Deciding which fireplace is right for you
Fireside Chat
By Larissa Lytwyn/Life@Home
As nights sharpen from brisk to downright cold, it’s time to move inside for warmth. “You can’t beat the feeling of curling up in front of a big crackling fire with someone you love,” says Matt Thornton of Saratoga Fireplace and Stove. But with all the options out there — inside, outside, wood-burning, gas and pellet — what is the best, most economical choice?
While the answer ultimately depends on the homeowner’s needs, the experts we talked to spoke most positively of flexible gas fireplaces and stoves, and eco-friendly pellet options.
Going for the Gas
Although “safe is a relative term I avoid using, I would describe a gas appliance as a more controllable (one),” says Carl Celella, general manager of Northeastern Fireplace and Design in Selkirk. “The most detrimental thing I see is that they’re installed incorrectly.” He recommends buyers use an interior gas hearth specialist certified by the National Fireplace Institute for installation. “Another thing to be careful of is having a protective screen in
front of the glass,” Celella says, because it can get dangerously hot. This is especially important if you have small children.
Thornton agrees that gas fireplaces are “more flexible … and can be installed in many places you could not put woodburning fireplaces.” Where a traditional-style, open fireplace requires a vertical vented chimney system, for instance, a direct vent gas fireplace can vent horizontally.
Strapped on Time? Avoid Wood
Thornton says that if you’ve got the time, burning wood “can be a good cost-savings, but you’re trading sweat for savings.” And then there’s the mess from dragging in insects and bark with your wood, splitting wood, cleaning up ash — to name just a few of the myriad duties. Busier people, then, might choose a gas fireplace or pellet stove for its cost-efficiency. “Gas requires little active input from the consumer as long as it’s serviced
regularly by a qualified technician,” he says.
Bottom line? “The only benefit of an open fireplace is that it’s aesthetically pleasing,” Celella says, with a timeless romantic appeal. But with modern gas-options available, it’s also the least practical.
Warming Up to Pellet Stoves
Pellet stoves are freestanding appliances that don’t require a chimney. They burn compressed wood pellets (grains including corn work, too!) to create heat. By slowly feeding fuel from a storage container (called a hopper), they create a constant flame and are low-maintenance, controlled by the thermostat. In lieu of a chimney, they use a specially sealed exhaust pipe to prevent exhaust gasses from escaping into the living space. They can also be used as inserts into existing fireplaces
In states including New York, the 75 percent efficient Harman stove is eligible for a tax credit of up to 30 percent of the cost of the appliance, plus labor. “Pellets are great for cost savings, except they’re dependent on electricity, so they’re not much help in a power outage,” Thornton says. Thornton also says the air patterns and close-quarters of a space like a bedroom might not be the best idea for a pellet.
Still, “Harman (pellet) stoves are the most intelligent, best performing stove on the market,” says Lucas Stritsman, manager of Best Fire Hearth and Patio, with locations in Albany and Troy. Not surprisingly, they’re an increasingly popular option. “Everybody is looking to cut down on their fuel bill,” Celella says, “and (pellets) can be a way to do it.”
Toasty All Night Long
Everyone knows the benefits of natural gas over electric, but what are some other cost-cutting, heat-maximizing options for winter?
Install optimal thermostats. Avoid walking into a frosty home by installing an optimal thermostat, Celella says. Pre-programmed to keep your temperature “even,” it will help save money in the long run.
Buy Ecofans. Specially designed for wood stoves, ecofans create their own electricity from the heat of the stove. Each fan can move air up to 150 CFM.
Keep your stove windows slightly open. Thornton says you can conserve heat by keeping your stove windows slightly ajar, containing heat.
Invest in seal-tight dampers. Celella says seal-tight fireplace dampers are an excellent way to prevent heat loss. If your damper produces a noticeable draft (escaping air), purchase a seal-tight one to ensure maximum efficiency.