On a cold Sussex day, nothing “warms” up a space (metaphorically speaking) like a blazing fireplace. The light, sound and movement all blend for a romantic, relaxing environment.
Unfortunate fact is, an open-hearth woodburning fireplace barely heats a room. Up to 90 percent of the fire’s heat goes up the chimney. An open fire actually sucks more heat out of a space than it could ever return. Homeowners run a fire risk from airborne sparks landing on flammable surfaces, as well.
Like to make your fireplace experience safer, far warmer and more pleasurable)? {Upgrade with a sleek, highly-efficient fireplace insert in Sussex!
Fitting right into the fireplace opening, a fireplace insert for a woodburning fireplace is a self-contained component that sends heat directly into a room, rather than sending most through a chimney. The fire can be seen through a glass panel. The ambiance remains – along with far more warmth!
Homeowners can choose between gas fireplace inserts and wood fireplace inserts. Both are offered by Butler Chimneys, your fireplace and chimney inspection company in Sussex.
A gas insert is perfect for those who want instant, low-maintenance fire. The fire literally turns on at the flip of a switch. Available in a broad selection of designs, gas fireplace inserts are fast, clean, and little work to operate and maintain.
A woodburning fireplace insert produces significantly more heat than gas. The work required is much greater, though. A fire has to be physically started, wood added, and air controls adjusted to moderate the blaze. Because it burns so efficiently, a wood fireplace insert uses much less timber than an open-hearth design. For those with unlimited or cheap sources of firewood in Sussex, a wood burning insert can be additional heating source for a home.
The decision between gas or woodburning is purely user preference. Many Sussex homeowners proactively install insert-style fireplaces for enhanced heat and cleanliness, often when building homes.
The alternative situation for adding an insert is when a fireplace inspection discovers cracked or missing flue tiles. Installing a brand-new insert will avoid many issues, and is often less costly than doing repairs. The decision might not be too hard.
Fireplace inserts are made of heavy-gauge sheet steel. The doors are cast iron, which allows highly-effective heat conduction. Fire is completely enclosed within, seen through ceramic glass, and can be left unattended.
Smoke is expelled through a new stainless steel liner installed inside the chimney. Wood fireplace inserts use a single 6-inch liner; gas, two 3-inch liners, one for providing air to the firebox, and another for expelling gases.
Butler Chimneys regularly installs fireplace inserts – gas or wood – in homes in Sussex in one day. If the former is added, a new fuel line is run from a gas source elsewhere in the house.
New stainless steel chimney liners have lifetime warranties. Their installation can sometimes allow homeowners to skip expensive chimney repairs that would otherwise be needed to ensure safe venting of fireplace gases.
Another advantage of fireplace inserts? If power goes out, they remain a steady, reliable heat source. In severe weather, they can literally be a lifesaver.
Ready to look into a fireplace insert? Contact Butler Chimneys. You’ll enjoy the ambiance of a fireplace … and a far warmer, more comfortable space around you!