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Fireplace and wood burner informationWOOD BURNERS AND FIREPLACES First, lets discuss the basic difference between the two. Wood burner-(sometimes referred to as a wood stove) is a general term and it can be either free standing or an insert. As pictured below, an insert is built into the wall or inserted in a fireplace opening. A free standing unit, stands alone. The most common are natural log and pellet(known as pellet stoves) which will be discussed later.
Pellet stovePellet stoves burn pellets(which look similar to rabbit food) made of wood products or a biological material such a corn, wheat, cherry pits etc.. They provide a constant source of heat by monitoring the temperature and making adjustments as necessary. The pellets are fed by a hopper into the burn pot based on heating needs as determined by the pellet stoves thermostat. Most models today are computer operated. They will determine when to increase the amount of pellets being fed to the burn pot, how hot the flame should be and when to turn on the blower.PROS Pellet stoves have a constant flame which provides a warm radiant heat. The pellets can be purchased at many locations. They come in a plastic bag alleviating the mess associated with log burning fireplaces. The pellets are light and are easily loaded into the hopper. If good quality pellets are used, the stove does not create creosote(a black sticky by product of burning wood. Creosote is flammable).
CONS Most pellet stoves use electricity which can offset some of your energy savings. This also means that the stove can not provide heat if the electricity is off unless it has a back up battery pack. It does not burn as clean as natural gas which can cause some problems if a person has asthma or sensitive allergies.
Natural wood burnersThere are many brands, types, and sizes available today in both free standing and insert models. They are called natural wood burners because they burn logs. They are usually made of cast iron and other metal. They will have fire bricks or some type of masonry material on the inside to absorb the heat and transfer it into the home. Some, like mine, have glass doors so you can enjoy the flame. They can be equipped with blowers to force the heat into the room.PROS The fuel, which is logs, is a renewable resource. Different types of wood give off different aromas making the home smell nice in my opinion. Natural wood burners are not dependent on electricity for heat which means you can heat your home during a power outage. Not using electricity creates energy savings. They are more efficient than fireplaces. Wood burners are in the neighborhood of 80% efficient. Only about 20% of the heat generated from burning logs escapes through the venting system. Be careful. Some wood burners are more efficient than others and give off less emissions than others. Like always, you get what you pay for. CONS If your not into cutting your own wood, then you have to purchase it and have it delivered. Storing enough wood to get through the winter requires a lot of space. The logs themselves create debris in the home. The byproduct of burning wood is ash and suit which creates some unwanted dust in the home. The wood burner needs to be periodically cleaned of the ashes. Fires can be hard to start depending on the quality of wood you gather. The venting has to be cleaned periodically to remove the build up of creosote which can catch fire. In a nut shell, if you like things simple and easy, then a wood burner, whether it be an insert or free standing, is probably not for you. But if you love gathering the wood, the smell in the home, and the radiant heat and beauty of a natural fire, then you will love a wood burner.
Manufactured fireplaceAs stated earlier manufactured fireplaces are less expensive to install than masonry fireplaces. They are generally 50% to 70% efficient. They have all the same pros and cons of a wood burner. The main difference is they have a larger viewing area making the flames more visible. In addition, they can be operated with the doors open. You can hear the wood popping and get more aroma from the burning wood. They are nostalgic and still popular.Gas log fireplacesThere are two types of gas log fireplaces. The first is just a gas log conversion. This is where a gas log kit is installed into an existing fireplace. It can be turned on by and igniter or it can be lit with a match.The other is a gas log insert. This is a self contained unit. Most will have blowers and will be thermostatically controlled. Depending on the model and who you talk to, the efficiency of gas log fireplaces vary. But they are much more efficient than an open fire place.
PROS There is no mess from logs. There is no pellets to buy. They are easy to start and they are nice to look at. They also burn very clean. This is ideal for individuals with allergies or other ailments such as asthma. If you like things easy, then gas log is for you. CONS Unfortunately a gas log conversion is no more efficient than the original fire place. You still loose about 90% of the heat up the chimney. The gas log insert is much more efficient. Gas log, in my opinion, does not produce the same kind of heat as a wood burning stove or fireplace would, and there is no aroma. Please note that this page is general in nature. It is meant to give you basic information so you can decide which path is right for you. There are a lot of alternative types of heating systems available today. There are numerous manufactures and brands. For more detailed alternative heating information check out this site:
Alternative Heating Stoves can be part of your home improvement project, especially if you haven't installed any fireplace yet. A highly efficient stove can be a blessing during outages, and it always creates a warm atmosphere.
Where to buyThere are many places in the greater Lansing area that sell wood burning and gas log products. I have no one I would recommend over anyone else. Most have show rooms where you can go and look at the different products and get more detailed information from the people who work there. They generally provide installation services. Tanner-Phillips Properties also installs wood burning and gas log products.If you have any specific questions that were not addressed here, please contact me, and I will get you some answers. Leave fireplace page and return to construction materials page
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