Have you noticed that your heating costs have been increasing each winter? If so, are you ready to do something to make your home more energy efficient in order to lower your utility bills? If you have a traditional wood-burning fireplace, you should consider updating it with a new insert. Those older fireplaces typically have efficiency ratings of only 15 percent. This is because most of the heat produced by the fire goes out the chimney. This makes you have to turn up your furnace to compensate for that heat loss, which is why you are seeing your bills increase.
So, how can you reduce these bills? Convert your older wood-burning fireplace into a more energy efficient heating appliance. Install a new fireplace insert into the existing opening! Aelite Chimney Specialties can help you select the best insert for your home. Afterwards, we also install it so that it works safely and efficiently. However, there is one choice you will need to make. Do you want a wood or gas insert? To help with this decision, we would like to tell you more about the different fuel types.
WOOD-BURNING
If you love the smells, sights, and sounds of your traditional wood-burning fireplace, you will probably be leaning towards this type of insert. New technology has made burning wood much more energy efficient. According to HouseLogic, a wood-burning fireplace insert will have an energy efficiency rating of anywhere between 60 to 80 percent. This is enough for the US Environmental Protection Agency to certify certain models. These inserts will burn longer without as much firewood, which will also save you money. Most models are equipped with fans that circulate the heated air throughout the room. This way you will not have to worry about heated air escaping out of the chimney. However, if you are tired of doing the chores involved with your wood-burning fireplace, you may not be interested in this type of insert.
GAS
Are you ready for convenience and ease while you reduce your heating costs? If so, you will want to consider a gas fireplace insert. You will be able to start a fire from your couch with a remote control! You will not have to bring in firewood from outside anymore; nor will you have to sweep up ashes after a fire. When you are ready to leave your home or go to sleep, you will not have to wait for the fire to die down. You just have to push a button on the remote control to turn off the flames. Gas fireplace inserts burn clean with efficiency ratings of 58 to 85 percent and provide warm, cozy heat. Really, the only drawback is that you do not get the sensory experiences you have with wood fires.
Improve the energy efficiency in your home with a new fireplace insert. Contact us at Aelite Chimney Specialties to find out more about whether wood or gas is best for you!