Fireplace Tips & Tricks

Choosing the Right Fireplace:

• Identify Your Needs: Understand your reasons for getting a fireplace. Are you looking primarily for warmth, ambiance, or both? Assessing your needs will help you choose the right type of fireplace.

• Fuel Type Guide: Learn about different fuel options:

  • Gas: Convenient, efficient, and clean-burning.

  • Wood: Offers a traditional aesthetic and cozy experience.

  • Electric: Versatile, requires no venting, and allows precise heat control.

• Design Harmony: Consider the style of your home and choose a fireplace design that complements it, whether it's modern, traditional, or something in between.

Maintenance & Operation:

• Routine Maintenance: Regularly clean the fireplace, including the glass, logs, and vents. Hire a professional for an annual inspection to ensure everything is in working order.

• Efficient Operation: Use your fireplace's controls correctly. For gas fireplaces, adjust the thermostat and flame settings for optimal heating and energy efficiency.

• Safety Checks: Check for any signs of damage, gas leaks (if applicable), or irregularities. Ensure the flue is open before lighting a wood-burning fireplace to prevent smoke from entering the room.

Safety First:

• Kid-Friendly Tips: Install safety gates around the fireplace to keep children at a safe distance. Teach them that the fireplace is hot and not to touch it. Store matches and lighters out of reach. If you have a direct vent insert or fireplace, you will already have a screenfront on your unit but make sure it is always attached when the unit is on to keep children from touching the glass.

• Pet Safety: Use a fireplace screen to prevent pets from getting too close. Keep flammable materials away, and trim any loose fur that might catch fire.

• Fireplace Safety Essentials: Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors nearby. Keep a fire extinguisher handy and educate everyone in the house about proper fireplace safety.

Pro Tips & Tricks:

• Enhancing Ambiance: Use candles, lanterns, or fairy lights around the fireplace to enhance the cozy atmosphere, even when it's not in use. Just be sure to keep these things away from combustible materials. Be sure to keep flammable materials off your mantels and away from the fireplace.

• Efficiency Boosters: Most fireplace units have the option to add a blower. If your room is large, think about adding a blower to your unit to circulate that heat to larger areas.

• Seasonal Considerations: In winter, keep the damper open while the fireplace is in use and closed when it's not. In summer, close the damper to prevent cooled air from escaping. If you have a direct vent gas unit that has an IPI or CPI mode, keep it in CPI mode during the winter. Keeping the pilot on throughout the winter provides just enough heat into the pipes to provide proper airflow.