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Author: Rachel Martin

A burning natural gas fireplace with a stone wall

Is Installing A Fireplace Insert Worth It?

Written by Rachel Martin on . Posted in Blog.

Heating your home through a brutal winter can sometimes be a tough task, so you’ll need to ensure that whatever heating solution you have has been optimized to its fullest potential! If you have an existing fireplace or stove within your home, there are things that you can do to upgrade its performance. A popular and effective route that you can take to accomplish this is to install a fireplace insert. However, as with any upgrade of this magnitude, you’ll need to know everything you can about it before you make the decision to purchase it. So, is installing an insert for your fireplace really a worthwhile investment? We’ll break down the answer for you below!

It Increases Your Fireplace’s Efficiency

Did you know that a fireplace insert can actually increase the effectiveness of your unit? The biggest reason behind this is that they decrease the amount of open space within your fireplace. More open space within your unit means that more heat that’s supposed to circulate around your room gets trapped within the fireplace. Since fireplace insert seals are airtight, the hot air is forced to exit the unit and populate your space, making it much easier for your unit to heat the room effectively. As a result of the increased efficiency, it will take much less energy to make your room comfortable, lowering your monthly energy bill costs in the process!

It Prevents Bad Gas From Infiltrating Your Room

Especially if you use a wood-burning fireplace, the importance of having an insert installed cannot be overstated. Older fireplace models have the potential to generate noxious gasses, such as carbon monoxide, which can infiltrate your room and cause serious harm to your physical health. Because a fireplace insert is designed to seal off air and contain these noxious gases, installing a new one will only help to increase the safety of your current unit. These units help to contain these harmful gases and prevent them from doing any damage.

Fireplace Inserts Reduce Your Environmental Impact

The switch to eco-friendly materials and practices has certainly ramped up in the last couple of years, and a new fireplace insert can help you stay up-to-date with the times and trends. Because of the fact that fireplace inserts can trap a lot of harmful air, it ensures that this air isn’t released into the outside world, either! If you’re looking to decrease your carbon footprint, a fireplace insert is a great way to accomplish this.

Fireplace Inserts With The Stove Shoppe

If you need a new fireplace, stove, or insert for an existing unit, The Stove Shoppe has the most advanced and effective options! Especially with weather conditions as volatile as New England’s, ensuring that your home stays at a comfortable temperature throughout the winter months is paramount. Secure the comfort and luxury of a new fireplace or stove when you contact The Stove Shoppe today!

A man uses a screwdriver to install an electric fireplace

Signs of Needing To Replace Your Stove

Written by Rachel Martin on . Posted in Blog.

Household appliances like stoves make everyday life so much easier! The only problem with these appliances is that they don’t last forever. Eventually, you’ll have to trade in your older model for a newer one. Especially in the case of stoves, failure to do so before it’s too late can have a significant negative impact on your monthly energy bill costs! The best way to prevent yourself from spending more money than you have to is to be able to identify the signs of needing to replace them. We’ll go over some of the most telling signs below!

The Stove Doesn’t Turn On

One of the most obvious signs of needing to replace a stove is the fact that it doesn’t turn on. Even after multiple attempts with completely filled-up fuel sources, your old stove still won’t turn on! It shows no use to you if it doesn’t work as intended. You shouldn’t try to keep turning the stove on – after a few times, there won’t be much that you can do to save it. If you’re dealing with a situation like this, you should replace your stove sooner rather than later to avoid getting chilly throughout the winter.

The Smell of Rotten Eggs

This example applies to those users who have chosen natural gas fireplaces or stoves. These fuel sources should never smell foul! If they are, it’s a good sign that your stove pipe or something within the structure has been compromised. It should go without saying, but if you notice the smell of rotten eggs coming from your gas stove, don’t continue to use it! Instead, go look for the next best option. You can try hiring a repairman to inspect the source of the damage, but the likely end result is going to be a full replacement.

Corrosion or Rust

Regardless of what fuel source you use for your stove heating needs, the fact remains that burning it produces byproducts that create wear and tear on your system over time. The ultimate sign of needing to replace your stove is seeing corrosion or rust anywhere throughout the structure. Not only is this a telling sign of how old it is, but it showcases how much your system has been beaten up! This can cause your energy bills to skyrocket, so address this quickly!

Stove Replacement & Installation With The Stove Shoppe

If you need a replacement stove for your MA or NH home, you should only be looking for the best possible options. The Stove Shoppe has a wide variety of indoor and outdoor fireplaces and stoves to help keep your home comfortable throughout those frigid New England winters. If your stove shows any of the signs of failure, don’t leave it to chance. Contact us today to get it replaced!

A closeup of a home's mantle with a gas fireplace burning

What Fireplaces Add The Most Value?

Written by Rachel Martin on . Posted in Blog.

Are you thinking about putting your home on the real estate market soon? If so, it’s a wise idea to make improvements to it before you do so! Making necessary upgrades to your property can have a big impact on how much you’ll be able to get for it on the market. If your home doesn’t have a fireplace yet, it can be a great investment to boost your home’s property value! In order to command the most return for your investment, you should have a good idea of which fireplaces add the most value to a property. We’ll give our expert advice on which fireplaces and stoves meet the criteria below!

Electric Fireplaces

There are pros and cons to every fireplace in terms of the value that they can bring to your home, but no fireplace will detract from your property value! Electric fireplaces are simple to install, more affordable than other fuel types, and can add inviting aesthetics to any room that it’s placed in. They also require less maintenance, as there’s no need for adding any venting! The main drawback with electric fireplaces is that they don’t always add the aesthetic appeal that homeowners want. Regardless, they’re an investment that brings in more potential buyers than otherwise possible.

Wood Fireplaces

In terms of aesthetic appeal, a wood-burning fireplace will add more than any other option! They give the room a cozy feeling that makes it an inviting space to be in. They tend to be the focal point of the room and can act as a place where people go to hang out. Other prospective homebuyers point to the idea of romanticism when considering a wood fireplace, as they can add a flair of intimacy as well! Wood-burning fireplaces require the most maintenance of the three, however, and logs can rack up a hefty bill depending on how frequently you use them.

Gas Fireplaces

Gas fireplaces are some of the easiest to use, operate, and maintain out of all of the types of fireplaces out there! The heat is far easier to regulate, as you simply need to move a needle or flip a switch to get it to the temperature you want. Like electric fireplaces, gas fireplaces are also more versatile in terms of the areas you can install them in. They can even work without power! However, the big drawback with gas fireplaces is the cost. As a fuel source, gas is significantly more expensive today than other eco-friendly options, which can affect how many buyers look your way.

Install A Variety Of Fireplaces & Stoves With The Stove Shoppe

Do you know what the above three heating sources all have in common? The Stove Shoppe carries all of them! We can install a variety of fireplaces and stoves for your New England-area home to help you get through those brutal winters. Learn more about the ways we can make you comfortable in your home by contacting us today!

A closeup image of a wood burning fireplace

How To Pick The Most Effective Fireplace For Your Home

Written by Rachel Martin on . Posted in Blog.

If you were to ask a homeowner what the most important aspect of their heating solutions is, we’re willing to bet that they would all say the same thing – its efficiency! Having a heating system that warms your home optimally will save you tons of money on energy bill costs throughout the winter. Fireplaces and stoves are both fantastic options for this purpose, but picking the right one for your home is easier said than done. After all, every property is different! We show you how to narrow down your selection and pick the best fireplace for your needs below!

Narrow Down Your Fuel Source

Choosing the right fireplace for your home’s needs works similarly to a domino effect. Once you make one personal decision, the rest start to fall into place alongside it! Your fuel source is arguably the most important decision you can make for your fireplace or stove. This will depend on a few key factors, the most crucial of them being your budget. Different heating fuel sources offer different price points, so you need to narrow your choices down to what you can afford. Reliability is another key factor – how easy is your fuel source going to be to obtain? Maintenance is another key aspect for your fuel source. Once you’re able to juggle these and come up with the best solution, your choice will be much easier to make!

Consider The Style You Want

A new fireplace or stove is a great way to increase your home’s property value! The next thing to consider when narrowing down your fireplace selection is the style of fireplace you want. What room in your home should it go in? Do you want it to be built into the wall or be an external unit? How much effort do you want to put into creating the mantle around it? All of these questions are things you should answer when considering the style of fireplace you want. Once you have it installed, it’s difficult to make big changes to it. Make sure you ponder over this choice carefully!

Consider Its Purpose

The most important question you can ask yourself before buying a new fireplace is this: what’s the purpose of you buying it? Are you using it as a legitimate heating source or is it more for decoration and aesthetics? This will let you know whether to prioritize efficiency or design choices in your fireplace search.

Fireplace & Stove Installation With The Stove Shoppe

Heating your home through those brutal New England winters is easier than ever! The Stove Shoppe carries a wide variety of fireplaces and stoves that serve to meet any purpose for your purchase of them. Whether you want to increase your property value or comfort level throughout the winter, there’s only one contractor qualified for the job; contact The Stove Shoppe today to learn more about our options!

A young woman sits by the fireplace with a cup of tea

How Long Will My Stove Last?

Written by Rachel Martin on . Posted in Blog.

Heating your home throughout the winter months can be a difficult task – if you don’t have the proper heating systems! A new fireplace or stove will make this process significantly easier, but there’s one question that it’s understandable to ask – how long will my new stove last? It’s important to plan for all parts of the heating process, including how long you’ll expect to have your unit. The answer is different depending on the circumstances, but there are a few factors you can look out for to make it more concrete. We’ll give you a guide on determining your stove’s longevity below!

Understand The Average Lifespan

A good indicator of when to replace your stove is if it’s coming up on its average lifespan. Some stoves can last longer than others, but having an idea of the average will give you the ability to plan ahead. Generally, most stoves will last anywhere from 10-20 years before their functionality declines. Part of this depends on what fuel source you’re using to heat it (gas, wood pellets, electricity, etc.), but 10-20 years is around the average for all of them. You should have a good idea of when you bought your stove, so use that age as a benchmark!

Examine Your Energy Bills

One of the biggest proponents of increased energy bill costs is the inefficiency of your heating and cooling systems. If they require more energy to be less effective in the outcome, they’ll cost you a lot more money than if you just installed a new stove! In order to determine if your stove is contributing to this problem, take a look at your heating bills from the past few months. Compare them to those that you’ve seen in the past, being careful to factor in trends and fuel costs. Have these rates increased exorbitantly? It’s a good sign that it’s time to replace your stove!

Look For Imperfections

There are more signs of an aged or ineffective stove than just the financial side! There are imperfections that you need to watch out for as well. Some of the biggest signs of needing to replace your stove include:

  • The door is broken or cracked
  • The fuel burns for significantly less time than usual
  • The structure has warped or rusted
  • It produces significantly more smoke

Replacement Stove Installation with The Stove Shoppe

If your stove looks worse for wear, upgrade it with the latest options at The Stove Shoppe! We carry the most advanced stoves with energy-efficient fuel sources so you can heat your home effectively and affordably throughout the cold months. If you need a new stove, contact us today for the best selections available!

A closeup of a home's fireplace gas insert. You can see the brick surrounding the fireplace as well.

The Buyer’s Guide To Fireplace Inserts

Written by Rachel Martin on . Posted in Blog.

Fireplaces are among the most wanted amenities of homeowners. They bring comfort, warmth, and look absolutely stunning inside of your home. Almost every family can picture themselves snuggled up in front of their fireplace on a snowy, winter evening. The only problem is, traditional fireplaces are a lot to maintain and can be pretty inefficient. Luckily, there is an energy-efficient, easily maintained option to replace your traditional fireplace; fireplace inserts!

Follow along as the professional fireplace design and installation team at The Stove Shoppe go into detail about the fireplace insert options available for homeowners!

The Benefits

Traditional fireplaces are inefficient in heating rooms; as much as 80% of the heat produced escapes through the flute. Fireplace inserts are placed in your existing fireplace to increase heat efficiency. Fireplace inserts offer drastically better heating efficiency; they are designed to reduce fuel used while maximizing the heat that radiates the room. They allow homeowners to continue enjoying the warmth and look of their fireplaces while actually retaining the heat inside. 

Types of Inserts

Fireplace inserts are categorized by the type of fuel they burn; wood burning, pellet, natural gas, propane gas, or electric. 

Gas Inserts

If your fireplace insert goals are heat and efficiency, gas is the way to go. It offers absolutely no mess or ash to clean up; it is better for the environment, does not disturb the air quality of your home, and does not require extra purchases like wood or pellets. They do require a new or existing gas line, and your gas bill will increase. 

Wood Inserts

Wood inserts do not offer as much heat efficiency as gas or electric, but for those with easy access to firewood, it can pay for itself. It provides a source of warmth and a look that you cannot replicate with anything other than burning wood if you are into aesthetics. 

Electric Inserts

If your insert goal is to heat a larger space, electric fireplace inserts do the trick. They can heat up to 400 square feet of living space! Many electric inserts cost less than other fuel sources, but you will need to add an electrical outlet near or within your existing fireplace. 

Pellet Stove Inserts

Pellet stoves are a highly efficient use of fuel and produce good heat. The pellets are fed to the fire by an automated auger that pulls pellets out of a hopper above. They do require electricity to run, but most come with a backup battery in case of a power outage. There is very little ash produced while burning, and they are remote-operated! Good pellets can be expensive and hard to find, and you go through them quickly. 

Contact The Stove Shoppe

The Stove Shoppe has a team of fireplace insert design and installation experts. If you hope to get more heat efficiency out of your traditional fireplace, inserts are an incredible investment. For more information or to check out our extensive selection of fireplace inserts available, be sure to give us a call today or fill out our online contact form!

A close up image of wood pellets burning.

Pellet Stove FAQ

Written by Rachel Martin on . Posted in Blog.

There are many advantages to installing a pellet stove in your home. Follow along as the experts at The Stove Shoppe answer any questions you may have about pellet stoves! 

What is a Pellet Stove?

Wood pellet burning stoves have the advantages of high-tech wood stoves and more! Most stoves can be vented directly through the wall. They are almost entirely automatic; fill the stove’s hopper with pellets and set the thermostat at the desired temperatures! The stove will turn itself off and on and regulate its heat output to suit your heating needs. With a good quality, low ash pellet (less than 1% ash on a dry weight basis), you could operate for days or even weeks without having to remove the ash container. They can be installed near combustible material, requiring little, if any, heat shielding and minimal floor protection!

Are They Cost-Efficient?

Pellet stoves are incredibly cost-efficient. They are much less expensive than traditional fireplace installation because they do not require a chimney; they can be vented from the wall, which can save you thousands of dollars. Pellet stoves are also drastically more efficient at burning than traditional stoves!

How Long do Pellets Last?

Generally, a 40-pound bag of pellets and one bag of pellet fuel can provide up to 24 hours of constant heat. Depending, you should be able to get through winter on about 100-150 bags.

Are Pellet Stoves Eco-Friendly?

Because pellets stoves don’t produce smoke, they are a cleaner option for the environment. Many pellet stove models run regular diagnostic tests to monitor safety conditions. Pellet stoves are made using sawdust and other industrial waste which would otherwise be dumped into a landfill, which is a great way to reuse material! Pellets are also carbon-neutral!

Are They Hard to Maintain?

Pellet stoves offer thermostatic control, remote control operation, and automatic ignition. Pellet stoves are designed to be low maintenance, and due to the constant flame provided by a steady fuel source, the user doesn’t need to physically tend to the fire, which means more time to enjoy your cozy.

Contact The Stove Shoppe

For more information regarding pellet stoves and the installation process, make sure to contact the experts at The Stove Shoppe today! We have over 40 years of experience installing pellet stoves! Give us a call today at 800-892-0456 or fill out our online contact form for more information!

A close up image of wood pellets over an open fire inside of a pellet stove.

Pellet Stoves vs. Wood Stoves

Written by Rachel Martin on . Posted in Blog.

Buying any major home appliance is never a decision you should take lightly. This is especially true if the appliance in question is a stove! After all, it’s one of the best ways to circulate heat throughout your home. With this consideration in mind, it’s important to be diligent about your research into the stoves you can install. You’ll need to know all the specs to make sure that what you get is the best possible fit! Two of the most popular types of stoves out there are pellet stoves and wood stoves. How does each stove benefit your home? We break it down for you below!

Wood Stoves

Wood stoves are among the most popular choices for heating your home for a reason; wood is an exceptional fire starter! Wood is also a renewable resource, meaning that you’ll never run out of fuel in a pinch. Wood stoves are a little bit cheaper than pellet stoves for installation as well. This is largely because wood stoves are a bit more flexible in design choices. Rather than just an external unit, wood stoves can be installed through free-standing models and inserts – sometimes even without doors! However, wood stoves have a big crutch to them, and it has to do with their maintenance. Wood stoves require much more maintenance than pellet stoves do. Wood may be a renewable resource, but it’s something you’ll have to renew quite often. Wood stoves will also need an inspection before the winter months to ensure everything is working properly.

Pellet Stoves

Pellet stoves are an eco-friendly and streamlined alternative to wood stoves, and this statement becomes even more true the more you learn about them. For starters, pellet stoves are fueled by a much more environmentally friendly alternative to firewood. Wood waste pellets can be recycled and are easily found at your local department store. They’re easier to refuel and maintain than wood stoves as well, as they aren’t as in need of a chimney sweep. Pellet flames are a little more subtle than their counterparts. However, they also don’t produce much noise, making them ideal for quieter home environments. The only true downside to a pellet stove is the fact that it’s a bit more expensive to purchase, but the rewards are far worth the cost. It also is more restricted to design styles, but most modern-day pellet stoves are indistinguishable from wood ones.

Stove Installation With The Stove Shoppe

Regardless of what type of stove you feel is best for your home, The Stove Shoppe can help you get the best of its benefits! We’ve connected homeowners with the perfect fireplaces for their homes for years, and we’re willing and able to use our unparalleled expertise to bring the same benefits to your home. For the best heating options available, click here to contact us directly!

What are the Benefits of a Pellet Stove?

Written by Rachel Martin on . Posted in Blog, Pellet Stove.

Wood pellet burning stoves have all of the advantages of high-tech wood stoves, but better! These stoves can be vented directly through the wall behind the stove. Modern pellet stoves are almost entirely automatic and only require two simple steps; fill the stove’s hopper with pellets, set the thermostat at the desired temperatures, and watch the stove operate! 

Without prior knowledge, you may not know that there are a plethora of benefits to having a pellet stove installed in your home. Follow along as the experts at The Stove Shoppe go over the benefits of a pellet stove!

Efficiency

Unlike wood chips or solid wood, pellets contain extremely low levels of ash and moisture. Because of this, virtually all of the material will burn and be converted into heat. Combustion takes place in a smaller chamber that is more controlled and given just the right amount of air for more complete combustion, resulting in more heat and fewer emissions. 

Cost-Effective

Compared to other fossil fuels or electric heating options, pellets prices can be much less expensive. Pellet prices also do not frequently fluctuate like the cost of other energy sources do. Pellet stoves are also often dramatically cheaper to install than a wood stove. There is no flue necessary like that of wood stoves. 

Environmentally Conscious

Wood pellets are a sustainable source, and burning them is carbon neutral; the carbon released during the pellet-burning process is equivalent to that absorbed by the tree during its growth; nothing lost, nothing gained. 

Convenience

There is no chore of heaving wood, stoking the fire, and cleaning out the ash with pellet stoves. You simply fill the hopper with pellets and let it do the rest. There is no constant adding of more wood! These stoves are also incredibly convenient because you can adjust the temperature. With traditional fireplaces, the fire chooses the temperature for you. They are also one of the easiest heating sources to clean available. If maintenance is something you do not want to deal with, pellet stoves are for you. 

Contact The Stove Shoppe

The expert team at The Stove Shoppe has over 50 years of pellet stove design and installation experience. Our team would be happy to come out to your space to determine the pellet stove that works best for you and your home. For more information, give us a call today or fill out our online contact form!

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