As winter comes to a close we all need to be careful with our fireplaces and chimneys. With that in mind more than one-third of Americans use fireplaces, wood stoves and other fuel-fired appliances as primary heat sources in their homes. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the fire risks when heating with wood and solid fuels.

Q: My fireplace is located in the basement and the chimney is located on the wall between the house and attached garage. In the summer when it is very humid outside, the glass doors on my fireplace sweat and the condensation pools on the floor in front of the fireplace hearth. We keep our home cool (67 degrees) at night in the summer. If I open the glass doors, the condensation does not occur.

The energy costs to heat a home have continued to increase in recent years. Whether you have an electric, gas or oil furnace, you will have noticed that it costs more to keep your house warm in the cold winter months. There are other alternative heating methods, which can help save on your energy bills, like installing Napoleon wood stoves. Modern wood stoves are energy efficient and use wood, which is not expensive.

Napoleon Wood Stoves Come in All Different Sizes

Napoleon wood stoves, like the models available on our website, here at New Energy Distributing, come in all different sizes. This variation in size gives you the ability to place wood stoves in all the different rooms in your home. You can even place one in your garage to provide heat, when you use this area as a work shop.

Most modern homes with gas appliances and fireplaces will be connected with CSST gas line. This type of gas pipe is has flexible stainless steel tubing, which is coated with a layer of PVC plastic. Unlike traditional solid steel gas pipes, this type of gas line can be ran in longer sections, which means it costs less to install.

CSST Gas Line Can Be Used for New Connections in Older Homes

CSST gas line, which is available on our website, here at New Energy Distributing, can be used in older homes which have solid steel gas pipes when you need to connect a new gas appliance, fireplace or stove. You just need to find an area of your current gas pipe where you can tee the new line into the system. You should use a solid steel tee with your existing gas pipe, and then connect the flexible gas line to the new connection.

Solid steel gas pipes are only a short length and often involve working with different elbows. You have to securely connect each section of the solid steel gas pipe together with the next section. Once the entire line has been run, then you have to check each joint for possible gas leaks. An easier option is to use flexible gas pipe, which is less expensive and easier to work with, than solid steel gas pipes.

Determining the Length of Flexible Gas Pipe You Require

To determine the length of flexible gas pipe, which is available on our website, here at New Energy Distributing, you will need to take some measurements. You can split a gas line at any point, by installing a tee. You will want to measure from under the home or in the basement, from the where you will install the tee, to under where the appliance will be located. Using this measurement, you will want to add additional length for running it through the floor, as well as having sufficient length to connect to the appliance.

When looking at different models of Napoleon stoves, you need to keep in mind each model has its own requirements. First, you will need to have a chimney used with wood burning models or a direct vent with gas models. The next thing you need to do is determine the required amount of clearance and space needed for the stove. You can do this by measuring the area around where you want to place the stove in your home. Should you have limited space, there are models available which only require about eight inches of clearance.

Wood Burning Napoleon Stoves Do Not Need a Traditional Exterior Chimney

Modern wood burning Napoleon stoves, like those available on our website, here at New Energy Distributing, will require a chimney. Unlike traditional fireplaces of yesterday, today's chimneys can be run through just about any location in the home. You can choose a traditional exterior wall chimney or even place the chimney along an interior wall in your home.

A stainless steel chimney linerprovides an enclosed space for smoke and other fumes from a fire to be exhausted to the outside of your home. Many older homes with brick chimneys often did not include a liner. Without a liner, soot, creosote and other deposits can quickly build up, which requires more frequent cleanings. By adding an insulated liner, you will cut down the speed at which deposits build up, while also creating a better draft.

Deciding Between a Rigid and a Flexible Stainless Steel Chimney Liner

When you are installing a stainless steel chimney liner, like those available on our website, here at New Energy Distributing, you need to decide between rigid and flexible styles. Rigid styles are ideal when you only have one story to run the chimney and have no corners to go around. Flexible liners are better suited when lining the chimney for two or more stories or when you have corners to navigate the liner around.

When you are installing a brand new gas fireplace or stove, you will want to determine the best placement in the room. It is common to place the gas unit in a corner or along an exterior wall.

Chimney pipeis required for venting different types of fireplaces and appliances in your home. Certain types of older homes with fireplaces often have brick and clay chimneys along the exterior of the home. Newer model homes can use steel piping for chimneys instead, which allows the fireplace to be placed in the interior of the home and away from exterior walls. Placing the fireplace in the interior provides better heating efficiency and keeps more heat in the home, instead of going up and out the chimney.

Replace Chimney Pipe with Compatible Replacement Pieces

When replacing chimney pipe it is important that you look for steel piping, like is available on our website, here at New Energy Distributing, which is compatible with your existing fireplace or other type of appliance. The reason you want compatible piping is to prevent gaps between pieces as well as ensure snug connections to prevent smoke and other gases from escaping out of the chimney.

There are different types of chimney linerswhich you can use to line your chimney. When you are converting your wood burning fireplace to a gas burning fireplace and using the existing chimney as a vent, it is a good idea to install a flexible aluminum liner. You do not need to insulate the liner when using aluminum gas vent pipe.

Use Stainless Steel Chimney Liners with Today's Modern Fireplaces

Many older homes with fireplaces do not have any type of chimney liner installed because they have brick chimneys. However, with today's modern heating efficient fireplaces, it is important to install stainless steel chimney liners, available on our website, here at New Energy Distributing, which will fit into the existing brick chimney. You should also insulate the liner to ensure that temperatures are kept constant and insulation also helps slow down the buildup of creosote.