EB Design Air Inc. Blog : Posts Tagged ‘Fireplace’

Beware of Creosote Build-Up in Your Chimney

Monday, November 21st, 2016

If you have a fireplace in your Wycoff, NJ home, chances are you’ve already used it a few times this fall. Fireplaces are cozy and romantic, and can make a great way for you to heat your home without costing you an arm and a leg. But like any other appliances, fireplaces must be maintained, lest their operation create unexpected problems for your home. One of the biggest issues fireplace owners have to contend with is the build-up of creosote in the chimney, which can prove a stubborn irritant or even a threat if it persists long enough.

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Time to Get Your Fireplace Ready

Monday, September 19th, 2016

September is moving right along here in Franklin Lakes, NJ and fall officially arrives this week. That makes it the ideal time to take a close look at your fireplace if you have one, and get it ready for use again. Fireplaces usually sit untouched throughout the summer months but the cozy atmosphere they provide — to say nothing of inexpensive heat — can be a boon to your household. With proper preparation, you can ensure that your fireplace does its job without trouble throughout our long East Coast winter. Here’s a quick list of some steps to take to help make sure that happens.

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Get Your Fireplace Ready for the Off Season

Monday, May 16th, 2016

Fireplaces are an ideal atmospheric addition to your home, and with rainy spring nights, can be used to make a warm and cozy atmosphere late into the season. But with spring turning to summer here in Ramsey, NY, your fireplace likely won’t be used again until the fall. That makes this the best time to get your fireplace ready for the off-season with cleaning and maintenance. A trained chimney sweep can do the job admirably, and you can help that process with a few steps of your own.

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Common Late Winter Problems with Your Fireplace

Monday, February 29th, 2016

Your fireplace is an easy and inexpensive way to stay warm in the winter months, and here in the Stony Point, NY area, it can be an absolutely invaluable part of your household. But as we enter the last few weeks of winter, you should watch out for damage or other issues with your fireplace. Now is the time to get those issues addressed, before our final spate of cold weather results in a problem that takes a lot more time and money to fix. Here are some common late-winter problems with your fireplace.

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Reasons to Consider a Standard Wood-Burning Fireplace

Friday, March 28th, 2014

Today you have many options for installing a fireplace or freestanding stove in your home. Gas logs inserts, electric fireplaces, and high-efficiency wood-pellet burning stoves are attractive alternatives to the old-fashioned hearth with wood logs stacked on it.

However, you shouldn’t count out the grand old wood fireplace entirely. The invention of the electric guitar didn’t mean the acoustic guitar vanished, and the same is true for the wood-burning fireplace. If you are considering installing a fireplace in your home, keep the traditional model in mind—it may end up as your best choice.

To find out about all your options for fireplaces in Suffern, NY, call Design Air Inc today. We have a Master Hearth Professional on staff to answer all your questions about fireplace installation.

The Advantages of a Wood-Burning Fireplace

Gas furnaces are convenient and easy to maintain, but there are some places where wood fireplaces come out ahead:

Fuel expense: Although natural gas costs less than electricity, oil, or propane, wood is generally less expensive. You also won’t need to rely on utility companies for power, and this is great in case of emergency losses of service during storms.
Carbon neutral energy: Burning wood is better for the environment: it releases the same amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as the tree absorbed itself during growth. Wood is also a renewable resource, unlike fossil fuels, and you’ll help support local industries.
Aesthetics: This is a more subjective advantage, of course, but when most people think of cozying up in front of a roaring fire, they’re thinking about a wood fire, not a gas one. Gas fires lack the crack and snap that comes from burning wood logs, and they do not generate the rustic aroma of wood. If you plan to have a fireplace as a major part of your life during winter, it’s perhaps better to bypass the simple “switch it on” ease of a gas fire and opt instead for the original model.

There’s no doubt that a wood-burning fireplace requires extra work on the homeowner’s part compared to the convenience of a gas fire, and they are less efficient at providing heat. Before you decide that you want the beauty of a classic wood hearth in your home, speak to a fireplace specialist to learn about all your available options.

Design Air Inc has many years of experience installing, maintaining, and repairing all types of fireplaces in Suffern, NY. Call us today to find out more.

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How Do Freestanding Stoves Vent?

Monday, February 24th, 2014

If you thought that the pleasant warmth of a fireplace in your home were out of reach because you don’t have a chimney or the room to build one, allow us to introduce you to the freestanding stove. A freestanding stove, burning either wood, high-efficiency wood pellets, or gas, allows you to enjoy the comfort of a roaring hearth without needing a masonry chimney. Stoves are also excellent additions to your heating system, since the heated metal of their casings transfers high levels of BTUs to wherever they are installed, producing the same warmth as a furnace.

A common question people have about freestanding stoves is ventilation. How does ventilation work without a fireplace, and how and where should the stove be installed? We’ll answer that in this post. For more information about freestanding stoves, call Design Air Inc and talk to our experts on fireplaces in Spring Valley, NY.

The Workings of a Freestanding Stove

The modern freestanding stove is a marvelous merger of old world concepts with contemporary heating and ventilation technology. A freestanding stove (in other words, one that isn’t an insert put into a fireplace hearth) stands either on legs or a pedestal a few inches from the floor and away from the walls. The smoke from inside the stove is sent into stovepipe that either comes out the top or the back the unit.

This stovepipe then goes through the nearest wall and into a ventilation chimney. “But I don’t have chimney!” you say. That’s fine: we’re not referring to a large masonry chimney (although if you do have one, it will certainly suffice), but to a factory-built chimney made up of sections that can be installed out of sight within the wall. This then vents the smoke up through the roof.

You may have seen freestanding stoves available at large retail stores for low prices. Be cautious: these devices rarely meet EPA standards and do not provide either the heat level or the beauty you want from a substitute for a fireplace.

Instead of going with a non-regulation off-the-shelf stove, contact a professional stove installation company with a wide range of options. The staff can help you pick the right stove for your needs, and then place it in your house and vent it safely.

If you are interested in putting in a freestanding wood, pellet, or gas stove for you house, you’ll find all you need at Design Air Inc. We have specialists in fireplaces in Spring Valley, NY who can answer your questions and steer you to the right stove.

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What Is a Master Hearth Professional?

Monday, January 13th, 2014

If you have looked over our page about the services we offer for fireplaces, you may have noticed that we have a Master Hearth Professional on our staff who is at your disposal to answer questions and help you choose the right style and model of fireplace for your Pomona, NY home. That sounds very official—and it is—but perhaps you’re curious about what a Master Hearth Professional is and why having one on staff gives Design Air Inc an advantage in offering excellent fireplace services.

Master Hearth Professionals: NFI-Certified Specialists

As with any specialized service, working on fireplaces requires expert knowledge and training. The technical training required for hearths of any kind is extensive, since it involves different forms of fuel and familiarity with venting systems and hearth construction. The National Fireplace Institute® (NFI) is the professional certification division of the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Education Foundation (HPBEF), a non-profit educational organization. According to the NFI’s website, the group aims to “increase public safety by establishing meaningful credentials for professionals involved in planning and installing residential hearth appliances and venting systems.”

As of 2002, the NFI certifies fireplace installers in three categories: gas specialist, woodburning specialist, and pellet specialist. A fireplace specialist who receives certification in all three categories receives additional certification as a Master Hearth Professional. According to the NFI, “These individuals have reached the highest level of certification in the hearth industry.”

A Master Hearth Professional knows all the different forms of fuel that can burn in a fireplace, and has skill in the selection of the proper fuel, the assurance of safe venting, the correct materials to protect walls and floors, and the necessary compliances with code regulations. In short, you won’t find anyone more qualified to help you select a fireplace for you home and help with its installation.

The Design Air Inc Advantage

Why is it so important that Design Air Inc have a Master Hearth Specialists on staff? Because at Design Air Inc we offer a large range of fireplaces and stoves. Gas log inserts, freestanding wood and pellet stoves, electric inserts… this variety requires a technician who is knowledgeable in all fields of fireplace installation and maintenance. We’re proud that for your fireplace in Pomona, NY we have a certified Master Hearth Specialist to give you the advice you need to make the best choice your home.

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How to Keep Your Fireplace Safe

Monday, November 18th, 2013

No matter what kind of heating system you have in your home, it can pose safety hazards if used incorrectly, left without repairs, or fails to receive regular inspection. Your fireplace is no different, even if it’s not the main source of heat for you, but a way to brighten your home and bring coziness to the winter season.

Whether you have gas logs, a freestanding wood or pellet stove, or an electric insert providing you the comforts of a fireplace, you can count on Design Air Inc to provide you the repairs and maintenance necessary to keep you and your family safe. We service all types of fireplaces in New City, NY and the surrounding areas.

Here are some ways to have improved fireplace safety:

Watch out for creosote: If your fireplace burns wood, the number one safety hazard you can encounter is creosote, a shiny black substance that will start appearing on the hearth and chimney bricks. Creosote is unburned wood energy, and because it is highly combustible it can cause fires. Schedule yearly maintenance and cleaning to keep creosote from causing trouble.

Animals in the chimney: Birds, squirrels, and sometimes raccoons can seek shelter inside chimneys. Birds building nests are a common problem, and it can lead to blocking the chimney, allowing smoke to get into your home. Have a chimney cap installed to keep animals (as well as larger debris) out.

Gas leak dangers: Many modern fireplaces use natural gas as their fuel source, and natural gas always carries a hazard of toxic gas leaking, although a fireplace is no more dangerous than any other natural-gas powered heater. Carbon monoxide leaking is the main threat; even though this gas is naturally odorless and colorless, manufacturers will lace it with a scent to make it easier to detect. Do not attempt to fix gas leak problems on your own: this requires professionals.

Annual maintenance: Any fireplace should receive a yearly check-up from a technician to make sure there are no issues that might turn dangerous. A clean fireplace is also an attractive fireplace, so make sure you sign up for annual maintenance.

Design Air Inc is available 24/7 with the repairs you need to keep your fireplace safe. We can perform most repairs on the spot, so you won’t have long to wait before you can have your roaring hearth back. Sign up for routine maintenance with us as well. Trust our many years of experience with fireplaces in New City, NY.

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Isn’t a Fireplace a Bit Old Fashioned for Heating in North Bergen County?

Monday, November 11th, 2013

The technology of home heating systems has advanced tremendously over the last century, and it continues its march toward providing better warmth and energy efficiency for your house. So it might seems strange to suggest having a fireplace to help with heating in North Bergen County, NJ. It’s so… quaint.

Of course, the quaintness of a fireplace is one of the reasons people have them in the first place. There’s nothing more cozy or inviting during a chilly winter winter than roaring flames in a hearth. But there’s more to modern fireplaces than that, as we’ll explain.

Design Air Inc is proud to serve your home’s heating needs—whether it’s for the “old fashioned” fireplace or the newest model of ductless split heat pumps. Our motto: “We won’t leave your home or business until you are 100% satisfied.”

Efficient fireplace options

Although the standard wood-burning fireplace is a pleasant way to enjoy the beauty of a glowing hearth, there are ways to get much more efficient heat from your fireplace that will work as an addition to your central heating system.

Gas log inserts are one of the best ways to change your old fireplace into an efficient heating option for your home. However, you will need professionals to take care of installing gas logs in your home, as you don’t want to tamper with gas lines on your own. Professionals will also inspect your chimney, flue liners, and dampers to make sure everything is in good condition for your new insert.

However, you don’t need access to natural gas to have a fuel-efficient fireplace: there are excellent electrical fireplace inserts that professionals can install in your existing fireplace’s masonry to give you much more effective—and cleaner—heating.

Another thing to keep in mind about fireplaces is that you don’t need a chimney to install a new one. There are free-standing wood and pellet stoves available that can provide you the benefit of extra heat in whatever room you choose. And these models produce enough BTUs (British Thermal Units) to compete with many of the best central furnaces. Pellet stoves have especially high fuel efficiency, making them an ideal way to reduce the strain on your central heater while also getting the aesthetic benefits of a fireplace.

Fireplaces don’t have to be old fashioned—even if they can still outwardly act that way. Contact Design Air Inc if you’re interested in finding a new way to increase your heating in North Bergen County, NJ that has the pleasing feel of the old way.

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Nyack Fireplace Tip: What You Should Know about Gas Log Installation

Monday, October 28th, 2013

Fireplaces were once the only way homes could get heat. Even though furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, and other modern systems have superseded them as the most popular ways to heat a home, fireplaces have stayed with us because of the beauty and coziness they provide. A New York winter feels less biting when you can sit in front of a roaring hearth of flames.

But the standard wood-burning fireplace takes a lot of work and maintenance, and you’ll need to purchase and store wood (or go chop your own) to feed it. Scheduling a gas log installation is an alternative for getting the aesthetic of a fireplace without the hassles of dealing with wood.

Design Air Inc. offers comprehensive services for fireplaces along with our many other heating and cooling services. We have a Master Hearth Professional available to answer any questions you might have—this is someone who knows Nyack, NY fireplaces better than just about anybody.

First of all, although it seems like it should be obvious, a gas log installation requires access to natural gas. Another important thing you should know about gas logs is there isn’t just one basic model. When you want to get gas logs installed, you’ll have a choice of many different sizes and styles. You don’t need a chimney, either! There are freestanding models, so if you desire the glowing and pleasing look of a fireplace in your home, you can get it put anywhere you want without a chimney.

But the most important fact you need to know about gas log installation: it requires professionals to get it done. Actually, this is a legal requirement: anyone who installs gas logs must have a permit. This is not only to ensure that the logs go in right, it’s also to protect your safety. Any installation that concerns a gas line poses health risks. The professional installers will take into account the ventilation available to prevent a gas build-up. If you use a chimney, the installation experts will give it a thorough inspection to see that it poses no problems for the new gas logs.

Design Air Inc. has a wide selection of gas logs to fit Nyack, NY fireplaces: we can find one that will match your home, and install it so you won’t have to worry about your safety. We won’t leave you in your home with your new gas logs until you are 100% satisfied—that’s our promise.

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