of course) to keep efficiency and air quality high.
• Consult a professional to clean the pilot assembly, purge trapped air from the gas supply line, and then test-fire the fireplace.
• Use only a soft brush to remove dust or spider webs from gas logs since they can be fragile. Make sure to position logs properly after cleaning to avoid sooting.
• Use glass cleaner made especially for gas fireplaces to clean the glass front – never use oven cleaner or abrasives.
  

Electric fireplaces

• Clean the firebox and control compartment with a brush and vacuum.
• Never use glass cleaner to clean the back of the glass, use only mild soap and water.
• emove dust particles from glass by simply buffing lightly with a clean, dry cloth.
• Replace the light bulbs about every two to three years or when the flame and/or ember bed is dark on one side.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions or consult a professional on cleaning the heater system to extend the fan’s life.
  

Source : fireplaces.com

What Is an Electric Fireplace?

Installing a fireplace once meant adding chimneys, venting, gas plumbing, and masonry work. But the advent of electric fireplaces coupled with advances in cabinetry and technology have made them a smart choice for apartment dwellers, condo owners and even homeowners who want instant glow and ambiance without knocking holes in walls, running flue pipe, or hauling logs.

Electric Fireplace Features
Electric fireplaces offer a cozy ambiance and warmth. Logs glow, simulated flames flicker, and heat is pushed into the room by an internal fan. You can select "flame only", "heat only", or heat-and-flame combinations on most models. These fireplaces can be operated from mantle-mounted controls or by remote, and the brightness of the flames can be adjusted to suit your mood on some models. The amount of warmth generated varies among manufacturers and models, but normally around 4,500 BTUs of heat is generated from an average unit. However, electric fireplaces are not intended to replace a heat source. They are built to provide comfort and a focal design element in a room.

Fast, Safe and Easy
Electric fireplaces can be installed anywhere there's a plug and a wall. Unlike traditional fireplaces, electric fireplaces don't require chimneys or venting. Thus, they provide flexibility to renters, condo owners, even home and business owners who want a plug-in fireplace that can go anywhere. There are no installation costs, no additional wiring requirement and no clearance or approval.

Electric fireplaces can be installed quickly and packed up for a move like any piece of furniture. They require virtually no maintenance, are completely self-contained. Since they are low-heat, they are cool to the touch and very safe to use. An electric fireplace is also cost-effective and provides great value for money.

The Options
You can choose from a number of different options when selecting an electric fireplace. There are inserts that can be purchased for use in an existing fireplace with a fireplace surround purchased separately. You can also choose free-standing fireplaces that are designed to look like wood stoves. There are two and three-sided fireplaces, as well. These electric fireplaces come in rustic, contemporary, classic, or period styles to match your decor.