On a cold, blustery night, nothing beats sitting around a warm, cozy fire with your family. A fireplace adds an ambiance to your home that is hard to beat. However, most older fireplaces aren’t very efficient at heating your home. Older fireplaces also may not function as well as they used to, leading to expensive maintenance costs. If you’re looking for a heating appliance that is efficient and has low maintenance costs, but also has the look and feel of a real fireplace, we at Northeastern Fireplace and Design may have the what you’re looking for with our many insert options available.
What is an insert?
An insert is an appliance that is installed in the firebox of an existing fireplace. The insert consists of a firebox which is surrounded by a steel shell. The shell is designed to direct heat into your living area, instead of out of your home. The front of the insert contains a door where you can add whatever type of fuel you are using to heat your home.
Efficiency
Most inserts on the market today are much more efficient than an open-hearth fireplace. In fact, some inserts are up to eighty percent efficient, which is much higher than the five to ten percent efficiency that you get with an open-hearth fireplace. This is because inserts have an airtight firebox which allows your fuel to burn much hotter and slower. Open hearth systems, on the other hand, actually draw air from your home and push it up and out of your chimney after it is burned.
Types of Inserts
Inserts come in a wide variety of sizes and designs. Usually, if you have a design in mind, we here at Northeastern Fireplace and Design can make it work for your home. Another thing that you need to consider is the type of fuel that you would like to burn. Gas inserts are generally easiest to operate and can usually be turned on with the flip of a switch. Pellet and corn inserts are also easy to operate and are considered eco-friendly since they use wood shaving and corn that would have otherwise been thrown out. Finally, nothing beats the look and ambiance created by using a wood insert.
With so many options available for inserts, it can be a little overwhelming trying to decide on a design and fuel option for you. At Northeastern Fireplace and Design, we can help you decide on an option that best fits your home. If you’re ready to purchase and install a new insert in your home, don’t hesitate to call Northeastern Fireplace and Design at (518) 767-9314, or schedule an appointment online today.