The crisp crackle and comforting warmth of a fire is unlike any other heat. Fire has brought comfort and warmth to humanity for milenia. It is not only a way to produce heat but also a place for family and friends to gather for conversation and memories. For those reasons, a fireplace can be a wonderful centerpiece or focal point in your home. McFate’s Heating and Cooling is one of the few HVAC companies in the valley that both installs and repairs fireplaces.
There are many variables to consider when choosing the best option for your home. The structure and layout of your home, as well as the desired location help determine if you can install a freestanding stove or fireplace. Due to these many variables, we recommend scheduling a consultation with one of our technicians to determine the best option and location for your home.
If you’re wanting that timeless look, a fireplace insert may be the choice for you. Fireplace inserts are naturally a focal point for the room. Newly manufactured inserts not only have that ambiance and traditional appearance, but they are also made for efficiency, so no matter what fuel type is burned, the heat warms your house, and more efficiently than older models.
Free Standing stoves are another great way to add warmth and ambiance to your home.They come in a variety of styles and sizes to fit the needs of your house or space. Just like inserts, they are manufactured to maximize efficiency, to burn longer, warmer, and cause less pollution.
Choosing the correct fuel option for your house can be determined by a few factors. Availability of fuel, convenience, and budget play a big role in fuel choice.
If you want a rich and crackling heat, then wood might be the right fuel choice for you. If you’re not the wood chopping type, you can purchase wood from local stores or a local lumberjack. Wood fires bring a warmth that can heat the entire home and with the help of a fan can be distributed throughout your house.
If you like the warmth of wood heat, but don’t want to hassle with wood piles and chopping, pellets are a great option as you can purchase from your local hardware store. Pellets can be added to the stove and left alone for up to 6 hours without refilling.
Natural gas or propane are a hassle free option for fuel. The flame will continue to burn with little to no maintenance. As long as gas is available, the flame will burn with the flip of a switch or button. This fuel type does not warm the house as much compared to pellet or wood, but it still brings a supplemental heat and ambiance to the home. If you don’t want the smell of smoke in your house or on your clothes, gas is a great choice.
Many of our customers ask what kind of wood or pellets are best to burn. Hardwoods are the best option for your fireplace or stove. They tend to burn slower and they don’t leave as much of a residue or creosote in your piping as softer woods.
Examples of hardwood: Fruit trees, Alder, Ash, Birch, Beech, Elm
Example of softwood: Pine
Pinewood is readily available in our area, but it is not the best option. Chimney piping has been known to clog within a few months of installation for customers that burn pinewood.
If you are burning wood we recommend that you buy a Wood Moisture Content Meter. The wetter the wood, the more build up and fire hazard you will have in your chimney piping. The dryer the wood the less build up in your pipe. There is a moisture sweet- spot of 15%-20% that helps you maximize the log burning longer without creating build- up in your piping. A Moisture Content meter can be purchased for under $25 and can help you build both a safer and more efficient fire.
