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Fireplace wood inserts offer numerous
benefits. Fireplace wood inserts can transform an energy inefficient fireplace
into a regular heating machine. A wood burning fireplace insert can easily be
retrofitted into most existing masonry or zero clearance fireplaces. There are
also other types of fireplace inserts that can burn fuels such gas, electric, or
wood pellets if you are not interested in burning wood.
Though there is little that can beat
the feel, sight and sound of a crackling wood fire emanating from a fireplace on
a cold winter night, the sad truth is that fireplaces are notoriously energy
inefficient.
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When a fireplace is not used and if the damper is left open, a
significant amount of heat is lost from the home via the chimney. Even when a
fire is roaring much of the heat produced by the fire goes up the chimney. The
situation is further exasperated when the outside air temperatures is below
freezing. Due to the higher temperature differential between the outside air
temperature and the warm house air temperature, warm air is sucked up out of the
home even faster. In general, fireplaces are typically only 5 to 10% efficient.
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Fireplace wood inserts are
specifically designed to improve the efficiency of a fireplace. They are
similar in functionality to a wood stove. A wood burning fireplace insert
consists of a steel or cast iron fireproof chamber that sits inside the
masonry fireplace box. Typically the front of the fireplace wood insert has
insulated glass so that you can view the fire. The closed chamber, or box,
acts as a combustion chamber for burning the wood.
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| The heavy steel or cast iron box also helps to trap the heat
and radiate it outwards into the room and home. Some fireplace wood inserts
also include thermostatic, variable speed blowers to push the hot air into
the house or room.
Fireplace wood inserts can improve a fireplace’s efficiency
by up to 10 fold, as wood burning fireplace inserts have heating
efficiencies around 50%. Typically you can load a wood fireplace insert up
with wood and not have to refill it for at least 4 hours. With larger wood
fireplace inserts they can run up to 8 hours without refilling. |
Photo by Mark Donovan |
Fireplace wood inserts vary in size
and heat output, expressed in BTUs (British Thermal Units). The average wood
burning fireplace insert can typically heat between 800 and 2,000 square feet of
living space and produce 60,000 to 70,000 BTUs.
Fireplace wood inserts can cost upwards of a couple thousand dollars. In
addition, they should be installed by a professional and the chimney flue
examined to make sure that it can support the wood fireplace insert. This said
wood burning fireplace inserts are EPA certified for 30% Federal Tax Credits and
dramatically improve your home’s heating efficiency.
So instead of letting your home heat go up the chimney while watching the
crackling fireplace, consider installing a fireplace wood insert and reap its
benefits. You will still be able to enjoy the beauty and charm of your
fireplace, but feel much warmer and save a small fortune in winter home heating
bills in the process.
For information on maximizing a
wood stove’s home heating efficiency see
the “Installation
of Hood over Wood Stove Ebook”.
Find a Pre-Screened Heating Contractor in Your Area
Fireplace Wood Burning Inserts
from Amazon.com
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