Please also see the Fireplace Primer as well as the Glass Door Primer

These are some of the more commonly asked questions:

What is Heating Efficiency?
Heating efficiency is the amount of heat passed into the room compared to the amount of heat produced in the combustion process.

What is the difference between a stove, a fireplace and an insert?
Stoves are freestanding units burning various fuels for heat. Stoves are appropriate for homes where there is no pre-existing fireplace structure (or an old fireplace has been sealed up) and room heat is desired. Stoves also bring an old world feel that many homeowners enjoy. Most stoves require a hearth for floor protection.

Fireplaces are structures built into a house (either a new construction or an addition), often made of brick or stone on the outside, with the chimney generally lined with heat-resistant terra cotta or zero clearance metal pre-fabricated fireplace. Installing or removing a fireplace generally requires a contractor and a permit from the local building department.

Fireplace inserts fit into an existing fireplace to combine the benefits of a fireplace and a stove, displaying lovely flames and dramatically increasing heating efficiency. (All wood appliances require 18” of floor protection in front of the opening.)

Which has the better heating efficiency?
Generally, stoves and inserts will have higher heat efficiency ratings than fireplaces because they are closed systems designed to minimize heat loss from the house. Efficiency will vary widely among the many products on the market. All of the fireplaces and woodstoves we sell are E.P.A. rated, burn clean and are highly efficient. Each unit has been rated for emissions and efficiency.

What are the benefits of an insert and glass doors?
Inserts are very heat-efficient. Adding a set of glass doors to an existing fireplace can prevent heat loss in traditional fireplace chimneys. Inserts are closed, airtight systems connected to liners passing through the existing chimney. An insert can easily improve the heating efficiency of your fireplace from less than 20 percent to 80 percent.

Should I buy a wood stove or a gas stove?
That depends on whether you already have natural or propane gas lines running into your home, and whether they would be easy to install. Wood stoves or biomass stoves can take longer to heat than gas, but biomass in particular may be exceptionally efficient. Also, many cities and counties prohibit or regulate wood burning units. Check with your local building official.

Which is more expensive?
Wood stoves and gas units are comparable in price, and their long-term costs will depend on fuel prices.

Can I burn both gas and wood?
The only situation that allows for the use of both gas and wood is installing a gas log lighter or a gas log set fireplace. Log converters are a convenient way to start your wood fire, but these and log sets are extremely inefficient. This option is not available in wood stoves.

Can I turn my wood stove into a gas-burning stove?
No. A wood stove lacks many of the safety mechanisms that are critical to a gas stove, and attempting to convert a wood stove to a gas stove could create an extreme hazard. Each unit is tested by the manufacturer; all manufacturer’s recommendations must be followed to assure safety.

Why am I not getting any heat from my wood fire?
Usually the reason is simply wet wood, which absorbs much of the flame’s energy that would normally warm the room. To be certain, take two pieces of wood and knock them together. If you hear a thud (rather than a dry crack), the wood is probably a bit damp.

Another cause of lack of heat from a wood fire is insufficient oxygen, which can be a result of a partially closed damper. Make sure the flames are dancing - that is a sign of a well-oxygenated fire. Make sure there is no obstruction in your chimney pipe.

Can I install a fireplace or stove myself?
Generally speaking, this is a job for professionals. Some do-it-yourselfers have the necessary expertise with tools, but gas stoves in particular carry hazards that require professional knowledge. And most warranties on fireplace or stove units are voided if installed by someone other than a licensed, certified installer.

What permits and regulations do I need to worry about?
Owner/builder permits can and should be obtained for most projects from the appropriate county and city agencies. Most permits require drawings of the proposed project and sometimes testing information about the product to be installed. Check with your local building department to find out about all the relevant ordinances.

Can I burn those pre-fabricated three hour logs in my wood stove?
No, this will void your warranty and will build up creosote in the chimney pipe that can cause a chimney fire.

How often should my flue or chimney be cleaned?
Gas fireplaces and free-standing stoves never require cleaning; they burn very clean. Wood fire units that are used regularly should be cleaned on a yearly basis.