It takes four times more energy to heat homes than to cool them, according to recent research analysis. This may explain why so many people in Wisconsin look for strategies to cut heating costs. A good question to ask is whether your fireplace or stove can heat your home. Yes, modern solid fuel appliances can Read more…

Chimney fires are more common than you might think. This is because many of them aren’t “full-on” fires that send blazes out the top of the chimney and set fire to the home. But even small chimney fires that start and go out on their own can begin a cycle of damage to your chimney. Read more…

Accentuating your fireplace is an exciting way to add a warm and charming ambiance to your living space. Fireplace accessories are not only decorative but are also necessary tools to manage and control a wood-burning fire. Uplift your fireplace experience with these must-have accessories. Fireplace Tool Set A set of fireplace tools will allow you Read more…

Frustration with smoky, sluggish fires in the fireplace is common among homeowners who are unfamiliar with their heating system. Proper operation depends on all fireplace and chimney components working as they are supposed to. Optimizing the safety and performance of your fireplace is easier when you know your chimney system and how it functions. Understanding Read more…

While you can do some basic chimney inspection work on your own, it pays to have a certified chimney inspector look over your system on an annual basis. Qualified inspectors not only can spot things you may not be able to, but they also can recommend the right kind of repair work that will make Read more…

Fireplaces and chimneys, like many items and appliances in your home, need periodic maintenance. Left unattended year after year, a chimney can become dangerous to use and to live around. Here are some of the reasons fireplace safety and chimney cleaning are so important. Flammable creosote Wood-burning fireplaces create a substance called creosote, which clings Read more…

Have you grown bored with the architecture of your fireplace, or has it become seriously outdated? You don’t have to break the bank or have special skills to start enjoying a new setting for cozy fires in winter. Fireplace makeovers can be remarkably simple and inexpensive, and just a few of many examples follow. Redo Read more…

In Wisconsin, we get some cold nights before actual winter arrives. If you enjoy using your fireplace to take the chill off autumn evenings, here are a few things you should know before you start that first fire. Professional inspection can save you a lot of money If you haven’t had a certified chimney inspection Read more…

Fire is a common source of heat, and it’s also fascinating. Part of the unexplainable joy of warming by a fire in the fireplace is watching the dancing flames. To experience this pleasure in your home, a chimney is needed. Although chimneys are also mysteries to most people, they are routinely ignored by many homeowners. Oftentimes, people simply don’t recognize that annual Read more…

Many ways exist to bring (safe) fire to a backyard living space. You can go with a handsome outdoor fireplace or heating stove, both of which look amazing and can double to some degree as cooking appliances. But the simplest – and possibly most enjoyable – backyard fire appliance, for many people, is the traditional Read more…