A Vented Gas Fireplace Has Many Benefits</h1> <article> <h1>A Vented Gas Fireplace Has Many Benefits</h1> <p>Administrator — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 19:46:00 GMT</p> <b>Vented Gas Fireplaces: Why it Matters</b> With all the choices you have, it should be no problem finding a vented gas fireplace for your home. If you have a delightfully modern and contemporary style, you might choose the <a href="/Products/Rave-Gas-Fireplace.aspx">Heatilator Rave Gas Fireplace</a>. Rather than gas logs, this fireplace has stainless steel fire tubes that give it quite the modern look. Or, if your home features a classic, traditional style, the Heatilator <a href="/Products/Caliber-nXt-Gas-Fireplace.aspx">Caliber nXt</a> gas fireplace would be a great fit for you. The gas logs in this fireplace are realistic and the interior is brick, giving it a traditional ambiance. Whether you prefer contemporary or traditional fireplaces, the most important part is that you select a vented gas fireplace vs. a non-vented gas firepalce. <b>Safety First</b> A direct vent uses a high temperature glass panel to seal off the burn area of the fireplace from the interior of the home. It pulls 100% combustion air to feed the fire from outside the home. Because of its design, a direct vent gas fireplace will not affect the indoor air quality of your home. Since no air from your home is going up the chimney, a direct vent model is very efficient. Vent free should actually be called room vented since the by-products of gas combustion all spill back into the room. The single largest by-product of the gas combustion process is water vapor. Over sizing or overuse of a vent free hearth product can lead to excess moisture in a well built, tightly constructed home. Excess moisture inside the home can contribute to odors, mold and mildew inside the home. Additionally, vented gas fireplaces have valves that control the gas flow to the fireplace. When the pilot light goes out, the gas turns off. This way, the gas will not build up and create an unsafe environment in your home in case out outage. <b>Better Burn</b> Often, unvented gas fireplace require the burn temperature to be higher to lessen risk of emissions. The result? A higher temperature burn and less realistic, sometimes even blue looking flame. With a vented gas fireplace, the temperature is controlled, resulting in realistic flames that closely resemble a flame produced from a traditional wood burning fire. <b>Efficiency Matters</b> With a controlled pilot light and temperature system, you will use less gas with a vented gas fireplace, resulting in lower bills and more cash in your hand. While specific costs vary based on location, utility and fuel type, national averages to run a natural gas fireplaces that consumes approximately 27,000 BTUs/hr will cost less that 20 cents/hr to enjoy! When you are looking for a new fireplace for your home, look for a <a href="/ProductFinder.aspx?bid={8E1E4E1E-6497-42EC-B432-3DC19C116F3E}">vented gas fireplace</a>. Available in a wide variety of styles, designs, colors, and sizes, vented gas fireplaces will provide the realistic fire/flame you desire, while also keeping your home and family safe. </article> <article> <h1>A Fireplace Will Increase the Value of Your Home</h1> <p>Administrator — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 19:45:00 GMT</p> <b>Selling Your Home? Add a Fireplace</b> There are many home improvement projects that you might be considering in order to increase the value of your home before selling. While some of those improvements may be valuable, others might not help at all. For example, adding a fresh coat of paint to every room would be a good way to increase the value of your home because cost is fairly easy to make up and it helps clean up the room. Others, like adding a new addition or replacing windows, might not be such a good idea because the time and costs could be difficult to recoup when it comes times to sell. When you are thinking about what home improvements to make before selling, you should be sure that they will, in fact, increase the value of your home. One improvement that will undoubtedly increase the home's value is adding a fireplace or replacing an old one. <b>What do homebuyers really want?</b> In a study conducted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), it was discovered that 77% of homebuyers are looking for a fireplace in the family room of their new home because they feel that is where the most time will be spent with their family. The living room was the next preferred location among homebuyers, with 50% reporting they would like to have a hearth in this room for visitors and guests to enjoy. A gorgeous option for a living room fireplace that would make potential homebuyers gravitate to your home is the <a href="/Products/Icon-Direct-Vent-Gas-Fireplace.aspx">Heatilator Icon direct vent gas fireplace</a>. This grand fireplace features elegant details that will add beauty and comfort to your home. It will also make your home feel more inviting and luxurious. Just by adding a fireplace like the Heatilator Icon, a home seller could raise the price of their home up to 12% (National Association of Real Estate Appraisers). <b>How do I know which fireplace to install in the home I am selling?</b> Of course, you can't know for sure what the homebuyer will want when it comes to the fireplace in your home. Chances are that they will like the overall appearance of your house and it's the overall picture that will sell the home. The fireplace will add value and perhaps even push the sale so when you are trying to decide what fireplace to install in your house, you can consider a few things: • The overall style of your home. • The colors that you have throughout. • The area in which the house is located. • The function of each particular room. Prospective homebuyers desire fireplaces and they will be looking closely at the fireplace (or lack thereof) in your home. Do you like what you see? If not, contact an authorized <a href="/Landing-Pages/PPC-Landing-Page-Coupon.aspx">hearth expert</a> who can help design a custom fireplace for your home. </article> <article> <h1>Fireplace Safety Tips</h1> <p>Administrator — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 21:22:00 GMT</p> When enjoying your fireplace, stove or insert, it’s important to remember these basic safety precautions: • Fireplaces, stoves and inserts become hot during operation. This is a characteristic associated with their function of providing heat in the home. • Parents are advised to keep small children away from fireplaces, stoves and inserts. These appliances should be treated with the same caution as hot range tops, ovens and clothing irons. Physical barriers, such as adjustable safety gates in doorways, can be used to keep children, as well as pets, a safe distance away. • Factory screens that are provided with the product and secondary barriers such as free-standing screens help to reduce the risk of serious burns, as they can prevent skin from coming into direct contact with the glass or fire. However, screens also retain heat so touching them is not advised. • As with all heat generating appliances, fireplaces, stoves and inserts (and their surrounding material) will remain hot for a period of time after being turned off, so caution should be used at all times. <small>Above is a photographs of a fireplace screen. Screens that are provided with your fireplace, stove or insert help to prevent skin from coming into contact with the glass and should never be removed.</small> </article> <article> <h1>Lower Heating Bills and Increase Efficiency</h1> <p>Administrator — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 21:21:00 GMT</p> Would you throw money out the door? What about the chimney? The reality when using a wood-burning fireplace is that most of the heat produced goes right out of the chimney. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a wood-burning fireplace is one of the most inefficient ways to heat your home and can exhaust up to 24,000 cubic feet of air per hour outside, drawing in cold air through doors and windows. Instead of watching your money drift away through the chimney, update your fireplace with a modern, easy-to-use, gas insert. Gas fireplace inserts offer increased heating efficiency because they feature a sealed combustion system, unlike a wood-burning fireplace. This means 100 percent of the combustion air necessary to produce a flame comes from outside the home through a direct vent pipe, eliminating the heat loss associated with conventional chimneys. Up to 85 percent of the heat that a direct vent gas insert generates, remains in the house. Additionally, the direct vent pipe expels 100 percent of the fire’s combustion exhaust outside the home, protecting indoor air quality. And, because they are highly efficient, direct vent gas fireplace inserts can pay for themselves in a few years through lower heating bills. Gas fireplace inserts won’t just save you money, they will save you time too. After you install a gas fireplace insert, you will enjoy the greatest level of convenience, with a warm fire just a flip of a switch away. No more hauling wood though the house and cleaning messy ashes. And, with a wide variety of fireplace inserts available, you can find one that suits your home’s unique décor and style. For more information on Heat & Glo Inserts, visit <a href="http://www.heatnglo.com/" target="_blank">www.heatnglo.com</a><br /> For more information on Quadra-Fire Inserts, visit <a href="http://www.quadrafire.com/" target="_blank">www.quadrafire.com</a><br /> For more information from the EPA, visit <a href="http://www.epa.gov/burnwise/" target="_blank">http://www.epa.gov/burnwise/</a> </article> <article> <h1>Connect With Us!</h1> <p>Administrator — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 21:19:00 GMT</p> We are glad you are here! Connecting with Heatilator is as easy as 1-2-3! <a href="http://www.heatilator.com"></a> 1.) First, click each of the links provided below. <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Heatilator" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://twitter.com/Heatilator" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/HeatilatorFireplaces" target="_blank"></a> 2.) You will then be prompted to login to your existing account (If you don’t have an existing account, you can sign-up for one on the home page). 3.) Once logged in, you will automatically be re-directed to the brand page: - On Facebook, hit the “Like” button - On Twitter, select the “Follow” button - On YouTube, select the “Subscribe” button </article> <article> <h1>New! Power Vent Inline from HHT</h1> <p>Administrator — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:19:00 GMT</p> Hearth & Home Technologies (HHT) is pleased to introduce the PVI-SLP Power Vent Inline for direct vent gas fireplaces. The PVI-SLP allows gas fireplaces to be installed in applications that were previously impossible, such as high rise multi-family buildings and difficult remodeling projects. With unsurpassed flexibility, the PVI-SLP can be placed anywhere in the vent run. It enables the longest vent runs in the industry (up to 140’), has electrical plug-in connections and wire harnesses for easy installation and service. The PVI-SLP is certified to use with many Heat & Glo and Heatilator direct vent gas fireplaces. For more information call 1-877-228-5012. About Hearth & Home Technologies Inc. Hearth & Home Technologies is the world’s leading provider of whole hearth systems including fireplaces, stoves and inserts, as well as furnaces that utilize biomass fuels. Its family of brands includes Harman™, Heatilator®, Heat & Glo®, Quadra-Fire® and Fireside Hearth & Home® retail stores and builder design centers. The company offers a wide variety of energy efficient and environmentally sustainable hearth products, which are manufactured, packaged and delivered with respect for the environment. Hearth & Home Technologies is a subsidiary of HNI Corporation (NYSE: HNI), the second largest office furniture manufacturer in the United States. More information can be found at <a href="http://www.hearthnhome.com" target="_blank">www.hearthnhome.com</a>. </article> <article> <h1>Value, Beauty and Warmth – The New Heatilator Novus nXt</h1> <p>Administrator — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:18:00 GMT</p> Heatilator® continues to innovate with the Novus™ Series of fireplaces, which earned a Consumer Digest Best Buy in 2008. Now available, the Novus nXt is a value-priced, high efficiency direct vent gas fireplace. Since it can produce 30,000 Btus of heat per hour, it’s an excellent choice for homeowners who want to zone heat their living spaces. The Novus nXt is at the top of the list for value-priced fireplaces with many standard features including intermittent pilot ignition, ceramic glass that radiates more heat, and controls that allow homeowners to adjust the flames and heat to desired levels. <a href="/Products/Novus-nXt-Gas-Fireplace.aspx">More information and photo ></a> </article> <article> <h1>Making the Healthy Hearth Choice</h1> <p>Administrator — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 20:17:00 GMT</p> You make decisions about your family's health every day, from the foods you choose to the vitamins you buy to the health-care provider you see. But there's one big health decision people frequently don't consider: how to make sure your home's indoor air quality is safe. Studies show that we're actually more likely to get sick from poor indoor air quality at home than from outdoor air pollution. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), pollutant levels in the home are often two to 10 times higher than those found outdoors. And with people spending, on average, more than 65 percent of their time indoors, it's important to reduce the risks of indoor air pollution as much as possible. Selecting the right fireplace for your home can be essential to helping ensure a healthy indoor breathing environment. <strong>Indoor Air Pollutants: Invisible Trouble</strong> Any home built after 1980 meets strict construction codes that, in an effort to conserve energy, feature tighter construction. As a result, less fresh air enters the home and harmful fumes, particles and excess moisture are less likely to escape through windows, doors, seams and wall chinks. Eventually, these pollutants can build up and lead to problems like elevated levels of mold, mildew and other allergens. "Houses today are built tighter than ever," says Roger Oxford, Senior Vice President of New Construction at Hearth & Home Technologies, "which is great for boosting energy efficiency. However, it's not so great for the occupants if the home is too tight to permit proper ventilation. That's why it's critical for people to work closely with their builders to keep ventilation in mind during the construction process. In particular, it's important for consumers to demand appliances that vent indoor pollutants outside the home. For example, if you're looking to add a natural gas or liquid propane fireplace, a direct-vent gas fireplace is the best choice for the health of your family." John Bower of the Healthy House Institute adds: "If you have a vent-free appliance, you're living in a chimney. I don't know anyone in the building science community who thinks they're a particularly good idea." <strong>The Healthy Hearth Choice</strong> Direct-vent gas fireplaces use outside air for combustion, and expel 100 percent of the combustion exhaust and by-products (like moisture, carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide) outside the home. As a result, they do not decrease your home's indoor air quality in any way. In fact, one of today's most sophisticated direct-vent fireplaces can actually improve your home's air quality. The FreshAir Fireplace™ by Heatilator® and Heat & Glo™ uses state-of-the-art ventilation technology that brings fresh air into your home while exhausting an equal amount of stale air. The FreshAir Fireplace works in conjunction with a heat recovery ventilator and your furnace to supply a balanced flow of fresh air throughout the house, creating a more comfortable environment for your family. Most important, the FreshAir Fireplace reduces moisture levels in your home, which helps prevent the growth of mold and mildew. <strong>Unvented Fireplaces—Unwanted By-products</strong> In contrast, unvented or vent free gas fireplaces literally turn your entire home into a chimney, and can represent a major source of indoor air pollution in new homes. Unvented gas fireplace flames consume oxygen from inside your home for operation - and they expel exhaust, fumes, soot and strong combustion odors back into your living space. Your family then breathes in these by-products. Unvented gas fireplaces can release up to a quart of excess moisture into the room every hour they are in operation. This moisture can condense on window glass and underneath carpet, which encourages the growth of mold and mildew. Because of problems like these, many builders will not install unvented gas fireplaces in new homes. In fact, the nation's top ten builders have policies against installing unvented products. If you have questions about how you can maximize your home's indoor air quality, talk to your builder or your local fireplace retailer. To read comments from unvented fireplaces owners, check out <a href="http://www.chimneysweeponline.com/hovflett.htm" target="_blank">http://www.chimneysweeponline.com/hovflett.htm</a> </article> <article> <h1>Heat Up Your Home’s Value with a Fireplace</h1> <p>Administrator — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:16:00 GMT</p> Adding a fireplace when you're building or remodeling undoubtedly increases the enjoyment of your home, but did you know that adding a fireplace is also a great investment in a home's resale value? Because of their warmth - both literal and figurative - fireplaces are one of the features that potential homebuyers inevitably gravitate toward. "When I get a new listing of a home that has a fireplace, it's imperative I work that fact into all of my marketing materials about the property," said Brad Palecek, a realtor with Edina Realty in St. Paul, Minn. By bringing the idea of "hearth and home" to life, a fireplace increases a home's livability - an important quality these days, with more people opting to spend quiet time at home with family and friends. In fact, many of today's homebuyers consider a fireplace a "must-have" feature. A National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) survey found that 77% of homebuyers want a fireplace in the family room, where they'll spend most of their time. And fifty percent of homebuyers would like a fireplace in the living room, where they do much of their entertaining. <strong>Return on investment</strong> With the high demand for fireplaces, adding one to your home clearly means a great investment. <em>Remodeling</em> magazine's 2003 "Cost vs. Value Report" points out when selling a home, it's easier to recover the cost of lower-priced projects like fireplace additions than the cost of major renovations like new kitchens. According to MSN's "House & Home Advisor," adding a fireplace is one of the top three remodeling jobs in terms of return on investment (the other two are adding a bathroom and minor kitchen remodeling). Studies show that homeowners can often recoup more than 100% of the cost of adding a fireplace when they sell the home. In fact, according to the National Association of Real Estate Appraisers, homeowners without fireplaces can potentially raise the selling prices of their homes by about 6-12% simply by adding a fireplace. A fireplace also adds less-tangible value by helping buyers see your home in a better light. "If I'm the listing agent on a property that's showing in the fall, winter or early spring, I'll always light a fire in the fireplace for open houses - particularly if the fireplace is a woodburner," said Palecek. "People are drawn to a fire; it makes them feel good about being in a room." <strong>Options Abound </strong>Many homeowners opt for more than one fireplace (Brad Palecek's own house has three), often mixing and matching the types of fireplaces depending on how each room is used. And when you're building a home, the choice is yours. As you work with your contractor on fireplace selection, remember that it's a good strategy to invest in the best. Choosing the most high-end fireplace that your budget will accommodate will give you top-dollar return on investment if you sell your home later. Tom and Cari Reichenbach decided to give themselves the best of two worlds in the home they built earlier this year. Their home features a stunning flagstone woodburning fireplace as the focal point of their great room upstairs and a gas fireplace in the corner of their lower-level family room. "We wanted that organic feel of a wood fire upstairs with a nice big hearth we can sit on," said Cari. "And it's not just a special-occasion fireplace - I'll often light a fire in the middle of a weekday afternoon." Downstairs, a gas fireplace was the right choice for the family. "We wanted the convenience of having a fire at the touch of a button in the TV room," Cari explained. "Turning on the fireplace warms up the room right away, both in terms of temperature and the coziness factor." <strong>Choose the right fireplace for you</strong> When you're thinking about adding a fireplace to your current home or new construction, consider the following options: <strong>Wood</strong>, with its unmistakable look, sound and smell, is the fireplace experience that evokes feelings of nostalgia for many homeowners. Today's woodburning fireplaces are more environmentally responsible than ever. Many models, like those in Heatilator's® Constitution™ line, comply with the strictest government air-quality regulations, and work in communities that have imposed bans on conventional woodburning fireplaces. <strong>Gas</strong> is currently the most popular choice among homeowners, thanks to its convenience, efficiency and safety. A direct-vent gas fireplace can be installed almost anywhere; most gas fireplaces burn natural gas, but many can be installed to burn propane. In addition, unlike unvented or vent free gas fireplaces, direct-vent gas fireplaces use outside air for combustion, and expel 100% of the combustion exhaust and by-products (like moisture, carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide) outside the home. As a result, they do not decrease your home's indoor air quality in any way. <strong>Electric</strong> fireplaces don't require chimneys or venting systems, so they're a good option for apartments, condos and townhomes. These fireplaces can provide a fire-like ambiance either with or without heat. </article> <article> <h1>New! The Carolina Outdoor Gas Fireplace</h1> <p>Administrator — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:15:00 GMT</p> Outdoor Lifestyles by Hearth & Home Technologies is pleased to introduce the new Carolina outdoor gas fireplace. Whether you are building a new home or remodeling a deck or patio, this fireplace will transform your outdoor area into a versatile, warm and inviting living space. <a href="/Products/Carolina-Gas-Fireplace.aspx">More information and photo ></a> </article> <article> <h1>Tax Credit of up to $1,500 for Biomass Stove Purchase</h1> <p>Administrator — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 20:14:00 GMT</p> Under the 2009 Economic Stimulus legislation, U.S. homeowners who purchase a 75-percent efficient biomass (wood or pellet) burning stove, fireplace or fireplace insert and place it into service in their home during 2009 or 2010 can receive a 30-percent tax credit for costs incurred, up to $1,500. Today the Federal Government released clarifying guidelines for qualifying biomass products. The guidelines verify that more than 30 Quadra-Fire® and Harman Home Heating™ products, as well as the Heat & Glo® Northstar and Heatilator® Constitution wood burning units, qualify for the tax credit. The products include EPA-certified wood stoves, fireplaces and inserts, as well as pellet stoves, fireplaces, inserts, furnaces and boilers. Quadra-Fire, Harman, Heat & Glo and Heatilator are brands of Hearth & Home Technologies, based in Lakeville, Minnesota. “In addition to enjoying the ambience of a wood or pellet burning appliance, homeowners now have another reason to install wood or pellet burning products in their homes,” said John Shimek, vice president of marketing for Hearth & Home Technologies. “With multiple designs and styles to choose from, qualifying products have the most advanced technologies for fuel and heat efficiency and are backed by a limited lifetime warranty.” For a complete listing of qualifying products and to find a dealer, visit <a href="http://www.quadrafire.com/" target="_blank">www.quadrafire.com</a>, <a href="http://www.harmanstoves.com/" target="_blank">www.harmanstoves.com</a>, <a href="http://www.heatnglo.com/" target="_blank">www.heatnglo.com</a>, or <a href="http://www.heatilator.com/">www.heatilator.com</a>. After the purchase, the homeowner can obtain an Official Manufacturer’s Certificate from the manufacture’s website or their dealer. It certifies that the product qualifies for the tax credit, and the homeowner can rely on the certificate when preparing his or her tax return. Homeowners are not required to submit the certificate or a product sales receipt to the government, but should retain them for their records. The benefits of heating with biomass There are multiple benefits to installing a wood or pellet burning appliance to produce heat in your home. Financial benefits are derived for years to come with reduced heating costs. And prices for wood and pellets are predictable when compared to propane, oil and natural gas, which can fluctuate greatly. “There are significant environmental benefits derived from heating your home with biomass,” said Dan Henry, chief technical officer for Hearth & Home Technologies. “Burning wood and pellets is considered carbon-neutral since only the carbon the tree or plant absorbed when growing is released into the air, contributing to less greenhouse gases.” About EPA-certified wood burning fireplaces, stoves and inserts Technological advancements have made today’s wood stoves, fireplaces and inserts considerably more efficient than dated models. EPA-certified wood burning units are up to 85-percent efficient, producing more heat with less wood to provide warmth and comfort for many hours. They are clean-burning with less ash and minimal outside air emissions. Complete combustion is achieved through high temperatures, ample oxygen and sufficient burning of gases before they are exhausted. It can also eliminate the accumulation of creosote, a flammable chimney residue. They are perfect for homeowners who want to live green and also enjoy the crackling sounds and flickering flames of burning wood. Quadra-Fire, Harman, Heat & Glo and Heatilator EPA-certified wood units: • Burn wood fuel, which is renewable and considered carbon-neutral • Produce low outside air particulate emissions • Are the cleanest burning, most efficient wood appliances available today • Qualify within green construction building programs, such as LEED® for Homes About pellet burning fireplaces, stoves and inserts Pellet appliances have great heating efficiencies and low emissions. They are easy to operate with built-in fuel hoppers and feeding devices that move pellets in small groups to the combustion chamber. The various Quadra-Fire and Harman models have control panels or wall-mounted thermostats to control heat and minimize fuel consumption. Quadra-Fire and Harman pellet burning fireplaces: • Burn cleaner than any other type of biomass hearth system • Have the lowest outside air particulate emissions • Are the most efficient biomass hearth systems • Utilize renewable biomass fuel, which is considered carbon-neutral • Qualify within green construction building programs, such as LEED® for Homes Pellets burn cleaner than virtually any other biomass fuel and produce low particulate matter, helping to reduce air pollution. They are made from compacted sawdust, wood chips, bark, agricultural crop waste, waste paper and other organic materials. Burning pellets is a constructive way to reuse material that may otherwise go to a landfill. Wood pellets are typically purchased in 40-pound bags for between $5 and $7, providing up to 24 hours of steady heat. Controlling energy costs and reducing fossil fuel consumption Increasing concerns about controlling heating costs and living green have many homeowners turning to renewable fuels for supplemental or whole home heating. For the same reasons, the U.S. government is supporting and promoting the use of biomass appliances for heat. Qualifying Quadra-Fire, Harman, Heat & Glo and Heatilator biomass units are clean-burning with low emissions, eliminating approximately 75-percent of carbon emissions associated with fossil fuel heating. For more information about the tax credit, visit <a href="http://www.irs.gov/" target="_blank">http://www.irs.gov/</a>. About Hearth & Home Technologies Inc. Hearth & Home Technologies is the world’s leading provider of whole hearth systems including fireplaces, stoves and inserts, as well as furnaces that utilize biomass fuels. Its family of brands includes Harman™, Heatilator®, Heat & Glo®, Quadra-Fire® and Fireside Hearth & Home® retail stores and builder design centers. The company offers a wide variety of energy efficient and environmentally sustainable hearth products, which are manufactured, packaged and delivered with respect for the environment. Hearth & Home Technologies is a subsidiary of HNI Corporation (NYSE: HNI), the second largest office furniture manufacturer in the United States. More information can be found at <a href="http://www.hearthnhome.com/" target="_blank">www.hearthnhome.com</a>. </article> <article> <h1>Heatilator Introduces the Rave</h1> <p>Administrator — Tue, 19 May 2009 20:13:00 GMT</p> Heatilator® is proud to debut the Rave – the industry’s best-valued modern landscape fireplace. This direct vent gas fireplace has the straightforward, contemporary styling that so many homeowners want today. Not only is it attractive, but it has a very competitive price tag. <a href="/Products/Rave-Gas-Fireplace.aspx">More information ></a> </article> <article> <h1>Slash Heating Costs this Winter: Tips to Help Reduce Heating Bills and Increase Comfort</h1> <p>Administrator — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:12:00 GMT</p> Eighty to 90 percent of heat produced in a wood-burning fireplace can be lost up the chimney. While caulking cracks around windows and using compact fluorescent light bulbs and ENERGY STAR® appliances are smart steps toward conversation, one often-overlooked area that has an immediate impact on home energy use is the fireplace. In fact, fireplace options can either harm or help with energy savings, depending on many factors. For instance, is the fireplace vented or non-vented, what type of fuel is used and how much heat escapes the home. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating and cooling accounts for 56 percent of the energy use in a typical U.S. home, making it the largest energy expense for most homeowners. With crisper temperatures approaching, fireplaces.com provides a valuable resource for homeowners preparing for a season of high heating bills, resulting from increasing energy prices and demand for oil and natural gas. There are a variety of hearth options available to help homeowners keep their homes warm and comfortable, while simultaneously lowering utility bills. • Consider retrofitting energy draining fireplaces with direct vent gas inserts. With little effort, homeowners can convert dated heat-draining wood-burning fireplaces with modern high-efficiency direct vent inserts, which will produce immediate benefits. Operated by the flip of a switch, direct vent gas inserts offer homeowners the greatest level of convenience and little effort. Certified professionals can install a direct vent gas insert into an existing wood-burning fireplace without the need for major construction, heavy remodeling charges or inconvenience. Direct vent gas inserts achieve greater heating efficiency through the use of a sealed system. With this type of system, 100 percent of the combustion air necessary to produce a flame comes from outside the home, eliminating heat loss associated with conventional chimneys. As with wood-burning fireplaces, which can suck the air out of a home, homeowners can see immediate benefits by using this type of hearth. Direct vent gas inserts also ensure healthy indoor air environments and, through lower heating bills, can pay for themselves in a matter of a few years. • Look into renewable zone heating with gas, pellet or wood-burning appliances. Through zone heating, heat is restricted to the most frequently used parts of the home and helps keep a home's heating costs down. Homeowners can turn down the thermostats on the central furnace and have the option of pellet stoves, wood-burning fireplaces or direct vent gas inserts to zone heat their home. With some hearth products, a 3,500 square-foot home can be heated, but ideally homeowners will be able to heat the rooms used the most. • Look for EPA 40 when purchasing wood-burning fireplaces, inserts and stoves. High-efficiency wood-burning fireplaces, inserts and stoves are an attractive choice. Since 1992, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has required this type of fireplace to pass stringent emission tests – meaning new wood-burning fireplaces burn much cleaner and use less wood to produce greater amounts of heat than dated models. Homeowners should look for the EPA 40 certified high-efficiency models, which give the option to burn the appliance on no-burn or low emission days. In addition, they offer up to 78 percent efficiency, making them a powerful home heating source. • Don't wait until winter strikes. Waiting until winter to address high heating bills can be a costly mistake. Waiting to explore options until the cold weather arrives can result in long deliveries and installation delays. Homeowners can review their options and find a reputable dealer by visiting fireplaces.com. Images, product information and industry comments are available upon request. To speak to an expert, contact Katie Burton at 317-873-8100 or katie@millerbrooks.com. About Hearth & Home Technologies Inc. Hearth & Home Technologies leads the industry with a wide range of environmentally sustainable whole hearth systems. The Hearth & Home Technologies family includes Heatilator®, Heat & Glo™, Quadra-Fire® and Harman brand hearth products and Fireside Hearth & Home™ brand hearth design centers. The company's environmentally sustainable fireplaces provide energy efficiency, warmth/comfort and excellent indoor air quality. Hearth & Home Technologies' environmentally sustainable fireplaces are also manufactured, packaged and delivered with respect for the environment. Hearth & Home Technologies is a subsidiary of HNI Corporation (NYSE: HNI), the second largest office furniture manufacturer in the United States. </article> <article> <h1>Ways to Green Up Your Home</h1> <p>Administrator — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 20:11:00 GMT</p> The end of winter comes as a big relief for most Americans, and not just because of the arrival of more comfortable weather. Finally, there’s an end to those record high home heating bills. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, Americans spent an average of 9.8 percent more on their home heating bills this winter than during the previous year. Heating oil prices went up the most – 21.8 percent over the previous year. The average cost of heating a home using heating oil was $ 1,785 this winter. With the price of a barrel of oil in record territory, it looks like high home heating prices are here to stay, but there are things you can do now while the weather is mild to make sure the impact won’t sting as much next year. Here are some steps you can take to green up your home today: * Replace your old fireplace with an EPA certified clean-burning wood fireplace. They are a lot more energy efficient than standard wood burning fireplaces because they provide heat by burning both the wood and the resulting smoke. “Half the heat generated in an EPA certified appliance, whether it’s a stove, an insert or fireplace, comes from burning the smoke. Upgrading to one of these means less trips to the wood pile, cleaning the chimney less and cleaner air outside,” says Steve Tate of Quadra-Fire, the leading manufacturer of clean-burning hearth appliances. * If burning firewood isn't for you, another option is to convert your wood burning fireplace into a powerful, high efficiency heat source with a Quadra-Fire pellet-burning insert that fits into your existing wood-burning fireplace. Pellets are made of sawdust and wood waste from lumber yards, furniture factories and other wood industries. “By burning pellets, you can enjoy natural sustainable heat that is not only more green, but more convenient and consistent as well. If you set your unit’s thermostat at 72, it will warm your home to that temperature then shut off and won’t overheat the space,” says Tate. * If you want the convenience of a gas fireplace, look for one with direct-vent technology that meets the criteria for the Energy Star Indoor Air Package. Heat & Glo and Heatilator are good choices. In addition to greening up your home heating, here are some other environmentally friendly upgrades you may want to consider: * When it comes time to upgrade your flooring, consider using reclaimed wood. There are several companies in the marketplace that offer planks made out of boards recovered from old barns and buildings. * Equip your home with a rainwater catchment system that collects, filters, stores and delivers rainwater for non-potable uses in the home, such as for toilets. Rainwater is diverted from the roof, filtered, and then stored in an underground holding tank next to the home. For more information about these and other heating options available, visit <a href="http://www.fireplaces.com/" target="_blank">www.fireplaces.com</a>. </article> <article> <h1>Hearth & Home Technologies™ Offers Industry-Leading Green Portfolio of Whole Hearth Systems</h1> <p>Administrator — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 21:10:00 GMT</p> Hearth & Home Technologies showcases the industry’s strongest portfolio of environmentally friendly whole hearth systems at the 2008 International Builders’ Show®, Feb. 13 – 16, 2008, in Orlando, Fla., at the Orange County Convention Center. The company offers a full suite of products that promote both energy efficiency and air quality through the use of clean-burning gas, electric and EPA-approved wood-burning fireplaces and stoves under their brands Heat & Glo™, Heatilator®, Quadra-Fire® and Harman brand fireplaces. “We are proud that green is simply just part of the fabric of Hearth & Home Technologies,” says Tim Rethlake, vice president of Hearth & Home Technologies’ New Construction Sales Growth. “Green is undeniably the new frontier in the building industry, and thanks to leaders like the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) who are making real and sustainable change with forward-thinking professional programs, the industry will soon catch up to homeowners’ demands to live in environments that support the health of people and our planet.” When installing fireplaces in new homes, Hearth & Home Technologies encourages builders to refer to NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines. Most notable among the company’s green pursuits is its invention of the direct-vent gas fireplace in the mid-1980s by Heat & Glo™, which revolutionized the hearth industry by permitting safe gas fireplace installation virtually anywhere in the home. Unlike unvented or vent-free gas fireplaces, direct-vent gas models directly expel 100 percent of the fireplace’s combustion exhaust, moisture and odors. Indoor air quality does not have a chance of being compromised because a sealed glass front keeps by-products such as carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide and excess moisture from entering the home. In addition, most of Hearth & Home Technologies’ direct-vent fireplaces operate at 72 percent thermal efficiency. “It’s gratifying to be an active participant in the sustainable movement by promoting clean technologies like direct-vent and refusing to make or sell hearth systems that continue to cause unhealthy indoor and outdoor air quality or create excess moisture,” adds Rethlake. “The direct-vent technology is now the most popular type of venting among all manufacturers and is acknowledged as the best green innovation for modern fireplaces across the board. Our invention of direct vent fireplaces was recently recognized by the Energy & Environmental Building Association (EEBA) as one of the top 25 technology breakthroughs in residential construction.” Hearth & Home Technologies’ direct-vent technology helps builders achieve the best building practices prescribed in several national green programs including the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® for Homes Rating System, ENERGY STAR’s Indoor Air Package, the American Lung Association’s® Health House® program, and the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines. Hearth & Home Technologies leads the industry with a wide range of environmentally sustainable whole hearth systems. The Hearth & Home Technologies family includes Heatilator®, Heat & Glo™, Quadra-Fire® and Harman brand hearth products and Fireside Hearth & Home™ brand hearth design centers. The company’s environmentally sustainable fireplaces provide energy-efficiency, warmth/comfort and excellent indoor air quality. Hearth & Home Technologies’ environmentally sustainable fireplaces are also manufactured, packaged and delivered with respect for the environment. Hearth & Home Technologies is a subsidiary of HNI Corporation (NYSE: HNI), the second largest office furniture manufacturer in the United States. </article> <article> <h1>Don’t Let Money Float Up the Flue</h1> <p>Administrator — Thu, 08 Jun 2006 20:09:00 GMT</p> <em>Why a Fireplace Insert Should be Your Top Remodel Project</em> Do you have a standard woodburning fireplace? If so, did you know that it can actually be a source of heat loss for your home? According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), a woodburning fireplace can exhaust as much as 24,000 cubic feet of air per hour to the outside, which in turn draws in cold air from the outside through the home's doors and windows. And since older woodburning fireplaces are only -15 to +15 percent efficient, the DOE considers them one of the most inefficient heat sources a homeowner can use. In this era of rising fuel costs now is the time to convert your old woodburning fireplace into a highly-efficient gas, pellet or woodburning fireplace insert. This remodeling project not only enhances the aesthetics and beauty of your overall living environment, but also provides home energy savings. In fact, converting to a fireplace insert can make the fireplace up to 85 percent efficient. Fireplaces inserts come in variety of shapes and styles to fit the décor of your home. You can select an insert that burns gas, wood or pellet fuel. Determining which fuel type is right for you requires considering fuel cost and availability, the desired efficiency and heat output, level of interaction and maintenance requirements, as well as the desired appearance of the fire. <strong>Gas Fireplace Inserts </strong> Operating at a flip of a switch, gas fireplace inserts offer you the greatest level of convenience. With a gas fireplace insert you'll no longer have to deal with the hassles of cleaning ash or hauling wood into the home. Gas fireplace inserts consist of a gas log set installed in a steel or ceramic molded firebox with two flexible vent pipes that run to the outside through the existing chimney. Many units have fans to assist heat movement into the room and are available with wall-mounted thermostats or remote controls so you can program them for automatic operation like your furnace. When considering a gas fireplace insert, you should look to A.F.U.E. (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rated direct vent gas fireplace inserts as the smartest choice. A.F.U.E. rated fireplace inserts are tested to the same standard as furnaces. Direct vent gas fireplace inserts achieve greater heating efficiency than a woodburning fireplace because they feature a sealed combustion system. This means that 100 percent of the combustion air necessary to produce a flame comes from outside the home through a direct vent pipe, eliminating the heat loss associated with conventional chimneys. Up to 85 percent of the heat direct vent gas fireplace inserts generate remains in the house. In addition, the direct vent pipe expels 100 percent of the fire's combustion exhaust outside the home, protecting indoor air quality. In fact, the American Lung Association states that direct vent appliances are the healthiest hearth choice a consumer can make. Due to their high efficiency, direct vent gas fireplace inserts can pay for themselves in a matter of a few years through lower heating bills. <strong>Pellet-burning Fireplace Inserts </strong> Pellet-burning inserts continue to gain favor with homeowners because it can cost as little as $3.00 to provide 24 hours of steady heat. Thanks to state-of-the-art technology, pellet-burning inserts are convenient, easy-to-use and highly-efficient. They require simply loading pellet fuel such as wood pellets or corn into the hopper and starting the unit. An automatic feed system delivers the pellets into the burn chamber. Quadra-Fire takes the technology even further with its new Mt. Vernon Advanced Energy Insert. Offering up to 75 percent efficiency, the Mt Vernon Advanced Energy Insert automatically tracks and adjusts heat output, and automatically cleans itself without interrupting heat output. In addition, the Mt. Vernon Advanced Energy Insert informs you that the fuel hopper is low, fuel quality is poor or a part needs replacement or maintenance. It also operates on multiple pellet fuels including wood pellets and corn making it one of the most versatile inserts on the market. <strong>Woodburning Fireplace Inserts </strong> For those that can't stand the thought of a fire without the crackle and aroma of burning wood, highly-efficient woodburning inserts are an attractive choice. Regulations enacted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) require wood fireplace inserts manufactured and sold after July 1, 1992 to pass stringent emission tests. This means woodburning inserts burn much cleaner than older models and use less wood to obtain greater amounts of heat. You can install woodburning fireplace inserts flush to the wall for a more traditional appearance or extended onto the hearth for additional radiant heating. In addition, they offer up to 78 percent efficiency making them a powerful home heating source with some units capable of heating 3,500 sq. ft. <strong>Installation Considerations </strong> Gas, pellet-burning and woodburning fireplace inserts range in price from $1,399 to $2,599; For those that do not want a real flame or have venting issues, an electric fireplace insert can be purchased for under $500.00. You can install a fireplace insert on your own, however, it's highly-recommended a factory-trained professional perform the installation to ensure accordance with local and national building codes. Installation costs vary widely depending on each homeowner's circumstances and location; however, $500-$900 is an average range. This includes obtaining a gas permit if necessary and labor. <table style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #333333 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #333333 1px solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 5px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-RIGHT: 5px; BORDER-TOP: #333333 1px solid; BORDER-RIGHT: #999999 1px solid; PADDING-TOP: 5px" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="10" align="center"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="50%" align="center">Before: </td> <td width="50%" align="center">After: </td></tr></tbody></table> </article> <article> <h1>Fireplace Insert Before & After Images</h1> <p>Administrator — Thu, 08 Jun 2006 20:07:00 GMT</p> The image on the left is a standard masonry woodburning fireplace, which is great for creating ambiance but is one of the most inefficient heat sources a homeowner can use. To achieve greater convenience and boost the fireplace's efficiency by up to 85 percent, this homeowner converted their old masonry fireplace into high-efficiency gas insert as pictured on the right. <table style="BORDER-RIGHT: #999999 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 5px; BORDER-TOP: #333333 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #333333 1px solid; PADDING-TOP: 5px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #333333 1px solid" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="10" align="center"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" width="50%">Before:<br /> </td> <td align="center" width="50%">After:<br /> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> Operating at a flip of a switch, gas fireplace inserts offer you the greatest level of convenience. With a gas fireplace insert you'll no longer have to deal with the hassles of cleaning ash or hauling wood into the home. Gas fireplace inserts consist of a gas log set installed in a steel or ceramic molded firebox with two flexible vent pipes that run to the outside through the existing chimney. Many units have fans to assist heat movement into the room and are available with wall-mounted thermostats or remote controls so you can program them for automatic operation like your furnace. Thanks to their high efficiency, direct vent gas fireplace inserts can pay for themselves in a matter of a few years through lower heating bills. </article> <article> <h1>Checklist: How to Select a Fireplace Insert</h1> <p>Administrator — Wed, 07 Jun 2006 20:08:00 GMT</p> The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA) recommends considering the following information when selecting a fireplace insert: <strong>TYPE:</strong> Fireplace inserts are distinguished by fuel. There are six different types: natural gas, propane, electric, EPA-certified wood, pellet and coal. <strong>SIZE:</strong> There are many sizes of fireplace inserts, from small to extremely large. The key factor in selecting the size is based on the opening of the existing fireplace. To determine the right size, measure the following: opening height; opening width; opening depth (top and bottom); rear width and the depth of the hearth (area in front of fireplace). <strong>LOCATION:</strong> A fireplace insert needs to be placed in an existing masonry or factory-built fireplace with a working chimney. <strong>VENTING:</strong> Fireplace inserts are either vented naturally through a working chimney, direct vented or vent-free, depending on fuel choice. In most cases, a chimney liner is required. The type and size of the liner is specific to the fuel. <strong>FEATURES:</strong> Fireplace inserts are made from steel or cast iron and may also have optional fans to better distribute heat into a room, as well as wall thermostatic, or remote controls, to help regulate the fire automatically. <strong>STYLE:</strong> The style of fireplace inserts varies among fuel types. But, no matter what the fuel type, all fireplace inserts come in a variety of colors, finishes and designs, from modern to traditional. <strong>INSTALLATION:</strong> To ensure the safe and reliable installation of a fireplace insert, the HPBA recommends that people use a specialty retailer and a certified professional installer. In addition to assessing the construction of a house, the professional will obtain the necessary building permits and make sure that the installation meets all local and state codes. He or she will also ensure that the insert is as airtight as possible, using approved fireplace insulating materials, to make the fire easier to control and increase the heat output. In the case of gas, the professional installer will carefully adjust the fireplace to ensure the proper appearance of the flame. <strong>MAINTENANCE:</strong> The level of maintenance required for fireplace inserts depends on the chosen fuel type. A fireplace insert generally needs to be removed when the appliance is being maintained. But, no matter what type of fireplace insert is selected, the HPBA suggests that the chimney be inspected on an annual basis by a chimney sweep certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America. <strong>AVERAGE COST:</strong> The price of the unit itself is only part of the total cost of owning a fireplace insert. Other requirements include installation, delivery, annual fuel costs and annual maintenance. </article> <article> <h1>Look to Gas Fireplaces for Home Heating Help</h1> <p>Administrator — Mon, 17 Oct 2005 20:06:00 GMT</p> With homeowners facing the inevitable crunch of rising energy prices this heating season, Hearth & Home Technologies, the world’s largest fireplace manufacturer and leading provider of hearth products, reminds homeowners that wise use of gas fireplaces can significantly reduce their monthly heating bill. While higher natural gas and liquid propane prices may tempt cost-conscious homeowners to limit their gas fireplace use, gas fireplaces can actually reduce dependence on a central furnace—providing immediate cost savings. <strong>Zone Heating with Gas Fireplaces</strong> By practicing zone heating with gas fireplaces, homeowners heat the room or living area where people spend the most time. This allows them to turn down the thermostat on their central furnace and use the gas fireplace as a supplemental heat source. As the central heating supply, furnaces distribute heat across the entire house including rooms that are not in use. Operating a furnace for one hour at 75,000 -100,000 Btu cost a homeowner $1.12 - $1.49 based on last month’s national average natural gas rate. By comparison, a natural gas fireplace running at 30,000 Btu per hour cost only 45 cents. From a financial standpoint, it makes sense to limit the furnace output whenever possible and heat the most frequently used rooms with a gas fireplace. “Homeowners spend the majority of their time usually in the family room and kitchen,” said Trisha Gregory, retail channel marketing manager, Hearth & Home Technologies. “By adding a gas fireplace to the family room, homeowners can the heat the space they spend the most time in. And if the family room is in the lower level of the home, homeowners gain the advantage of the natural heat rising to other levels of the home.” <strong>What to Look For</strong> Homeowners considering buying a gas fireplace should first look for units that are A.F.U.E. (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rated. A.F.U.E. gas fireplaces are tested to the same standard used to rate today’s energy efficient furnaces. The second thing to look for is direct vent gas fireplaces. Direct vent gas fireplaces burn efficiently with up to 70 percent of the heat they generate remaining in the house. Direct vent gas technology allows gas fireplaces to install in virtually any room of the home at a fraction of the cost of a masonry fireplace. This makes them an ideal choice for zone heating. They are particularly effective for zone heating because people absorb the radiant heat from the glass front while the firebox also heats the air in the room. Masonry woodburning fireplaces in comparison can lose up 85 percent of the fire’s heat through the chimney. Direct vent gas fireplaces also conveniently operate at the push of a button via a wall control or remote control. And they do not require any ash clean up after use. Unlike unvented or vent free gas fireplaces, direct vent gas fireplaces also ensure a healthy breathing environment by expelling 100 percent of the unwanted combustion gases and moisture directly outside the home. <strong>Latest Cost-Saving Technology</strong> In addition to zone heating savings, homeowners can save up to $12 each month on their gas bill by selecting a direct vent gas fireplace with an intermittent pilot ignition (IPI) system. For example, Heat & Glo™, Heatilator® and Quadra-Fire® brand direct vent gas fireplaces feature a patented IPI system known as Intellifire®. This electric ignition system eliminates to keep the pilot light always lit to use the fireplace. The IPI system automatically turns on the pilot when the homeowner turns on the fireplace. An IPI system can reduce as much as half the gas used by a fireplace, over nine million Btu per year, by turning on and off the pilot light. Heat & Glo, Heatilator and Quadra-Fire also offer Heat-Zone™ technology to further reduce heating costs. Different from zone heating, Heat-Zone allows homeowners to disperse heat from the fireplace up to two other rooms in their home. With a Heat-Zone option turned on, the fireplace directs heat to another location through flexible ducting that’s finished off with a standard floor grate. A fan system draws the air from around the firebox and pushes it into an area where warmth is more desirable at the time. It’s the perfect answer for those wanting a flexible heat source for more than one room without maintaining a higher setting on their furnace. Another heat enhancing feature available only on Heat & Glo, Heatilator and Quadra-Fire brand gas fireplaces and fireplace inserts is Firebrick™ technology. FireBrick is a patented technology that replaces the fireplace’s metal firebox with a molded ceramic material. This creates a seamless firebox that generates up to 15 percent more radiant heat than its metal counterparts. Instead of losing heat due to convection through the sides and back of a metal firebox, Firebrick technology directs the additional heat into the room. In fact, Firebrick fireboxes generate so much radiant heat they don’t require a fan to disperse heat into the room. Some new direct vent gas fireplaces are even programmable enabling a homeowner to program the unit to light or shut off at anytime. For example, the Heat & Glo Soulstice™ direct vent gas fireplace is a stylish fireplace that’s ideal for intimate spaces such as the master suite. It comes standard with a sleep timer so homeowners can fall to sleep to the warmth and beauty of a fire or wake up to one. As a result, homeowners can limit their furnace use earlier in the evening and delay its use in the morning. Homeowners concerned about reducing their heating bill can look to gas fireplaces as a viable solution. By using the appliances properly and employing the latest technology available, they can obtain a functional supplemental heat source while also reaping the lifestyle benefits that come from spending time in front of the hearth. Hearth & Home Technologies is the world’s largest fireplace manufacturer and a leading provider of hearth products for the home. The Hearth & Home Technologies family includes Heat & Glo™, Heatilator® and Quadra-Fire® brand hearth products and Fireside Hearth & Home™ brand hearth retail stores. More information on Hearth & Home Technologies can be found at <a href="http://www.hearthnhome.com/">www.hearthnhome.com</a>. </article> <article> <h1>Outdoor Rooms: A Space for All Seasons</h1> <p>Administrator — Wed, 24 Aug 2005 20:06:00 GMT</p> We're all spending more time at home these days, it seems. Whether it's greater focus on family time or an emphasis on staying in to entertain friends rather than going out, Americans are all about the comforts of home. And we're not content to stay within four walls anymore. Outdoor living rooms, complete with comfortable furniture, fire pits and outdoor fireplaces, continue to gain popularity with homeowners. There's even a trend toward outdoor kitchens - wonderful gathering spots for spending time with family and entertaining friends. <strong>The Outside is In</strong> Outdoor living is catching on all over the country. According to the National Association of Home Builders, more than half the single-family houses built today have a patio or deck. And the Census Bureau says that more than $50 billion of the $172 billion consumers spent on remodeling last year was spent on the outsides of homes - a great way to add more character and style while also increasing the home's value. Statistics show that adding outdoor amenities is a smart way to spend construction dollars. In some markets, adding a deck or patio gives you a return on investment of more than 200 percent when you sell your home, according to <em>Money</em> magazine. Because appraisers regard decks and patios as permanent structures, they add to your home's appraised value. The best time to add an outdoor living room is when you're building. It costs up to 60 percent less to build such a space during initial construction than it does to add it later. <strong>Bringing the Hearth Outdoors</strong> Warming up an outdoor living room is easy with the wide variety of outdoor fireplace designs available today. These fireplaces bring the traditional hearth outside with weather-resistant construction plus all the features of indoor fireplaces. Traditional masonry is one option, but design innovations in stainless-steel construction let you get the look of masonry at a fraction of the cost. You can choose a wood-burning fireplace, natural gas or propane. No matter what type you pick, the fireplace can integrate into the design of your home to create true outdoor décor. One great option that can become a stunning focal point for both your indoor and outdoor living rooms is an indoor/outdoor see-through gas fireplace like the Twilight II™ by Heat & Glo™. <strong>No smoke. No ashes. No problem</strong> Outdoor fireplaces let you enjoy a traditional campfire in your own backyard without the traditional hassles. "Old-fashioned campfires or fire pits mean that somebody always has smoke in their eyes," said Roger Oxford, Senior Vice President of New Construction at Hearth & Home Technologies. "But today's natural-gas and propane fireplaces and fire pits give you the allure of a campfire with a clean burn." They also eliminate the chores of chopping and hauling firewood, tending a fire and cleaning up ashes afterward: outdoor gas fireplaces operate at the touch of a switch. You can even order an unfinished fireplace and customize it with stucco, tile, brick, or stone that complement the design of your home. <strong>Grilling Goes Upscale</strong> According to the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association, 60 percent of people who cook outdoors do so all year long, no matter the weather. To satisfy these al fresco gourmets, gas grills now rival the highest-end stoves, with stainless-steel construction, convection cooking systems, movable burners and temperature controls. These grills offer the perfect centerpieces for complete outdoor kitchens with islands that provide plenty of counter space, cupboards, and even refrigerators and plumbed sinks. Outdoor kitchens centered around powerful gas grills offer several advantages. Perhaps the most important is that the cook gets to spend more time with family and friends, since there's no running back and forth between an outdoor gathering and the kitchen. In addition, they provide a great way to spend family time away from the TV and other distractions. It's almost like taking a mini-getaway right in your own backyard. <strong>Outdoor Fire Tips</strong> Keep the following tips in mind when considering or using an outdoor fire: • Before installing an outdoor fireplace or fire pit, make sure to check the needed clearance from other combustibles • Keep a close eye on children and pets around any outdoor heat source • Check with your local fire department to make sure your outdoor fire meets city fire codes For more safety tips, or to see all the available options for maximizing your outdoor living space, consult your builder or your local fireplace retailer. </article> <article> <h1>In the Market for a Fireplace?</h1> <p>Administrator — Wed, 24 Aug 2005 20:05:00 GMT</p> If you're in the market for a fireplace, no doubt you're attracted by the hearth design and the beauty of the flames. But, don't let visions of dancing flames and creamy stone mantels dim your decision-making. Here are a few important elements to consider when shopping for a fireplace. <strong>1) Find a Full Hearth Solution Tested by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) </strong> UL has been testing products for public safety for more than a century. Their standards are essential to ensuring safety, reducing costs and improving quality. Make sure your hearth is tested to UL standards. It's important that mantel clearances are deemed safe. Stains and lacquers should be heat-resistant. This ensures that they will not melt or bubble from the heat. A hearth system with a UL listing means that every component - from the fireplace to venting system to termination cap - is a perfect fit and is 100% compatible. You'll have the security of knowing your hearth system has been approved by the United States' most reputable safety organization. Don't buy a fireplace without the UL listing! <strong>2) Purchase a Brand Name </strong> When buying a fuel-burning appliance, it's smart to go with an established brand. Find a company that has built a reputation for quality products and expert craftsmanship. Look for brands with the following attributes: • Known for excellence, functionality and reliability • Have track records to prove their continued reliability • Have low service call rates • Tested to UL standards for safety assurance and installation confidence Keep in mind that buying a reputable brand will save you time and money down the road. <strong>3) Select a Fireplace that Suits Your Lifestyle </strong> Direct vent gas fireplaces look just like traditional fireplaces; however, they solve some of the problems of their woodburning forerunners. Direct vent fireplaces take advantage of zero-clearance technology, which means they don't need foundations or chimneys. They burn efficiently, extracting most of their heat from the combustion gases. And direct vent gas fireplaces expel 100% of the unwelcome combustion gases and moisture directly outside the home. Venting is usually out through a wall or roof. Direct vent fireplaces are also easier and less expensive to install than masonry units. And you have greater flexibility for the hearth's placement in your home. Unvented gas fireplaces, conversely, bring unwanted by-products into your home. During operation, they consume oxygen from the home and, in return, may create soot and strong combustion odors. There is also a risk of moisture build-up, which causes mold and mildew. Also, because of the burner's design, unvented fireplaces burn less authentic-looking fires. Even though codes in some parts of the country allow unvented fireplaces, the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission recommends choosing vented appliances whenever possible. Woodburning fireplace experiences evoke feelings of nostalgia for many homeowners with their unmistakable look, sound and smell. The design of today's woodburning fireplaces makes them more environmentally responsible than ever. Many models, like those in the Heatilator® Constitution™ line, comply with the strictest government air-quality regulations, and can even be used in communities that have imposed bans on conventional woodburning fireplaces. Electric fireplaces offer the ultimate in convenience and flexibility. You can enjoy a fire at the touch of a switch in any room you'd like. There's also no need for a chimney, venting, or gas line – simply plug it in! Minimal installation also means instant gratification. Take it home and enjoy the warming glow of an electric fireplace the same day. <strong>4) Consider an Ongoing Maintenance Plan </strong> Most of us don't realize that gas fireplaces need annual tune-ups, just like other gas appliances. Manufacturers recommend that your fireplace be inspected and maintained annually by a qualified service technician. This ensures your appliance's continued safe and efficient operation. Technicians can perform a comprehensive inspection of your appliance and advise you of any necessary repairs. <br />Fireside Hearth & Home, America's leading hearth retailer, offers an innovative maintenance plan that is ideal for homeowners. The plan involves visiting your home each year to: • Clean the pilot assembly and glass • Check venting and drafting • Vacuum the firebox and burner • Test for any gas leaks and carbon monoxide • Touch up painted surfaces to make your fireplace look fresh Hassle-free is the buzzword for today's fireplace enjoyment. Think about purchasing a service plan from your dealer when you buy your fireplace. Then you can sit back, relax and enjoy the fire. </article> <article> <h1>Tips For Getting Your Fireplace Ready</h1> <p>Administrator — Tue, 23 Aug 2005 20:04:00 GMT</p> With cooler weather upon us, Fireside Hearth & Home, the nation's largest hearth retailer, urges homeowners to get their fireplace ready for the heating season. By having a professional service the fireplace annually and taking a few proactive steps on their own, homeowners can ensure greater heating efficiency and safety, as well as prolong the life of the unit. Many homeowners mistakenly believe their fireplace does not require any maintenance. The fact is all fireplace types from wood to gas to electric should undergo annual maintenance. For example, gas fireplaces need the fan, pilots and burners checked each year. And wood fireplaces require an inspection and chimney cleaning to remove creosote, which can build up and cause chimney fires. Homeowners should also check the chimney or vent before the season's first fire to see if birds or animals have built nests in it, or if leaves or other debris have accumulated. At a minimum, homeowners should also install a carbon-monoxide alarm in the same room as the fireplace and another one near the bedrooms. Homeowners can handle much of the day-to-day maintenance however, most tasks are better left to a professional. Here are some tips for getting the fireplace ready and keeping it in tip top shape this winter: <strong>Woodburning fireplaces </strong> • Clean out the firebox at least every week when using the fireplace regularly, but leave an inch of ash in the bottom to act as insulation. NOTE: Never use a vacuum to clean out the firebox as coals can stay hot for several days after extinguishing a fire. • Before removing ash, open the damper so loose ash is drawn up the chimney rather than out into the room. • Remove all ash during the months the fireplace is not in use. • Burn only seasoned or hard wood in the fireplace. This will help minimize creosote buildup in the chimney. Burning small, controlled, hot fires rather than smoldering fires will also help keep creosote under control. <strong>Gas fireplaces </strong> • Vacuum the firebox and heat exchanger regularly (only when the fireplace is cold, of course) to keep efficiency and air quality high. • Consult a professional to clean the pilot assembly, purge trapped air from the gas supply line, and then test-fire the fireplace. • Use only a soft brush to remove dust or spider webs from gas logs since they can be fragile. Make sure to position logs properly after cleaning to avoid sooting. • Use glass cleaner made especially for gas fireplaces to clean the glass front &ndash never use oven cleaner or abrasives. <strong>Electric fireplaces </strong> • Clean the firebox and control compartment with a brush and vacuum. • Never use glass cleaner to clean the back of the glass, use only mild soap and water. Remove dust particles from glass by simply buffing lightly with a clean, dry cloth. • Replace the light bulbs about every two to three years or when the flame and/or ember bed is dark on one side. • Follow the manufacturer's instructions or consult a professional on cleaning the heater system to extend the fan's life. </article> </main></body></html>