What's Right for You?
There
are lots of choices in hearth products. To find what is right
for
you, we suggest you start by identifying your goals.
Heat a cold
room
– gas or pellet units can heat small to large rooms and will regulate
temperature automatically. They turn on and off easily.
Reduce
my heating cost
– wood or pellet units can heat more economically than electric heat or
propane. Models are available that will heat a large area.
Atmosphere
– a gas log set or a small gas or wood burner can do the trick.
Backup
heat – wood and gas units can operate without electricity.
Do
something with my wood burning masonry fireplace – inserts
are available in wood, gas or pellet models and turn your old fireplace
into an efficient heat source.
 The following is a primer on the different types of fuel and models.
Wood Models
Many
of today’s wood burning models are EPA approved to be efficient, clean
burning, and environmentally sound. They are available in many
sizes to heat small to large areas. There is nothing like the
crackle, smell, and heat of a wood burner.
They do need tending,
so you will be spending time to bring in wood, load them, tend the fire,
and clean them out. Wood chimneys are substantial and need to
go
through the roof, so this can limit where they can be located.
 Gas Models
Natural
gas or propane units provide convenience. They are operated
by a
switch or thermostat, provide heat very quickly with realistic flames
and can be turned off just as quickly. They can be vented
through the roof or sidewall so they can be installed in basements, bedrooms,
and most anywhere. Maintenance is minimal. They do
not
require electricity to run, so they are a backup heat source.
Pellet Models
Pellets
are made of compressed wood by-products; they are readily available and
are a renewable resource. Pellet models offer the
efficiencies of
burning wood but with many of the conveniences of gas. Many
models can light themselves automatically, will provide a continuous
heat output, and can be controlled by a thermostat. Venting is
flexible, so they can be installed in most any room.
 If you
heat with propane or electricity, pellets can reduce your heating
costs. Visit our Heating Cost Comparison page in the Heating
& Cooling section to compare.
Pellet models will require
cleaning periodically during the heating season and you will get a
workout handling the 40lb pellet bags. They require
electricity
to operate and the fans are not silent.
Stoves
These
are the freestanding models. They can be installed most
anywhere
and they do a great job of putting heat into the room because the whole
stove and vent sits in the room. They may require a hearth
pad.
Inserts
Inserts
are designed to fit inside an existing masonry or built in wood
fireplace, converting it into a more efficient heat source.
Zero Clearance Fireplaces
These are designed for new construction or remodeling projects, they
can be framed around and built-in.
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