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The Benefits of Using Wood Burning Appliances

Homeowners across the nation and around the world prefer to have a fireplace, whether they’re renting, owning, or putting in a business. Installing a fireplace brings warmth and comfort to any space, and the magic of a fireplace is only made better when the fire is fueled by wood.

Why Choose Wood

Wood fires burn hotter than other fuel types while offering the beautiful yellow flame and crackling fire that every homeowner wants in a fire. A wood fire appliance is especially convenient for homeowners who own their own property with trees to cut themselves. When the wood is easily accessible, it’s an easy decision to make. What about those who don’t have trees to cut? Can they still burn wood? We say yes! Many of our customers who burn firewood do so by purchasing from a local supplier. It is possible to find properly seasoned firewood no matter where you live. You can pay to have it delivered, or can pick it up yourself. Just make sure you check out the wood before you make the purchase and that you’re getting what you pay for.

How Much Wood

In today’s economy, it’s rare to find a household which is solely heated with wood. It is more economical to use central heating. Many homeowners keep a fireplace and wood on hand for emergencies, for supplemental or zone heating, and for the ambiance of it. If you burn wood every day throughout winter, you might burn a cord every two weeks. If you burn sparingly, a cord may last all winter. Just be sure you budget appropriately and stay safe and warm, burning only seasoned firewood. Burning green or “wet” wood will lead to more creosote output and cause buildup and more frequent service appointments.

Wood-Burning Appliances and Services

Despite being one of the oldest methods of heating, wood fireplaces still require professional maintenance. They are not low-maintenance by any means, and only an experienced chimney professional should make installations, repairs, and routine and necessary maintenance.

Chief Chimney Services services wood fire appliances and fireplaces. If you live in our area and have a fireplace, look no further than Long Island’s #1 choice for comprehensive chimney care. Our staff of master masons, CSIA certified chimney sweeps, and fire experts are code compliant and field-trained. We specialize in historic chimneys, which are mostly wood-burning fireplaces, and can remodel, update, reface, and repair them with precision and ease.

Now is the time to have your wood-burning appliance serviced if you haven’t already. Most house fires occur during winter months. If you have a fire this year, don’t let it be from your chimney. Most chimney fires are 100% preventable and these routine services can save lives.

Schedule a chimney sweep to sweep away dangerous creosote and soot that can drop your efficiency and raise fire risk.
Schedule an inspection to have the chimney system inspected. Our certified sweeps will spot damage and hazards before your home is in danger, and make recommendations and repairs before your minor damage turns to winter damage.

Call and get on the books today at 631-863-2460

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Wood-Burning Appliances

It’s the season of pumpkin-spice-lattes, corn mazes, and steaming cocoa by a crackling fire. Many homeowners use the fireplace as a home decor focal point, a backdrop for family photos and festivities, and supplemental heat. You may not have a fireplace yet and desperately want one. A properly-installed or well-constructed fireplace or fire appliance can bring up the value of your home, help decrease utility bills, and enhance the holiday spirit. The fan favorite is the wood-burning fireplace because of the natural ambiance it creates. Wood produces beautiful flames, crackling and hissing of the wood, and has high heat output. It isn’t all wonderful, however. There are drawbacks to choosing wood, but we can help. 

Benefits of Wood Fires

Accessibility of fuel – When you choose wood-burning appliances, you are able to use wood from your own land or personal supply. You simply have to cut, store, and haul wood yourself. If you don’t have a readily accessible wood supply, you can find a local supplier quite easily. Just make sure your wood is properly-seasoned and that you’re getting what you pay for.
High heat output – When you choose your wood type, you can even control how much heat your fire produces. Today’s wood-burning appliances are equipped with many new technologies that allow better control of temperature as well.
Eco-friendly – Today’s manufacturers have made strides to produce high-efficiency wood-burning appliances. Wood furnaces, stoves, inserts, and fireplaces can be highly-efficient and leave less of a “carbon footprint” than ever before.
Versatile designs and models – The wood-burning appliance used to lend itself to rustic decor only, but no more. Now you can choose a wood-burning appliance that compliments a sleek contemporary look, a traditional rustic one, or any variety in between.

Drawbacks to Burning Wood

Wood fires require more service appointments than gas or pellet appliances. This is not due to the performance of the appliance, but rather the material burned. Gas is the cleanest burning fuel, so it produces no creosote and very little soot. Pellets appliances burn at such high-efficiency that they also produce less waste. However, firewood, even properly-seasoned firewood, will produce soot and creosote no matter how well it burns. It also produces ash which can be a pain to remove and dispose of and the wood chips and dust can make a mess. When you’re burning wood, half the work is in cleaning up the mess. Fortunately, a lot of that work should be done by the professionals.

Chief Chimney Services Wood Appliances

If you have a wood-burning appliance and haven’t had it inspected or cleaned in the last 12 months, now is the time. Keeping the appliance well-maintained through professional services will keep it working safely and properly. Call us at 631-863-2460 and talk with a professional about economical wood-burning appliances today.

Benefits of Wood-Burning Appliances

There are many options for fireplaces and furnaces today including a variety of fuel and designs. There are many products and appliances available that can supplement your central heat or heat your home completely. It can be difficult to decide which to purchase and install in your dream home. Therefore, it’s important to educate yourself on your options so you can make a choice you can live with.

Today’s Wood-Burning Appliances

Wood-burning stoves are more economical than they’ve ever been. The appliances themselves are designed for efficiency that allow for high heat output. The new designs on the market are also beautifully made. They are available in all kinds of styles and colors to match a wide variety of home decor.

Renewable Fuel Source

Wood is also economical because it is a renewable resource. Split wood can be cut, collected, and properly seasoned at home. If it’s not possible for you to collect and replenish your own wood pile, you can often find a reliable source for wood. If you are looking to purchase split wood it’s important to find a source that cuts hard woods and allows the wood to dry properly. You can check the wood yourself by checking the corners that should begin cracking, and the color which should begin graying, as the wood dries.

Free of Utilities and Electricity

Another great benefit of wood-burning appliances is that they still burn when the electricity goes out. During winter storms in which others lose electric heat, you can maintain a fire in your appliance and stay warm. Some appliances have a blower that helps circulate the heat throughout the home, but even if the blower is unavailable during a winter storm, your furnace will still provide adequate heat for you, but they will not work when the electricity is out.

Aesthetics of a Wood-Burning Appliance

Wood is the only fuel that creates an authentic flame that so many homeowners long for in a fireplace. The appliances that Sweeps America offer a high-heat front window that allows you to view the flames in the same way you could with an open fireplace, except without the particulate pollution and the low efficiency of an open fireplace.

High Heat

Today’s wood-burning appliances can warm a room quickly, and some appliances can maintain heat in the entire home. When you have access to wood, it is an inexpensive way to heat your home. Gas prices can be unpredictable, and pellet stoves require homeowners to buy pellets regularly. Wood is the only fuel source that anyone can have access.

There are numerous benefits for wood-burning appliances. If you are ready to choose, purchase, and install your wood-burning appliance, our certified chimney sweeps are ready to work with you. Call Chief Chimney Services at 631-863-2460 or schedule an appointment online today!

Proper Use of a Wood-Burning Appliance

Winter is closing in fast, seeing as much of the country has already experienced the first snowfall of the season. With forecasts predicting a winter just as brutal as the last, people are thinking hard about how to stay warm. Jackets, hats, scarves, and gloves will suffice for being outside, but keeping warm inside requires something different. For homeowners utilizing wood-burning appliances, like stoves, fireplaces or furnaces, now is the time to start stocking up on fuel before it becomes too scarce.

Types of Wood to Burn

Before even considering what species of tree you should choose to burn in the fireplace, the first trait of firewood to consider is its dryness. Dry firewood has gone through a “seasoning” process, meaning it has sat inside and been allowed to dry out for a set amount of time. Some wood only needs six months to season, while denser varieties can require up to two years to fully season. If the wood you bought was stacked outside, it likely contains a high water content, and that sets you up for cool, smoky fires.

The next factor to consider is the hardness of the wood. Do hardwoods or softwoods burn better? Naturally, that depends. Hardwoods, like oak, maple, and hickory, burn very hot and for a long time. These woods also create a hot bed of coals to increase the temperature and longevity of the fire. On the downside, they do not light very easily. Softwoods, on the other hand, light quickly and make good kindling. They do not serve well for long-term fires, though, because they burn fast and at lower temperatures. In essence, a good mixture of the two types of wood should meet your wood-burning needs.

Along with good types of wood to burn, you also need to know what not to burn. As discussed, wet wood is a poor choice. Much of the fires energy goes toward boiling the water instead of producing heat, which wastes your money. Also, do not burn paper or other thin materials because they burn very fast and hot, and this can damage parts of your appliance or chimney. Of course, avoid burning synthetic materials, including plastics and foams, because they release harmful materials into the air.

How to Burn Properly

Everyone with a fireplace has at least a general idea of how to start a fire, but many people do not know how to start a fire well and keep it going efficiently. First, you need to open your damper to allow the fumes to escape once the fire is lit. If the damper is low in the chimney, allow it to sit open for a few minutes before lighting up to let the flue warm up slightly. When starting the fire, start is small so it does not consume oxygen too quickly and extinguish itself. If the fire seems to sputter after burning for a few minutes, the oxygen concentration might be too low. Try opening a window or letting the fire shrink in size.

For more information and tips on proper use of a wood-burning fireplace, stove, or furnace, contact Chief Chimney Services, Inc.