Warm Up Your Sweetheart This Valentine’s Day with a Nice Fireplace
Romance is in the air on Valentine’s Day, but is heat in the air, too? If not, maybe you have a fireplace that needs to be replaced with one that warms the air and creates the perfect romantic atmosphere.
Mercer County Chimney Services of Hamilton, NJ, would like to tell you a little about the different types of fireplaces and the levels of heat you can expect from them. The following are the fireplace styles found in most homes.
Wood & Gas Manufactured Fireplace Venting Options
Wood and gas manufactured fireplaces are factory-made units designed for easy installation in a wall within a home. Wood-burning fireplaces typically vent through a pipe that runs inside a chase on the outside of the house. Gas fireplaces, which can be vented or non-vented, are equipped with their own vent pipes when vented, allowing for versatile installation options.
All manufactured fireplaces meet rigid EPA emissions standards and produce high levels of heat with very high heat-efficiency ratings (see below).
Fireplace inserts
Inserts are like fireplaces in a box, factory-built to be placed into the firebox of a standard masonry fireplace. They can run on either gas or wood. Fireplace inserts are EPA-approved and are great for high heat and preventing backdrafts.
Wood fireplaces
Wood fireplaces are a classic and reliable heating option, using natural wood to produce warmth and ambiance in your home. These units offer the authentic experience of a crackling fire and are ideal for those who appreciate the tradition of wood-burning.
Gas fireplaces
Gas fireplaces provide convenient and efficient heating, using natural gas or propane to create a steady flow of warmth. These units are easy to operate, requiring minimal maintenance while offering the same cozy ambiance as traditional wood fireplaces.
What determines how well a fireplace heats a room?
Here are five factors that determine the heating ability of a fireplace.
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Heat-efficiency rating
The heat-efficiency rating of a fireplace tells how much of the heat it retains versus how much it loses. Many manufactured fireplaces and inserts boast ratings upwards of 80%.
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BTUs
BTU ratings indicate a fireplace’s overall heating capacity.
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Heat distribution
Fireplaces can heat a room with radiant heat, convection or forced air.
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System components
A fireplace’s material, insulation and ventilation system all play roles in heat production.
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Distribution components
Components such as heat exchangers and air circulation systems will enhance the heating performance of a fireplace.
Which fireplace is best for you and your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day?
When it comes to producing warmth, any kind of fireplace, other than an open masonry fireplace, can be a good choice. Here are some considerations.
Aesthetic beauty
Modern fireplaces come in a range of attractive design styles, shapes, colors and finishes to add class and distinction to any room.
Where to install?
Manufactured fireplaces must be placed in a wall and have a venting chase built outside the home. Fireplaces with lower BTU outputs are ideal for zone heating in kitchens, bedrooms and other smaller rooms. Some fireplace styles can be installed higher on a wall. Other designs are made to heat two adjoining rooms at the same time.
Maintenance
Wood and gas fireplaces and inserts require annual chimney sweeping to remove flammable creosote.
Gas units need an annual inspection, but other than that, very little maintenance is required.
Get the perfect fireplace this Valentine’s Day
Mercer County Chimney Services is here to help you select the perfect new fireplace and then install it for you correctly and safely. We’ll answer all your questions so you can make a good, informed choice.
Speak with a fireplace professional by giving us a quick call. You can also reach out through our contact form.