Wood Burning Fireplaces Buying Guide

The look, smell and feel of a wood burning fireplace is irreplaceable, and can soothe the soul while generating a deep, penetrating and relaxing warmth within a home. And, thanks to more than a decade of research and development by the hearth industry, there are now wood burning fireplaces that offer benefits well beyond just ambiance. Some of these benefits are heat, convenience, energy independence, security and a cost-effective way to control energy bills, not to mention reduced emissions that can help people burn wood responsibly, which helps to protect winter air quality.

Three Types to Choose From

Adding a fireplace is an easy way to add value to a home and increase resale potential. To provide more options, the hearth industry offers three types of wood burning fireplaces: Traditional, Clean Burning and EPA-certified. A Traditional wood burning fireplace, whether masonry or factory-built, is the type presently found in many homes throughout North America and it is most frequently associated with the standard concept of a wood burning fireplace. The two newer, high-efficiency fireplaces, Clean Burning and EPA-certified (certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to produce less than 7.5 grams of particulates/hour), are more technologically advanced and offer more benefits to the user.

Choosing the Right Option

Because fireplaces are often the gathering place within a home, it's important to invest the time into choosing the right wood burning fireplace based on your expectations for its performance. If the fireplace needs to provide a substantial amount of heat, the best choices are Clean Burning or EPA-certified. These fireplaces are insulated, closed combustion systems (glass doors need to be closed to operate properly) that burn more efficiently and generate a substantial amount of heat. Due to the economics of firewood, these fireplaces are a fine choices in areas with frequent or sporadic power outages, or where the cost of home heating is an issue. In contrast, traditional fireplaces are open combustion systems (no glass doors needed for operation) and are ideal for occasional fires that produce ambiance, warmth and a little snap, crackle and pop!

Certified to Help Protect Air Quality

EPA-certified and Clean Burning fireplaces are designed to increase combustion efficiency and therefore cause less wood smoke emissions. In some areas where wood burning is regulated, either an EPA-certified or Clean Burning fireplace can be installed and burned all season long. In these types of areas, Traditional fireplaces can sometimes be installed but require that people take the personal responsibility to limit wood smoke emissions by using seasoned firewood or manufactured firelogs.

Selecting a Wood Fireplace

Much like any other appliance, it is important to spend the time to wisely choose a wood burning fireplace. Before you make your final decision, it is in your best interest to visit a specialty retailer in your area for expert advice. A specialty retailer is a trained wood burning fireplace expert. They can help determine what type of fireplace to purchase. They can also arrange for professional fireplace installation, as well as provide advice about available firewood. Specialty retailers are also the best source of information on how to correctly operate a wood burning fireplace and know what is required for proper maintenance.

Wood Burning Fireplace Checklist

Information to consider when selecting a wood burning fireplace:

Type

There are three types of wood burning fireplaces: Traditional, Clean Burning and EPA-certified. Traditional fireplaces can be either masonry or factory-built. EPA-certified fireplaces are constructed much like wood stoves and are factory-built, while Clean Burning fireplaces are either masonry or factory-built.

Size

Wood burning fireplaces can range from small to very large. Choosing a size is based on aesthetic interests, heat requirements and the sizes that are available in each type.

Style

The new breed of wood burning fireplaces includes many styles, including two, three and even four-sided fire views. There are arch-shaped fireplaces and one-panel glass doors that allow full fire views. The long list of finishing options includes a wide range of mantels and facings made from of stone, brick or tile.

Features

Wood burning fireplace features vary depending on the type of fireplace selected. Traditional fireplaces are available with glass doors (not necessary for operation), unique firebacks, and optional fans that circulate the warmth. Clean Burning and EPA-certified fireplaces come with large, self-cleaning glass doors, grates, heat circulation systems and ash dump access. Gas log lighters are also options with some wood burning fireplaces.

Location

A wood burning fireplace can be installed in most North American homes. In some locations there are air quality restrictions that dictate the need for Clean Burning or EPA-certified fireplaces. For all fireplaces, the most common installation location within a home is against an outside wall, although it is recommended that installation within the interior of a home, away from an outside wall, to improve draft and performance.

Venting

Wood burning fireplaces are naturally vented three feet above the roof of a house or a minimum of two feet above any point of the structure within a ten foot radius. Depending on the fireplace selected, this venting can occur through a stainless steel, or masonry Class A type all-fuel chimney system.

Installation

To ensure the safe and reliable installation of a wood burning fireplace, we recommend that everyone 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.

Maintenance

While wood burning fireplaces are very user-friendly and easy to operate, they do require some general routine maintenance. We recommend that fireplaces and chimneys be inspected on a yearly basis, and cleaned as necessary, by a chimney sweep certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America.

Fuel Requirements

The best fuel for wood fireplaces is firewood that has been split and dried for at least six months ("seasoned" firewood). Manufactured firelogs can be used instead of seasoned firewood and can reduce emissions by more than two-thirds (sawdust-only firelogs in all fireplaces and wax/sawdust firelogs in Traditional and Clean Burning only).

Average Cost

The price of the fireplace is only part of the total cost of owning a wood burning fireplace. Other additional costs include the price of the chimney, delivery, installation, annual fuel costs and maintenance.

Wood Burning Fireplace Benefits

• Offer ambiance or zone heat, depending on type chosen.
• Cost-effective control over heating costs.
• Provides heat during power outages.
• Use of a renewable fuel.
• Minimal emissions help protect the winter air quality.