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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!

living room with focal fireplace

Matching Your Fireplace to Your Decor

Written by Rachel Martin on . Posted in Blog.

There is now a plethora of different fireplace types and styles to choose from these days. With so many choices, it can be difficult to determine which style would work best with your home’s existing decor.  

Follow along for some tips and tricks by the fireplace design and installation experts at The Stove Shoppe to choose the perfect fireplace for your current aesthetic. 

Modern Homes

If your home exudes a modern vibe or perhaps it is a new build, it is likely that your want your fireplace to have the same feel. Instead of going for a traditional fireplace with ornate designs or brick, you may opt for your fireplace to feel much more sleek and contemporary. For modern homes, we feel as though linear lines and more modern materials work best. A linear, concrete fireplace is very modern and trendy at the moment! 

Traditional Homes

If you have a more traditional style home, you may choose to go with a more traditional fireplace look. Traditional style fireplaces can have many different looks; one classic is the wood mantel typically comprised of intricate designs. This is a classic, traditional look that will look incredibly elegant in any traditional-style home. The stunning wood mantle is typically surrounded by brick in order to keep this timeless look. Not only is this a beautiful traditional look, but it also serves as a statement piece for any room. 

Rustic Homes

To achieve a rustic look with your fireplace, we recommend using stacked stone to surround your fireplace. You can decide what feel you are trying to achieve with which stones you choose to use. For an even more rustic look, you can choose a stone with rough edges rather than polished. For a rustic mantle, try using a large slab of your favorite wood atop your chosen stone. 

Contact The Stove Shoppe

For more assistance with fireplace design, be sure to call the professionals at The Stove Shoppe. Our expert team of designers is happy to come out to your home, perform an inspection on your space, and help you determine the fireplace that will work best for you. You can then choose and design your fireplace with our extensive selection of gas, electric, and wood fireplace options! Give us a call today or fill out our online contact form for more information!

2021 Fireplace Trends

Written by Rachel Martin on . Posted in Blog.

Any style of fireplace brings warmth, comfort, and joy to any home. No matter what style or aesthetic you choose, you are guaranteed to love having a fireplace in your home. As 2021 comes to an end, we want to reflect on the trends we saw the most this year! Though the point is to warm a space, fireplaces are a stylish interior element that can match your home’s aesthetic. Follow along as we discuss the most popular fireplace trends we saw in 2021.

Linear

We saw a massive rise in popularity in linear fireplaces this year. They are absolutely gorgeous on their own and typically surrounded by beautiful stone, tile, or marble. They give a very modern vibe to your fireplace as they are incredibly clean-looking with sharp lines and edges. Linear fireplaces can drastically change the look and feel of your space! 

Double-Sided

Double-sided fireplaces were in high demand this year, and it is understandable why! They are a statement piece in any home. They allow you to enjoy the beautiful fire from the comfort of two different rooms, perfect for parties and family gatherings. You could even install these to be indoor/outdoor! Picture the kids enjoying smores outside while you watch from the other side of the fire inside your home; it is picturesque! 

Corner Fireplaces

Corner fireplaces have seen a rise in popularity, and it is because they are perfect for any size space. They give off a clean, modern look while being the best at utilizing the amount of room you have, as they do not sacrifice open space. Being placed in the corner makes them feel and look very luxurious and is a perfect statement for your living space. 

Extra Large Fireplaces

Dramatic, extra-large fireplaces have come back into style this year. These fireplaces are complete with beautiful, visible chimneys and large viewing areas. They are typically paired with gorgeous stone along the sides and up the chimney for a beautiful rustic look. These fireplaces work best in larger homes with higher ceilings as they take up a significant amount of space. 

Contact The Stove Shoppe

The Stove Shoppe offers an extensive selection of all kinds and styles of fireplaces. Whether you are looking for gas, electric, or wood, we have it all! Our expert design team will come out to your home to perform an in-depth inspection of your space to determine what kind of fireplace will work best for you. For more information regarding fireplace styles and installation, give us a call today or fill out our online contact form!

Why You Should Install a Gas Fireplace

Written by Rachel Martin on . Posted in Blog.

Fireplaces of every kind bring warmth, light, and comfort into any space in your home. Everyone who experiences winter has dreamt of cozying up to a fireplace in their PJs, hot cocoa in hand, but that is not everyone’s reality. Many people choose not to install a fireplace in their homes because they do not want to take care of the work and maintenance necessary. What if we told you that you could have a fireplace in your home with virtually zero work and maintenance? You can with gas fireplaces! Follow along as we discuss all of the reasons why you should install a gas fireplace in your home the second you finish reading this blog!

Low Maintenance

When you have a gas fireplace, you do not have to worry about ash and debris like you would if you had a wood-burning fireplace. Wood burning fireplaces tend to leave a mess, and you have to clean them practically every time you use them. You typically only need to clean your gas fireplace only once a year or however much you choose. You will not need to constantly be stocked with wood for your fireplace, and keep an eye on how much is burned because you simply will not need it! 

Realistic Look

Gas fireplaces offer a remarkably similar look and feel to wood-burning. Gas fireplace technology has increased significantly and the artificial logs used are easily mistaken for natural wood. You do not have to compromise the look and ambiance you desire when installing a realistic-looking gas fireplace!

Energy Efficient

Gas fireplaces are the most energy-efficient kind of unit you can buy by a longshot. You have complete control over how much fuel is used. You can easily control how much gas is used and can completely turn it off with the simple flick of a switch. You are also helping the environment by not creating smoke outside or using more wood. 

The Stove Shoppe

If you are interested in installing a gas fireplace in your home, contact the expert design and installation team at The Stove Shoppe! We have over 40 years of fireplace installation and maintenance experience. Our showrooms are constantly stocked with the highest quality gas fireplace units in the industry! For more information regarding gas fireplaces or to begin the installation process today, give us a call or fill out our online contact form! 

How to Clean Your Electric Fireplace

Written by Rachel Martin on . Posted in Blog.

Electric fireplaces are an incredible substitute for wood burning as they are practically maintenance-free. No ventilation or gas lines are needed, making maintenance extremely easy. Though they are extremely low maintenance, it is essential to take good care of them from time to time so they will last you a solid amount of time; maybe forever! We recommend that you clean your electric fireplace thoroughly at least once a year, and we are going to go over just how easy that cleaning will be! 

Follow these steps:

1. Unplug

Before performing any maintenance on your electric fireplace, ensure the heater is off and disconnected from the power supply. Allow your fireplace to sit for a while and completely cool off before going to clean it. 

2. Inspect

Before officially cleaning, perform a short inspection of your fireplace to check for frayed wires, dead bulbs, or faulty plugs. If you notice something wrong, make sure to bring it to a professional for repair! Your once-a-year cleaning is the perfect time to make sure your fireplace is in its best condition. 

3. Clean the Heater

Using a clean, dry cloth, wipe down the heater surface and surrounding areas. You can use the soft bristle brush attachment on your vacuum to clean further into the heater outlets to remove as much dust and debris as possible. 

4. Clean Glass

For this step, you will want to refer to your specific fireplace manual in order to remove the front glass panel. You will want to take this off completely to clean it well. Once removed, you can go in with another clean, dry cloth to eliminate any dust on the surface. Make sure not to use intense cleaning products on the glass as it does scratch easily. If a dry cloth is not doing the trick, try adding a bit of water. If you are to use water, make sure to use a dry cloth right after to prevent water stains. 

5. Clean Interior

Once the outside of your fireplace is clean, it is time to work on the inside. All it needs is a quality dusting. Make sure to dust around all sides of the fireplace and the imitation wood or glass that is inside. Once this is done, refer to your fireplace manual to get the glass door back on, and you are good to go until your next yearly clean!

Really, the word “clean” can be replaced with the word “dust” when talking about electric fireplace maintenance. It is so simple! 

Contact The Stove Shoppe

The Stove Shoppe has been providing expert fireplace design, installation, and repair services for over 40 years! For more information regarding electric fireplaces and maintenance, make sure to give us a call or fill out our online contact form! 

Tips For Adding a Fireplace to a Small Room

Written by Rachel Martin on . Posted in Blog.

One universal home decor belief that everyone agrees on is that fireplaces make any space a lot cozier. Homeowners with small spaces may believe that there is not enough room for a fireplace; however, that is far from the truth! You can incorporate a fireplace into a room of any size. If you have a small room and are trying to figure out how to best add in a fireplace, follow along for some tips from the fireplace experts at The Stove Shoppe!

Corner Fireplaces

An unused corner in a small room is the perfect spot to add a fireplace. With a corner fireplace, you will not be taking up a considerable amount of space in the small room. You can turn the small, awkward corner of space into a beautiful focal point that also gives you extra warmth. Decorate the mantel however you like, and you have completely transformed your small room into a warm, cozy place in your home. 

Wall Mounted Fireplaces

If you are entirely out of floor space in your room, a wall-mounted fireplace is for you! They are inserted right into your wall, taking up absolutely no extra square footage. Not only are they practical, but they are gorgeous to look at! There are a variety of styles and sizes to choose from to fit your exact style and vision. 

Free-Standing Fireplaces

Free-standing fireplaces are an excellent solution for renters and those who are unsure where to place their fireplace. These fireplaces require no mounting, drilling, or installation; all you need is an outlet! This allows you to test it out in a few spots throughout the room to determine where it fits best. 

Give The Stove Shoppe a Call

The experts at The Stove Shoppe have over 40 years of experience in fireplace installation. We have a wide variety of wood, gas, electric, and pellet stoves, inserts, and fireplaces. If you are unsure of the best use of space for fireplace installation, there is no need to worry. Our team of experts will come to your home, access your space, and let you know the best way to use your space. For extra inspiration, feel free to visit our award-winning showroom! Give us a call today at 800-892-0456 or fill out our online contact form to turn your fireplace dream into a reality!

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