There's nothing quite like getting cozy in front of your fireplace. However, if you have a traditional masonry fireplace, you likely know that it pulls more heat from your home than it provides even with a glass door.  A fireplace insert prevents this effect, so learn more below to keep your home warmer all year round.

What Are Fireplace Inserts?

A fireplace insert is a sealed stove inserted inside an existing wood-burning masonry fireplace opening. Every insert has a sealed ceramic glass panel at the front of a steel body to prevent the heat of the home from entering the burn chamber and escaping up the chimney.

The air for burn comes down the chimney in one vent tube and the exhaust goes up another vent tube to the top of the chimney.  The room air is circulated in and around the burn chamber where it picks up the heat produced and returns it to the room heated. The face of the unit can also be designed with a variety of attractive styles and finishes to create the perfect match for your home decor.

What Are the Benefits?

A traditional fireplace includes the firebox opening, flue, surrounding masonry work, and chimney. This setup will create a circle of radiant heat in front of the hearth, but that warmth will be taken up the chimney with the draft of smoke from the fire. A fireplace insert is a self-contained combustion system that doesn't experience the same heat loss problems. It also doesn't exhaust more energy than it produces, with 60 to 80% of the heat produced maintained in the home these are rated as high efficiency furnaces.  Your new gas insert will provide heat for your home in a power out emergency without the fan.

When choosing a new insert look for a established company with experienced installers.  They will be responsible for running gas line and electrical into your firebox and running the liner system from the top of your chimney to connect to the firebox.  Ask about glass thickness and warranties on the components as an indication of quality.  Your installer will be responsible for servicing the product in the future so you should not use a subcontractor or independent unfamiliar with the operation of your unit.

To take advantage of the heat gain and convenience that fireplace inserts provide, contact Cricket on the Hearth Inc. Located in Rochester, NY, and serving homeowners throughout Monroe County since 1968, this family-owned company sells and installs hearth products by Mendota®, Kozy Heat®, and more top-quality brands. See pictures of their available appliances online, and call (585) 385-2420 with any questions you have.