Santa's Friend Chimney Service Blog

All About Wood Burning Inserts

There’s nothing quite as nice as sitting in front of a crackling fire on a cool winter’s evening. Unfortunately, many fireplaces, especially the older ones, are not efficient at all. Consequently, much of your nice warm air is being sucked right up your chimney. In fact, the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association, when rating wood burning fireplaces for efficiency, rated efficiency on fireplaces manufactured before 1990 at 10% or lower!

Increasing Efficiency

Do you love the smell and feel of a wood burning fireplace, but hate the idea of ‘money going up the chimney’? If so, then buying a wood burning insert might be just the answer to your dilemma. There are several advantages to adding this to your existing fireplace, not the least of which is a much more efficient burn.

What is a Wood Burning Insert?

A wood burning insert is a closed combustion system. It consists of a firebox that is enclosed on three sides by cast iron, or in some cases steel, and has insulated glass in the front. This make-up allows the heat to be trapped instead of going up your chimney. Some inserts are even equipped with blowers. This is so that you can blow the hot air back in to heat the room. It’s clear to see that this would make for a much more energy efficient system, not to mention a cozier room.

Safety

Another reason that a wood burning insert is a good idea? Safety! Instead of an open fireplace, an insert is contained. This is so any embers or sparks won’t shoot out of the enclosure.

What Do I Need To Do?

Are you interested in saving money by purchasing a wood burning insert? If so, the first thing you’ll want to do is to have your chimney inspected to make sure it’s up to code. You can check with your local fire department. In addition, you can also trust the qualified professionals at Santa’s Friend Chimney Service. They will check out your existing fireplace. Also, give great advice on choosing and installing an insert.

Don’t be surprised if your inspector tells you your flue needs to be relined. Many of the old, over-sized fireplace flues are too big. Therefore, the new inserts are so efficient that the stoves can’t heat the over-sized flue. If not enough draft is created, the gases that float up your flue will more easily condense on the inside of your chimney. This forms creosote build-up, which could create a dangerous situation. Even the possibility of a chimney fire. So if it’s recommended, be sure to go for the relining.

Hire Professionals

Proper installation is the key to making sure that you have a safe, energy efficient wood burning insert. To ensure that you pick the correct insert to best meet your needs. Plus, that the insert is properly installed, call Santa’s Friend Chimney Service, Mississippi’s most experienced sweeps!

Santa’s Friend Chimney Service – Offering Chimney Relining

You know how important it is to have your chimney system inspected and cleaned once a year. However, did you know how important your chimney liner is? This key part of your chimney is one we don’t often think about. Not only can your chimney liner be in a state of disrepair, but did you know that not every home with a fireplace has a chimney liner? If your home was built before 1940, it could be that your chimney doesn’t have a liner. This is definitely a problem!

Chimney Liners

The Chimney Safety Institute of America tells us that a chimney liner plays a vital role in making sure that your fireplace is running efficiently and safely. There are several reasons why this part of your chimney is so important. First off, a chimney liner protects your home’s interior from the heat of your fire. Unlined chimneys allow heat to move through your chimney very quickly. This can have disastrous results.

Another reason that a liner is so important? Your masonry chimney is susceptible to the corrosive effects of a fire. The gases that are released from your wood burning fire are acidic. This means that they can eat away at the mortar joints of your chimney from the inside. As these joints erode, more dangerous gases can leak back into your home.

Proper Fit

In order for your chimney liner to do the job it’s supposed to, it has to fit properly. Your chimney liner should allow the gases from your fire to escape, but it also allows air in to provide the draft to allow for combustion. If this liner doesn’t fit properly, your fire could produce more creosote build-up in your chimney, and that increases the possibility of a chimney fire.

Reline or Install

As stated earlier, an older home may not have a chimney liner at all. Even if you do have a chimney liner, there are things that can cause it to fall into a state of disrepair. Rain, when it combines with the gases that escape out your chimney, aids in erosion. Consequently, there’s no way to protect your chimney from precipitation. Also, as with any building materials, time takes its toll and your chimney liner can just wear down. Unfortunately, when your chimney liner breaks down, your fireplace doesn’t run as efficiently as it should; worse yet, it could be a fire hazard. Whether your chimney liner is broken or if you don’t have a chimney liner at all, Santa’s Friend Chimney Service can help you out.

Make the Call

The Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends that you have your fireplace system inspected and cleaned on a yearly basis; so does the National Fire Protection Agency. Santa’s Friend Chimney Service offers friendly, efficient, and knowledgeable service from CSIA certified professionals. Not only can they inspect and clean your chimney, they can also advise you on whether your chimney is in need of a new chimney liner. Give them a call today!