NDL Hearth Blog

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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October gets you thinking about warm, cozy nights in front of the fireplace. That means having your chimney and fireplace checked for any repairs that might need to be made.

Whether it is an extension of a fireplace or a furnace, you should have your chimney cleaned or "swept" at least once a year, for several reasons.

First, creosote often adheres to the inside of the fireplace chimney. Because of its chemical nature, creosote can actually ignite, rapidly causing a chimney fire and potential damage to the rest of the home.

Burning wood at a relatively low temperature (your cooking stove flame is actually hotter than a fireplace) causes incomplete combustion of the oils found naturally in the wood. When the smoke from a fire rises into a chimney, the residual chemicals may stick to the inside of the chimney liner. This residue becomes creosote.

Second, soot and dust build-up can clog a chimney and diminish heat output. A furnace flue may accumulate a layer of sulfuric acid or chlorine, which can cause erosion and big problems down the road.

A good rule of thumb is to not ever assume your chimney is functioning properly, even if you rarely use it. Animals, leaves and moisture from a buildup of snow or rain need to be taken care of before safe use of your fireplace.

A thorough check for any shifting of the chimnye that may have occurred over the years is also recommended. Years ago, chimneys were built with a section near the top made of terracotta, over time, these sections sometime move, causing the potential for leaks of carbon monoxide through the seams and even a backdraft.

In addition to a good cleaning, chimney inspection includes checking for leaks in the flashing around the chimney, which can cause wood rot and condensation. This, in turn, can damage electrical wiring and present a fire hazard.

For a complete list of Chimney liners and chimney care products, contact Northeast Distribution, LTD.

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As we attempt to reduce our dependence on oil and other fossil fuels, Biomass is one of our renewable energy options. People usually think of wood first, even though wood is a small part of biomass fuel potential.
 
Different biomass fuels burn differently, but generally each biomass in a compressed form, such as pellets, has a similar heat value, meaning they generate the same heat. The variation comes from the various biomass burners, such as pellet stove, fireplaces and inserts which have variables that affect the way bio fuels burn, such as changes in ash content, air intake, and corrosive effects.
 
Anything that can burn and decompose can be used as a biofuel. Biofuel is not new, but we have started thinking more about it as we watch our energy bills rise and hear more about carbon footprints.
 
So how can we use biomass? Burning wood logs saves in energy costs and is a form of renewable energy. Another answer, which many believe is the best answer, is a compressed form of wood; wood pellets. In a compressed form bio fuel, burns much more efficiently, are much more practical to transport, and dispensing or feeding the fuel into the pellet stove is easy and efficient.  With a compressed and uniform fuel source, such as pellets, the fuel makes pellet stoves efficient, economical and renewable.

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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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A wood-burning fireplace in your home not only adds warmth and coziness it can be a lifesaver in a power outage. Fireplaces require specialized tools designed to let you burn wood safely and easily. Be prepared before shopping for accessories for your fireplace. Measure the opening of the fireplace and the depth and back width of the firebox.

The first thing you will need is a grate from Landmann, Pilgrim or Minuteman to place the logs on. They are generally sized to the floor of the fireplace and hold the logs up from the bottom of the fireplace to allow air under the fire which will keep your fire burning. They also hold the logs in place and prevent the logs from rolling out of the firebox.

A screen from Pilgrim or Minuteman is the next essential that you will need to keep sparks from flying out of the fireplace and to keep little hands or paws from reaching in. Screens are sized to the opening of your fireplace and come in many styles and finishes to match any home décor.

A tool set from Minuteman or Pilgrim is your next essential. Toolsets generally all come with a poker, broom and shovel along with other tools depending on the set. Some of the other tools available are log grabbers and hoes. When picking a toolset consider the length of the tools and feel of them. You do not need an extra long set of tools for a small fireplace and they may seem ungainly when you try and use them. Along with an attractive and functional toolset consider a matching log holder to store your wood in. Log holders from Pilgrim, Minuteman and Landmann come in many styles such as hoops, baskets and racks that will even hold your tools and kindling.

An attractive screen, tool set and log holder add the perfect finishing touches to your fireplace. Other fireplace necessities to consider are fire starters, gloves, double bottom ash buckets, bellows, brick and stone cleaner. Contact Northeast Distribution LTD at 866-602-7227 today for an authorized hearth dealer near you.

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A wood fire in your home is beautiful to behold, and there are certainly many homes out there that burn fires in their open fireplace. At NDL, we would like to educate you on the essential tools of a wood fireplace, or what we call, the fireplace tool box.

There are a few items that are essential to the safe and efficient function of a wood burning fire. But we would like to first talk about fireplace tool sets. Fireplace tools can be purchased for both decorative and utility purposes. You need well made fireplace tools in order to maintain and use your fireplace safely.

The type of tools you want in your tool set are up to you, but put some thought into how you will use them, and be sure to “roll play” with them before you buy them.

A beautiful wrought iron set may look great, but it may be too heavy for you to use. Luckily, Pilgrim makes tools sets that are both functional and beautiful. With different combination and styles, you can find a set that meets all of your needs and fits in with your home style.

The fireplace grate is another essential part of your fireplace tool box. It is designed to keep the firewood off the floor of your fireplace allowing the ashes to fall below and air to flow in. The fireplace grate is an essential factor to the burning process. By keeping the wood away from the floor, it allows the fire to draw fresh oxygen to the hottest part of the flame. This allows for more efficient wood burning.

Lastly, but certainly not the least important item in your fireplace tool box is the fireplace screen or fireplace doors. Although many people prefer burning a fire without a screen, this is not a good idea. Besides being able to catch sparks which are inevitable, the logs can become displaced as they burn down and change size. A screen or fireplace doors helps stop the disturbed logs from rolling out of the fire and into your living space. Screens and doors also make fires safer for young children and pets. However, screens and doors can be both functional and beautiful as well, and they are made to fit any style home.

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Creosote buildup inside your chimney is the primary reason you will need to have the chimney cleaned, and it is the primary cause of chimney fires. Creosote is one of the chemical products of “incomplete combustion of fuel”. It is one of byproducts of burning fires that is carried up your chimney through the flue to be vented safely outside.

There are several steps you can take to minimize creosote condensation inside your chimney. The first and easiest is to always burn well seasoned wood in your fireplace or woodstove. Green wood, or unseasoned wood, has high water content so it burns cooler with more smoke. Cooler burning and more smoke both contribute to creosote buildup in your chimney.

You also want the most complete combustion of your wood that is possible for your fireplace or woodstove. Meaning, you want to burn the wood in the fire as completely as you can at a hot temperature. A small, hot fire burns the fuel more completely than a large, cooler fire.

Non-toxic and environmentally safe creosote cleaner is also sold. Creosote cleaner, which you can spray inside your fireplace or wood stove, and on the wood within the firebox, helps prevent chimney fires, and turns dangerous creosote and soot into a harmless ash or char that can be easily removed. Once your fire is lit, creosote cleaner helps reduce the amount of buildup in your chimney and helps breakdown the creosote that exists there from previous fires. Although sprays do decrease the creosote, it by no means is a real substitute for a regular chimney sweeping.

However, anti creosote sprays are a great addition to your cleaning repertoire, helping prevent the creosote from becoming too solid. Spraying your fireplace or wood stove regularly is a very good idea for chimney maintenance.

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With gas prices on the rise, and home heating oil prices at $3.50 a gallon as a national average, wouldn’t you like to lower your fuel costs? With an alternative heating source in your home, you can. Wood is an excellent, efficient, hot, and beautiful way to heat your home. Wood fireplaces, inserts and stoves are a cost effective way to supplement or eliminate your heating bills while bringing beauty and ambience to your home.

Wood as a home heating fuel source addresses many of your own heating problems as well as global energy problems. Wood is a renewable energy source, and with today’s wood burning stove technology, it burns much more cleanly and efficiently than in days past.

And with the beauty that a wood burning fireplace brings to your home, you can enjoy more than just a lower heating bill, you can enjoy a gorgeous fire and exceptional warmth. With manufacturers like Vermont Castings, Pacific Energy, Archgard and Dutchwest, you can find the stove, fireplace or insert that you have been looking for to perfectly fit the style and size of your home.

Let Northeast Distribution connect you to the finest hearth retailers in your area that can answer your questions and find the perfect wood burning heat for your lifestyle.

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Spruce up your hearth with fireplace screens and glass doors. If you have small children or pets you may be looking for a fireplace screen for safety. Or perhaps you want a screen to protect your home from shifting logs and embers. However, fireplace screens can be decorative as well.

Are you looking for a way for your hearth to be a focal point rather than a hole in the wall? Minuteman fireplace screens are a decorative, safe and cost effective solution that will add personality and style to your fireplace.

If you have a working traditional fireplace, take a look at decorative fireplace screens. With decorative flat or three-fold screens you can turn your old fireplace into a conversation piece. Made from wrought iron, brass or brushed aluminum fireplace screens can change the entire look and effect of your fireplace in any season.

If you want to use your fireplace safely, increase the ambience of your room, and heighten the attractiveness of your hearth. Let NDL help you find the fireplace screens and doors of your choice.

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Arlington, VA – (December 21, 2010) On Friday, December 17, President Obama signed into law the $858 billion tax package that keeps current tax rates in place and extends a series of tax credits geared toward boosting the sluggish economy. Included in this package was the extension of a tax credit for biomass heating appliances that was set to expire on December 31st. The extension of the tax credit – which was never certain – is good news for the hearth industry. However, Congress did decrease the benefit to consumers that was in place from 2009-2010 under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and added further restrictions. The new tax credit as outlined provides:

• 10% credit for the purchase of biomass heating appliance in 2011, capped at $300
• Removal of the lower heating value level (LHV) efficiency measurement
• Credit applies to purchase price only and is not extended to installation In the weeks leading up to Congress' vote on the tax package, HPBA reached out to congressional leaders to remind them of the importance of this tax credit not only to the hearth industry but to consumers interested in purchasing biomass heating systems. HPBA has been working closely with Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) to ensure that a tax credit was contained in the bill, and we are appreciative of the efforts she put forth in achieving its inclusion. Of particular note, Sen. Collins has included language in the Congressional Record (the official transcript of the United States Congress) that directs the IRS to continue to use the lower heating value as the operative efficiency methodology in determining which appliance qualifies for the tax credit. A portion of her remarks stated:

"The IRS has issued guidance directing that the 'lower heating value' methodology should be used, which is consistent with industry practices and with our intent to ensure that the credit is available for efficient and clean-burning wood and wood-pellet stoves. Removing the reference to the 'lower heating value' from the Code serves little purpose. Certainly, however, it does not mean that this common-sense methodology is precluded, nor does it require the IRS to revisit its methodology. I hope that my comments today will help avoid confusion about the use of the 'lower heating value' methodology with respect to this tax credit." (Congressional Record, December 15, 2010; Statement by Senator Susan M. Collins; H.R. 4853, Middle Class Tax Relief Act of 2010) By extending this tax credit, Congress signals its support of the renewable fuel industry. We will continue to work with Congress to achieve recognition for the hearth industry and benefits for Americans who seek to heat with biomass fuel. Finally, we would like to thank you for responding to our call to contact your Representatives and Senators in Congress emphasizing the importance and need of a tax credit for the hearth industry.

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