NDL Hearth Blog

In the Northeast, heating homes with wood or pellets is becoming a more and more attractive option. It will be more challenging than ever on our wallets to stay warm this winter. Those who use oil to heat their homes are expected to spend the most they have ever spent.

Higher than average fuel bills are expected for those using heating oil, propane and natural gas, says the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Homes using heating oil will be most affected since heating oil prices are forecast to be 10% higher than last winter.

Bills for natural gas will be 4% higher and propane prices are 7% higher. Homeowners in the Northeast will be affected the most, 80% of the heating oil use in the US is consumed here.

Maybe it is time to think about heating with wood or pellets, both are renewable resources. You can heat your entire home with a wood or pellet stove or you can supplement your heating bill. Either way, your heating bills will be dramatically reduced. But there are more advantages. There is nothing more relaxing than sitting in front of the fire after a long day at work.

Today in Pennsylvania a delivery of 200 to 400 gallons of oil costs about $3.50 per gallon, about 80 cents more than last year. A delivery of 200 gallons would cost $700. Last year, it cost about $540.

With a few cords of wood or with a ton or two of pellets, you could heat your home for the winter, depending on your home’s size of course. The cost savings is impressive, but what many like the most is not having a home heating bill to worry about.

For an efficient and attractive wood burning stove or fireplace insert or pellet stove or pellet stove inserts, contact Northeast Distribution LTD today.

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For many homeowners, fireplaces are rarely used except on special occasions.

The thought is that open fireplaces are messy to operate, and even though they are cozy, the heat they produce goes right up the chimney while the fire sucks warm air from the rest of the house.

With an open fireplace, 95% of the heat is lost and the rest of the house gets cold even while it’s warm right around the fireplace.

Fortunately, fireplace inserts are an options that makes the fireplace efficient, allowing homeowners the comfort of a fire while sending heat throughout the home.

Fireplace Inserts can heat rooms, sections of a home or an entire home.

If you want to make your fireplace more efficient and warm, consider two things: Do you want an insert? And what fuel do you want to use?

Fireplace Inserts are essentially steel or cast iron boxes lined with ceramic or brick that fit into fireplace openings and use the existing fireplace flue with a chimney liner. Many models are flush with the fireplace opening while others can protrude out of the fireplace.  All fireplace inserts include a blower that allows for heat movement and most can be controlled with a thermostat. Fireplace Inserts are available for use with wood, gas or wood pellets.

Wood Burning Fireplace Inserts are available in a variety of sizes to accommodate various fireplaces sizes and BTU ranges.  They are extremely efficient while still offering the traditional “look & feel” of a fireplace. They are practical and gorgeous and many homeowners choose wood because they like the idea of heating their home off the grid.

Gas fireplace inserts offers a wide range of looks and sizes, from sleek contemporary models that “burn” rocks or glass crystals to the traditional gas logs that look real.  Gas also offers convenience, featuring remote controls, wall thermostats and electronic ignition – eliminating any need for the homeowner to “touch” the unit.  Of the almost 1 million fireplaces and fireplace inserts installed in the US last year, 70% were gas.

Pellet Stove Inserts are on the rise and many manufacturers are creating and designing great looking, efficient models.  They are a great combination of convenience, they too can run on a thermostat and still provide a similar intense heat like wood.  

Contact Northeast Distribution LTD for more information on what type of fireplace insert will work best in your home.

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Here comes the cold weather, have you felt it? In the Northeast, many home owners are trying to hold off on turning the heat on, but that may mean thinking about other heating options.

Wood is the fuel of choice this year. Adding a wood stove or a wood insert can dramatically improve the efficiency of heating your home.

Gas, oil, and electric heat are expensive. Traditional wood fireplaces add atmosphere and are warm, but these open wood fireplaces are very inefficient.

By adding a wood stove or a wood burning fireplace insert to your home, you are adding an efficient heat source to your home that is not only money saving but also provides warmth, character, and ambiance.

Wood stoves put out an efficient, comforting heat. Wood burning stoves look great in old homes as well as modern homes and are a great alternative to the inefficient open standard fireplaces.

Wood fireplace inserts use the same working technologies that wood burning stoves use, which cuts down on installation expenses. Fireplace inserts will increase the heating efficiency of the fire being burned.

Contact Northeast Distribution LTD for more information on wood stoves and wood fireplace inserts.

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It is approaching the time to clean out your wood stove, fireplace or insert, hopefully for the rest of the winter season! We have worked our fireplaces hard this winter, and they need a break, a cleaning and a polishing after what we have put them through this year. The winter of 2010-2011 has entered the history books for the Northeast, and our stoves and inserts need a break.

Northeast Distribution, LTD has all the products you need to make your stove, insert or fireplace look brand new again. We offer many different styles of ash buckets and shovels for cleaning up after a wood burning fire. It certainly is an unpleasant job, but there's but you can at least make cleaning as quick and easy as possible.

Imperial also makes the best line of maintenance products and stove paints on the market today. For easy cleaning of your stove, fireplace, or insert we carry all that you need. Glass door, gas log, and masonry cleaner along with gold and brass cleaner and high heat stove paint.

For everything wood stove, fireplace and insert related for Spring Cleaning, call Northeast Distribution today.

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Surely this winter you have been to a home that has felt cozy, welcoming and warm with a fire burning the fireplace. Fireplaces instill a sense of warmth and security in any room. The firelight sends a sense of calm through the atmosphere. You can have this in your home too, with Vermont Castings Wood Burning Fireplace.

The heat generated by a Vermont Castings wood burning fireplace is just the beginning. The room feels welcome, with a cheerful and relaxing ambience, but also, the Sequoia Wood Burning Fireplace by Vermont Castings can heat up to a 2,500 square foot home as efficiently as a wood stove. Efficiency and beauty are combined in this fireplace design.

And, they are less expensive than you think. But, thanks to newer fireplace technology, the efficiency of a Vermont Castings fireplace drives down your heating costs. Wood is a cost effective, efficient and comforting way to heat your home. Not to mention the traditional look of a wood burning fireplace brings people more comfort, and provides a focal point to your room. You’ll notice the fire becoming the gathering place in the evenings. Contact us at 866-602-7227 for more information on any Vermont Castings Products.

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Last night, the House voted 177 to 148 in favor of the $858 billion Tax Cut Compromise Package of 2010 that reduces the biomass heater tax credit to 10 percent with a $300 cap. The bill now goes to the White House for the President's signature. Another significant change that further restricts the tax credit for biomass appliances is that Congress removed the lower heating value measurement and only allows the credit toward the purchase price and not for installation.

Energy efficiency provisions were shortchanged even further by a clause that says the $500 tax credit is a lifetime maximum, meaning that if a homeowner has used this credit anytime since 2005, it cannot be used again. During the past two years, the credit up to $1,500 could be used regardless of whether the family has used the credit between 2005 and 2009.

The reduction to 10 percent tax credit affects all energy efficiency measures that had enjoyed 30 percent credit for the past two years. Many members of Congress felt the 25C tax credit program had cost the government too much money and should not be extended in its current form at 30 percent up to $1,500.

This setback for incentives for wood and pellet heating systems is a result of biomass appliances being considered an energy efficiency device instead of a renewable energy system. Solar, wind and geothermal systems still enjoy the full 30 percent tax credit with no maximum and are not set to expire until 2016.

"This creates a terrible double standard for incentives between renewable energy systems favored and affordable by the wealthy and systems favored and affordable by average American families," said John Ackerly, president of the Alliance for Green Heat. "Fortunately, we understand that Congress will be revisiting these tax credits again in 2011 and advocates for cleaner and more efficient biomass appliances need to be prepared," he said. Instead of using tax credits based on a percentage of purchase and installation costs, Congress is likely to consider performance-based credits.

This report prepared by the Alliance for Green Heat.

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As the days get colder and the heating bills get higher it is time to think about adding a wood burning stove to your home. With wood heat you can cut your energy bills, increase your heating efficiency and add atmosphere to your home. Wood burning stoves increase the efficiency of your existing wood fireplace, and they come in all different sizes, and styles. Do you have a modern home? No problem. There are many sleek, modern designs and colors that can add to the décor of your home. If you have a traditional colonial home, there are wood burning stoves to fit your home style as well. From Vermont Castings, to Pacific Energy, there are many styles to choose from. Let the room you gather in this winter keep you warm and provide an ambience to come home to.

With energy prices rising, why not heat your home with a renewable energy source? Wood is an eco friendly, renewable energy source, and the technology in wood burning stoves today has made them much more energy efficient than in years past. Along with the energy tax credit that is available until December 31, 2010, now is the time to buy.

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Northeast Distribution is the leading distributor of hearth accessories and products in New England, NY, NJ, and PA. We know stocking stuffers; after all we have been specializing in winter warmth for over ten years. Keep the family warm this holiday season, and let us connect you with the finest hearth retailers in your area.

If you are looking for stocking stuffers for men, look no further. Zippo lighters, fire starters, stove fans, grill utensils, and log totes all make great gifts. Are you looking for unique stocking stuffers? We have them in beautifully handcrafted stove top steamers and kettles, wrought iron fireplace screens and firewood storage racks.

Contact us today for stocking stuffer ideas and the locations of the hearth retailer nearest you.

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Our fires are lit, and you surely remember the dry air inside your home from winters past. For the health of both your family and the wood furniture in your home, consider how you will humidify your home this winter. One of the most practical fireplace accessories on the market today is a wood stove steamer.

At NDL, we offer steamers in many shapes and sizes manufactured by Condar, Minuteman, Imperial and Last Waltz Clay Studio. These steamers come in styles that range from traditional teapots, to animal shapes, to hand-made and hand-glazed clay designs. With this many varieties and manufacturers, you are sure to find one to match your style. They are quite easy to use, just fill them with water and place it on the stove. You may also turn these steamers into aromatherapy solutions by adding potpourri, spices, or stove scents to the water. Once the steam begins to be released into your home, it not only becomes a room humidifier, but it will release the sweet smell of fragrance as well.

Wood stove steamer add decorative value to your home. Due to their unique shape and quality, just leave these decorative pieces on the wood burning stove for all to see. If you wish to add a unique touch to your home or you need extra humidity; a wood stove steamer is what you are looking for.

Of course, NDL offers a full range of fireplace accessories including fireplace glass doors, fireplace tool sets, chimney caps, and ash buckets. Let us direct you to the finest hearth dealer in your area. Contact us today.

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This winter, if you are having trouble keeping the cold at bay, consider adding a fireplace or fireplace insert to your home. Not only will you add comfort and atmosphere, you will add value to your home as well. A working hearth is considered a plus to home buyers, thus increasing the value of your home. Fireplaces and inserts can be fueled by natural gas, electricity, pellets, or wood and all these fuel sources have their advantages. Pellets and wood are considered renewable energy sources and are economical. But that is not all. Many fireplace inserts have a tax credit as well!

Gas and electric fireplaces and fireplace inserts are generally easier to use with less mess and effort. They are also very efficient and can be hooked up to a thermostat and remote. This way, you have constant heat which you can enjoy with the touch of a button. Whichever fuel source you choose to run your fireplace or insert, one thing is certain; working fireplaces add atmosphere and ambiance to any home. New home buyers love the idea of a working hearth and they make your home more enticing. If you are remodeling for your own enjoyment, a room with a burning fire adds a whole new dimension to entertaining.

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