Tag: types of stoves

A worker cleans the inside of a pellet stove with a vaccum tube

When Is It Time To Upgrade Your Stove?

Written by Rachel Martin on October 29, 2024. Posted in Blog.

As much as the many appliances in our home help us to accomplish our everyday tasks, there’s one thing that they all have in common: they all have an expiration date! This is especially the case when it comes to your stove or fireplace. Regardless of what fuel source you use to meet your heating needs, a failure to recognize the warning signs of needing a replacement unit can result in significant heating costs. You shouldn’t have to pay for something that isn’t effective! So, what are the warning signs of needing to upgrade your stove? Below, we’ll showcase the most telling signs!

Slower, Less Effective Performance

Over time, you should get a good idea of how often you need to replenish your stove’s fuel source. As stoves age, they become far less effective at meeting your heating needs. Especially in the case of wood-burning stoves, your fuel source will start to burn for far shorter increments of time, making it less effective at accomplishing what you want it to. This means that it’s less efficient at doing its job, which can lead to significant increases in your utility bill costs from month to month. The more you pay, the more you should be considering an upgrade!

You Notice Dark Smoke

The fuel source you use for your stove should be able to burn cleanly. This means that the smoke it emanates is clean, clear, and doesn’t cause serious harm. As this smoke darkens, the odds of a soot byproduct appearing throughout your home get much higher! Smoke can cause serious respiratory problems, which are heightened as the smoke clouds get darker. It points to a lack of efficient burning with your fuel source, a crucial sign of needing an upgrade!

EPA Certification

Take a moment to examine your stove. Damaged or corroded components are a surefire sign of needing an upgrade, but there’s something else you should be looking out for as well. Check the back of the stove for a permanent EPA certification label. If it doesn’t have one, it’s a good sign that your unit is older and needs to be upgraded. The EPA has released several emissions standards for wood-burning stoves that can help you determine whether you need a new one. If it doesn’t have the label, it doesn’t meet the grade!

Stoves Of All Kinds With The Stove Shoppe

No matter what your budget, surface area, and heating desires are for your property in New Hampshire, they can all be met by working with The Stove Shoppe! We offer stoves and fireplaces of all kinds and fuel sources to help homeowners meet even the most specific of heating needs. If you’ve determined that you need a stove upgrade, don’t settle for less than the best. Click here to contact us directly and secure this quality for yourself!

A woman wrapped in a blanket sits by a pellet stove emanating a fire

DIY vs. Professional Stove Installation

Written by Rachel Martin on September 24, 2024. Posted in Blog.

A new stove is a fantastic investment if you’re looking to keep your property warm throughout the chilliest months. When you’re first making the decision to get one, it’s important to mull over all of your options for materials, fuel sources, and where you want them to go. However, one thing that isn’t as debatable is the positive impact of professional stove installation. While it’s technically possible to install a new stove yourself, you’ll find that the risks far outweigh the benefits of doing so. We’ll show you why professionals should always be trusted for your stove installation needs below!

Warranty Coverage

When you decide to install a new stove by yourself, you can’t expect perfection from your own hands. No matter how many YouTube tutorials you watch, there’s always room for error! While initial costs for installing a new stove are lower when taking a DIY approach, they always have a way of getting you! The catch with DIY installations is that most of them are not covered by manufacturer warranties. In the inevitable event that problems arise due to a lack of skilled craftsmanship, you’ll have to pay significantly more money to get them repaired!

Safety

Especially if you’re considering installing a new gas stove, you should have a good idea of the risks involved! Many of the components of gas stoves in particular require a certain level of expertise to handle correctly. You’ll have to deal with gas fittings, gas lines, and connections – all of which can backfire if you don’t do them correctly! Professional stove installation is one of the best things you can do for your personal safety. You won’t have to assume any of the risks, and professionals have a much steadier hand!

Expertise

It should go without saying that professional stove installation contractors have much more experience on the job! Taking a DIY approach means committing yourself to dozens of hours of research and preparation. Professionals can cut that time down to a simple afternoon! Since they already have the highest level of training and certifications, they’ll be much more likely to complete a perfect installation. You won’t have to deal with any of the problems that result from the contrary, many of which can take root if you approach the situation on your own.

The Stove Shoppe Is The Best Choice For New Stove Installation

If you’re looking for a professional stove installation team to install your fireplace or stove, look no further than The Stove Shoppe! We have significant experience working with the industry’s top manufacturers to bring you the most energy-efficient and affordable stoves possible. Staying warm during the winter shouldn’t be a luxury! When you contact our team today, you can rest assured that it won’t be!

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

What Fireplaces Add The Most Value?

Written by Rachel Martin on December 20, 2023. 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 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 September 15, 2022. 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!