Fireplace Advice as You Begin Your Search

Wood BurningInstallation CostsIf you choose atechnician you can find. Licensed plumbers or HVAC
masonry fireplace your installation costs will be highertechnicians are the only ones qualified to run gas lines.
due to labor and the higher cost of stone or brick.Check your local area requirements. Installation can
Manufactured units are faster and easier to install.occur along an outside wall or in the middle of a
Ensure a safe and reliable installation by using aroom. Zero clearance construction makes this possible
certified professional installer. In addition to assessingbecause very little space is needed between the unit
the construction of your home, he will obtain theand combustible materials.Operating CostsGas
necessary building permits and make sure that thefireplaces are generally cheaper and more efficient
installation meets all local and state codes.Operatingthan wood burning fireplaces. There are many
CostsWood burning fireplaces can be the mostvariables in determining the actual costs, such as
inefficient unless steps are taken to increaselocation of your home, how air tight it is, the size of
efficiency. Two newer, high-efficiency fireplaces,your room and the cost of gas in your area.Liquid
Clean Burning and EPA-certified (to burn less than 7.5propane gas contains 2,500 BTU's per cubic foot,
grams of particulates per hour), are morenatural gas contains 1000 BTU's per cubic foot.Care
technologically advanced and offer a substantialand MaintenanceGas fireplaces are clean burning and
amount of heat. See our Wood Burning Fireplacesrequire little maintenance. The HPBA recommends an
page for more details. Click here to see a chart ofannual inspection by a qualified professional who can
costs to burn various types of fuel based on theinspect the burner, fan, venting, pilot light and
amount of heat they generate. See our link for thethermostat and even clean the glass. Alternately,
Univ. of Neb. site showing BTU ratings of variouscheck with your owner's manual for instructions for
woods. These fireplaces are also good choices incleaning glass doors. Typical glass cleaners are not as
areas with frequent power outages, or where theeffective as products specifically made to clean the
cost of home heating is an issue.Care andstains on the inside of fireplace doors.The HPBA also
MaintenanceGuard against creosote build up byrecommends an annual inspection by a chimney
burning harder, seasoned woods and monitoring yoursweep certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of
flue. The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue AssociationAmerica.ElectricInstallation CostsNo real installation
(HPBA) recommends that fireplaces and chimneys becosts unless you need to run wiring for an outlet
inspected annually and cleaned as necessary by awhere you want to place this fireplace. The perfect
chimney sweep certified by the Chimney Safetychoice for a small office, apartment or where ever
Institute of America.Wood burning fireplaces requireyou cannot have a flue. .Operating CostsCosts will
constant cleaning of ashes and hauling wood. Possibledepend on your electric rate from your provider.Most
smoke stains on the exterior face if draftingunits use approx. 1400 Watts.Care and
problems develop.Natural & Propane GasInstallationMaintenanceVirtually care free. Allows "fire" in the
CostsThe prices of these fireplaces can range fromsummer by turning off the heating element. is your
$600-$2,000 or more depending on size, style,online source for the finest in wood burning, gas and
manufacturer and where you purchase. Then addelectric fireplaces from over 50 of the industry's
installation and delivery costs.A gas fireplace can befinest manufacturers. We have been in business since
installed almost anywhere in the home as long as1981 and on line since 1997 and are committed to the
natural gas or propane is available. Always use thefinest in customer service and satisfaction.
services of the most experienced and qualified