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Wood burning fireplace inserts are basically a wood stove designed to fit into a conventional open fireplace. Like wood stoves, new inserts must be EPA certified, making them clean burning and highly efficient. These wood burning fireplace inserts are usually made from plate steel or cast iron and have glass doors so you can see the flames. The wood burning fireplace inserts either fit in the opening of the fireplace or protrude onto the hearth. The latter position is more efficient because the sides, top, and bottom provide additional radiant heat. The inserts often have blowers, which can significantly improve efficiency. Blowers are usually mounted in the front or along the sides of the insert. Some blowers are controlled manually, while others are regulated by a thermostat. Fireplace blowers are designed to distribute the air from your fireplace throughout your entire home.
In the past, most installers placed the wood
burning fireplace inserts in the fireplace without any chimney
connections. This method, in some cases, allowed creosote
to build up inside the fireplace, presenting a potential fire
hazard. To prevent this, the National Fire Protection Association
(NFPA) now requires that inserts be installed with a positive
connection to the chimney. Wood burning fireplace inserts
must have a connector between the appliance outlet and the
first section of the flue liner. This sends the smoke and
gases up and out of the chimney more directly, minimizing
combustible deposits that condense in the fireplace. Inserts
are heavy, often weighing over 400 pounds. Since inserts need
to be removed when the chimney is being cleaned and maintained,
they can be awkward and heavy to handle. It is a job best
left to a professional chimney sweep. In some cases, however,
you do not have to remove the insert to clean the chimney.
The wood burning fireplace inserts can stay in place during
cleaning if you install a full relining collar, a stainless
steel pipe that connects to the insert and goes to the top
of the chimney. Good quality wood burning fireplace inserts
usually costs between £750 and £1000. This price
may be higher if you need to purchase accessories such as
a blower, glass door, or catalytic combustor.
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