If you’re asking what can happen if you go too long without a chimney cleaning, it’s likely time to schedule chimney cleaning before using your fireplace again. The reality is that it can be hazardous to use a fireplace when the chimney hasn’t been cleaned for more than a year or two. The danger posed Read more…

Modern zero-clearance fireplaces and powerful fireplace inserts can be assets to any home. If you’re thinking of buying a new heating appliance, here are a few things to consider before you finalize a purchase. What is the purpose of the new fireplace? Probably the obvious answer is “to heat my home.”  If that’s the reason for Read more…

Pellet stoves have remarkably high efficiency ratings of up to 86%. They’ve actually been deemed smokeless heating appliances by the EPA because of the small amount of emissions created when the fuel is burned. A pellet stove is an excellent heating appliance that can significantly reduce heating costs. Homeowners should be aware, however, that pellet Read more…

Chimneys are out of sight and out of mind. The reality is that chimneys come with heightened risks when left without regular inspections or maintenance. When homeowners learn the potential dangers and expenses associated with chimneys, they know it can be far too costly and hazardous to ignore them. The following are important chimney basics Read more…

A leaky chimney is no fun. Just ask anyone who’s spent huge amounts of money on chimney repair services after water has caused severe damage. While we can’t stop the water in the form of rain and snow, we definitely can keep our chimneys in great shape and do quite a bit to prevent new Read more…

If you own a fireplace, you already know the many benefits it brings you during the cold season. When maintained properly and operated with safe practices, a fireplace will do its job well for many years while people in the home safely enjoy it. Because safety with fireplaces is so important, here are seven fireplace Read more…

Anyone who has endured a Wisconsin winter knows one thing is certain: it’s going to be cold all winter long. A fireplace is one of the ways we combat the cold, but if the fireplace isn’t running at peak efficiency, you won’t get much of a reprieve from the chill. Here are six ways to Read more…

Your hearth may be the best architectural feature in your home, but have you noticed cold air coming in through your fireplace when it isn’t in use? It’s common for as much as 8% of home heating to escape through the chimneys of traditional masonry fireplaces. By stopping the flow of air through the chimney Read more…

When your chimney operates properly, a draft is created that supports proper combustion and draws hot exhaust gases up, expelling them safely from your home. Hot air rises because it has less density than cold air. Oftentimes, chimneys do not draft properly, resulting in a smoky fireplace. Combustion gases are toxic and can cause respiratory Read more…

Do you have a masonry fireplace? If so, maybe you’ve had problems with sparks flying out of it into the room or warm air leaving your home and going up the chimney. These and several other problems are easily solved by adding a set of handsome glass doors to your fireplace. Glass fireplace doors Aside Read more…