Your Money

Fireplace Inserts Save Energy And Money

Posted: 2/9/2012

Fireplace inserts fit directly into the opening of existing masonry-built fireplaces.

(NAPSI)—Here’s an idea many homeowners may greet warmly: keeping hot air inside when it’s cold out.

In many houses, the problem—surprisingly—comes from something you’d think would keep you warm: traditional open-masonry fireplaces. They just aren’t very efficient. Every minute they burn, these fireplaces can exhaust as much as 300 cubic feet of heated indoor air outside your home, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. That’s 18,000 cubic feet of heated air lost per hour.

As the warm air leaves, cold air from windows, doors and other areas is drawn to the fireplace. This cools the house and forces the furnace to work harder to heat your entire home.

Fortunately, there is a way to enjoy your fireplace without suffering from high energy bills and a drafty house.

A Practical Upgrade

Fireplace inserts fit directly into the opening of existing masonry-built fireplaces and offer enhanced heating performance, style and money-saving efficiency.

Fireplace inserts come in numerous designs and fuel types.

When evaluating gas fireplace inserts, a critical component to look for is Direct Vent technology. Such units have sealed fireboxes and venting that expel 100 percent of exhaust outside of the home—for clean, safe indoor air quality.

One wood-burning insert made by Quadra-Fire is the Voyageur. It blends clean, eco-friendly heating with distinctive cast-iron styling. A robust 46,000 BTU heating capacity heats up to 2,400 square feet and a single load of wood can efficiently burn for up to 12 hours.

An efficient gas fireplace insert is the Heat & Glo Escape I35. It features traditional wood-burning looks through a convenient gas platform. A molded FireBrick ceramic interior radiates 25 percent more heat than metal fireboxes, and an intermittent pilot system conserves energy. There’s a battery backup system, so it works even during a power outage.

“These days, homeowners are seeking more and more ways to increase their home value,” said Diane Utzman-O’Neill of Hearth & Home Technologies, a leading hearth product manufacturer. “Inserts can lower heating costs and revive interior designs.”

Many wood-burning inserts are EPA certified. These appliances save money and meet stringent environmental standards. Pellet-burning inserts are also known for extremely clean and efficient operation.

Learn More

For more facts about these convenient appliances, visit www.fireplaces.com.

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