The Wood Fireplace Insert Blog

The problem with traditional brick fireplaces is most of the heat goes up the chimney.  Have you ever had a roaring fire in the fireplace and wondered why the room is freezing?   The fireplace is actually working against you.  The heat radiates a few feet into the room, and then gets sucked back into the fireplace. 

A fireplace does not control the burn. The only control is based on the wood that is put in the fireplace.  Because of this an open fireplace burns harder and faster and Seventy-five percent or more of the heat is lost up the chimney

The beauty of a wood fireplace insert is that it makes an existing fireplace much more efficient.

Installing a wood fireplace insert makes a good investment.  Depending on the size and type a fireplace insert can cost from $1,200 for a small basic model to $3,500 for a large, top-of-the-line insert before installation.

A wood fireplace insert is an insulated, closed-door system which gives you more control over the combustion process. Heat is radiated through the glass and stays in the room rather than being sucked up the flue.

A fireplace insert not only increases the efficiency of a fireplace but it also helps protect air quality by reducing emissions and provides multiple fuel options (such as wood, pellet, coal, corn, natural gas and propane) that are cost efficient. 

A wood-burning insert, provides a much cleaner and complete burn than an open fireplace.  When wood is burned in a regular fireplace, 150 grams or more unburned particulate matter is released into the air, whereas a wood-burning insert releases only 3 or 4 grams per hour.

In a closed-door system the smoke becomes another fuel and is burned in secondary combustion which increases the efficiency. It improves the air quality while increasing the heat in the home.

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For those who depend on a fireplace to supplement their home heating a pellet burning fireplace insert should be a serious consideration. Pellet burning fireplace inserts are much like pellet stoves in the way they work and in their heating performance, but they are built so that they can be installed right into the firebox area of an existing fireplace.

Pellet inserts burn wood pellets that are made from wood waste materials that are left over from other manufacturing processes using wood.  These wood chips, saw dust, etc. are compressed to the point that they will stay in the pellet form. 

Compressing the material into pellets makes for a very handy way to deal with this fuel source because they can be easily poured into the pellet insert and they are easy to package and transport.  Pellets can be transported in bulk trucks or in bags that are convenient for home owners to purchase and transport.  They can also be easily stacked for storage.

Pellet inserts are among the cleanest burning heating fixtures on the market.  They are extremely efficient and very environmentally friendly.  Regular wood burning inserts have to be designed to meet EPA standards to be certified but because pellet inserts create such minimal pollution they do not even require EPA certification.  You may see EPA certifications on some model because the manufacturer voluntarily applied for it, but it is not required for pellet burning inserts.

Other differences between pellet burning inserts and regular wood inserts are that most pellet burning inserts require electrical power to run the pellet feeder mechanism and the fan(s).  Another difference is the way they can be vented.  Regular wood burning inserts usually need a chimney to vent smoke and gases whereas many pellet inserts can be vented right through a wall. 

Another feature that is often included in a pellet insert is a thermostat control that monitors the heat coming from the insert and adjusts air flow and pellet feeding to raise and lower temperatures as needed to maintain the desired room temperature.

There are many models and designs of pellet inserts on the market to choose from so you may want to compare features as well as appearance when it comes to installing a pellet burning fireplace insert.

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Some people suffer from breathing problems in the winter time.  Some if these problems are caused by smoke from wood burning fireplaces.  It doesn’t have to be this way.  Old fashioned conventional fireplaces can put out a lot of smoke, especially if one is not careful about what is being burned.  Green wood can put out a lot of smoke as can wet wood.  A fire that has a poor draw will tend to smolder and put out a lot of smoke. Burning trash can also produce smoke and toxic gas, depending on what it being burned.

If you have a conventional fireplace you should seriously consider installing an EPA Certified fireplace insert. If not for yourself, do it for your neighbors.  An EEPA Certified fireplace insert can cut the emissions coming from your chimney by as much as ninety percent or more to the point where you will hardly see any smoke coming from the chimney.  In some areas there are actually codes that require smoke coming from a chimney not exceed a certain amount of opacity (density).  A fireplace insert can help you achieve this.

The new EPA Certified fireplace inserts create a dual burning process that not only helps the wood burn at the best temperature and rate of burn to burn most efficiently, but it also re-burns the smoke and gas coming from the fire so that most of the smoke and emissions are consumed by the fire, leaving less to come out of your chimney and in fact consuming less wood over time because of the slower more efficient burn.  Converting to a certified insert makes good sense for everyone, especially if you live in an area where air quality is a regular problem.

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Many of the new fireplace inserts are designed to burn fireplace pellets.  But what is a fireplace pellet?  A fireplace pellet is a wood pellet that is typically made from waste materials such as chips, wood pieces and sawdust. These materials are ground up and compressed until they make a pellet of highly compact material.  A fireplace pellet is more dense then typical wood and therefore burns longer and gives off more heat.  Because they are manufactured under controlled conditions the moisture content in a wood pellet can also be kept very low which improves their burning efficiency and reduces emissions.

At the pellet manufacturing facilities the wood debris and sawdust are milled into dough that is pressed through the holes of a die.  The pressure raises the heat of the material to the point that the lignin in the wood forms natural glue that holds the pellet together.

Another advantage of using pellets is their consistent size makes them flow well and makes it easy to control an automatic feeding system which will feed the pellets into the fireplace as they are needed.  That way you can load up the holding area of the fireplace and let it feed the pellets as needed.  It also makes things easier for the manufacturer to package them and haul them in bags or other containers.  Some people even set up a holding bin next to their house that can be loaded by a truck and have an auger or belt system that moves the pellets automatically into the fireplace or stove to be burned.

The use of a fireplace pellet system is becoming more wide spread.  Even in Europe the popularity is growing as using wood pellets for heating homes is quickly becoming a way to save money on heating costs.  In the U.K. it is estimated that customers are reducing heating costs by as much as 50%.  

It is no wonder that their popularity has increased.  They are less expensive, easy to transport and use and create a highly controllable heat source that has very low emissions.  One must applaud the person who came up with the idea for the wood pellet.

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There are many different fireplace wood inserts made by different manufacturers.  Fireplace wood inserts fit right into an existing traditional fireplace and can normally be vented up the existing chimney, although there are some adjustments that have to be made.

These fireplace wood inserts tend to work better than gas inserts or electric inserts when it comes to creating heat because they burn a lot hotter.  With the new designs mandated by the EPA they not only create more heat but they are much more efficient in the way they use that heat and they create less pollution.

Fireplace wood inserts have a double combustion system.  The first burns the wood under controlled levels so that it burns slower and more completely, leaving only a small amount of white ash.   Because the wood burns slower, you will have less wood to buy or chop and you won’t have to load the insert up as often. 

The second combustion system that wood inserts use burns the smoke and other gases that were not burned with the wood.  This creates additional useable heat and reduces the overall amount of emissions that are released into the air making wood inserts very environmentally friendly as well as economical.

Because wood inserts burn hotter than a regular fireplace or gas inserts there are some adjustments that have to be made to vent them properly.

Wood burning inserts need to have a positive connection between the first section of the flue liner and the outlet from the insert itself. This lets the smoke and gases that are still unburned go up the chimney in a more direct route, minimizing the amount of combustible deposits that can condense in the fireplace.

An even better idea when installing a wood insert in a fireplace is fully relining the chimney.  This approach works better because the smaller sized pipe provides a better draft and increases the margin of safety.

Completely relining the chimney with a stainless steel pipe that connects directly to the insert and goes all the way to the top of the chimney can also make the maintenance easier because you can avoid the necessity of removing the insert when it is time to clean the chimney.  Most fireplace wood inserts are heavy and difficult to move so this can be a real time and back saver.

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A wood burning fireplace insert can be a great way to save money on your heating bill and provides for a cozy atmosphere as well.  But your insert is only as good as the fuel you put in it and using good fireplace insert wood is the key to getting the best efficiency and heat from your fireplace insert.

Qualities of Good Fireplace Insert Wood

Good fireplace insert wood will, first and foremost, be dry wood.  Burning wet wood in your fireplace insert will cause several problems.  First, there will be more smoke because the heat will not be high enough to burn as much of the smoke and gases as it normally wood if the fireplace insert wood was dry.  This will cause creosote to build up on your chimney faster.

The evaporation that takes place in the process of the wood burning actually reduces the heat of the fire.  More smoke also means more emmissions which will lower the air quality.  Wood that has a moisture content below 15-20% will burn the hottest and therefore the most efficiently and smoke free.  If you are collecting your own wood you will want to season it for at least a year to get the moisture content down.  That means planning ahead to get your wood ahead of time.

The best wood will also be untreated and free from compounds that could be toxic, such as wood stains, paint, or pesticides.  Avoid using scrap wood or landscaping wood that may have been treated with creosote or other substances that can become toxic when airborne.  Clean untreated logs make the best wood for your fireplace insert.

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Wood burning inserts vary from maker to maker and model to model so it’s hard to generalize about service and maintenance of different wood burning inserts, but here are a few suggestions for keeping inserts working the way they are meant to.  Obviously you will want to consult the insert owner’s manual if possible.

Test the seal on the insert’s door with a piece of paper by opening the door (when the insert is cold, of course) place the paper across the gasketed area and close door on the paper. When you try to remove the paper it should not pull out easily. If there is an area where the paper comes out easily the door seal needs attention.

Some wood burning inserts allow you to simply adjust the door latch. If the door can’t be adjusted, or if adjusting it doesn’t help, you will probably have to replace the door gasket(s).

If you are in doubt about the size and density of gasket to use, remove the door and take it to a store that carries parts for inserts to test a variety of wood burning insert gaskets. The gasket can be cut to length from a reel or packaged by the manufacturer in a kit for most inserts.  The cement to hold the gasket in place is often included in kits.  If it is not included, you can by a small container of it or use silicone sealant that comes in a caulking tube.

To install the gasket in wood burning inserts, remove the door and place it on something to prevent scratching the finish. Pull out the old gasket; on some inserts you’ll have to take apart the door to get the gasket out. Clean the gasket groove with a screwdriver to remove old cement.  Then clean the groove more thoroughly with course steel wool to get a good clean surface for the cement to stick to.

Apply a narrow bead of cement or silicone (usually 1/4″ to 1/2″ wide, depending on gasket size) along the entire groove.  Lay the gasket in the groove and avoid stretching or bunching it, starting on a long straight part of the groove. Cut the gasket slightly long so that the ends can be tucked into each other forming a good seal and press the gasket into the cement.

Mount the door and test the seal. When lightly slamming the door of the wood burning insert you should hear the muffled sound of the gasket, rather than metal, hitting the stove body. Then test the seal again with the paper.

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The problem with an ordinary conventional fireplace is the fact that it pulls air from inside the house and sends it up the chimney creating a draft in the house and pulling more cold air into the house. 

If you like your fireplace but don’t like the draft and the increased burden on your furnace, a wood burning fireplace insert may be the answer. A wood burning firplace insert uses the same technological improvements of wood stoves but fits into a conventional open fireplace. Like wood stoves, new wood burning fireplace inserts must be certified by the EPA. 

These new inserts that are made from plate steel or cast iron are clean burning and highly efficient.  They are built with glass doors to allow for a view of the flames. They fit right into the opening of and existing fireplace, with some models protruding onto the hearth. These inserts which extend out may be more efficient because the sides, top, and bottom provide for the release of additional radiant heat.

Fireplace inserts typically have blowers, which improve efficiency and heat circulation, mounted in the front or along the sides of the insert. Depending on the system the blowers may be controlled manually or automatically by a thermostat.

Installation of a Wood Burning Firplace Insert

Wood inserts must have a positive connection between the outlet and the first section of the flue liner. This allows the smoke and any unburned gases to go up the chimney more directly and minimizes combustible deposits that can condense in the fireplace. A full relining of the chimney is an even better choice since the smaller pipe size  provides a better draft and an added margin of safety.

If you install a full relining system, a stainless steel pipe that connects to the insert and goes to the top of the chimney you can avoid the need to remove the insert to clean the chimney.  Since most fireplace inserts are heavy and difficult to move this can be a real benefit.

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A catalytic combustor is a ceramic honeycombed device coated with a noble metal such as palladium. It causes the smoke from the fire to be burned rather than allowing it to go up the chimney unused.  Although there are various sizes and shapes, the most common cataltyic combustor is circular in shape, measuring around 5-6 inches in diameter and 2 inches thick.

As long as a fire is burning at a temperature above 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit the gases given off by the wood will burn too. However, if the fire is turned down and the temperature is below 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit, the gases will not burn. This is where the catalytic combustor comes in.  When the gases pass through the combustor, the metal acts as a catalyst causing the gases to burn at temperatures as low as 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

The catalytic combustor slows down the burning process in the stove so that the wood is slowly “Cooked” as opposed to being burnt which results in total combustion with virtually no waste. Coals and ash are reduced to a fine white powder.  The increased heat output while using less wood to heat your home creates a huge savings in time and money.

This increases the efficiency of the stove or insert by 10 percent, reduces creosote production by 20-90% and decreases air pollution by as much as 75%.

Catalytic Combustor Maintainence

By keeping your catalytic combustor operating properly you can add to the wood stoves efficiency. To maintain your catalytic combustor remove and clean it periodically using a shop vacuum to get the light coating of ashes that can accumulate on the surface. If the ceramic cells are clogged you can clear them using a pipe cleaner.

Just like your cars catalytic converter, a catalytic combustor has to be replaced periodically.  Once is starts to crumble it should be replaced. Used properly they will last 10,000 to 12,000 operating hours.  If a combuster is contaminated with foreign materials the operating capabilities will be reduced. To avoid contaminating the catalytic combuster you should burn only natural seasoned wood. Avoid burning trash, colored magazines, coal, paper logs, treated wood, painted wood and lighter fluid.

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Be sure you are taking the proper precautions when installing and maintaining a wood fireplace insert or stove. The Midwest Chimney Safety Council issued a warning to its members recently to be prepared for the busiest fall season in decades. “Chimney sweeps will likely not be able to keep up with the demand for cleaning, inspection, and installation services,” said Kirk Scott, President of the MCSC. “There are only so many qualified chimney sweeps to go around, and we don’t have enough to serve the public.” Chimney sweeps are already reporting that their busy season, which usually starts September 1, started in mid-July this year.

As consumers turn to alternative methods of heating such as wood stoves, wood-burning fireplace inserts, and wood-burning furnaces may attempt to do the installation or service work themselves. “One of the biggest mistakes is not installing a properly sized flue liner with a fireplace insert,” says Marge Padgitt, Educational Director for the MCSC. “If the liner is too large it can cause excessive flammable creosote accumulation, which can lead to a chimney fire.”

Most house fires related to heating appliances are due to improper installation and maintenance, so consumers are encouraged to wait until a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep can inspect and sweep the chimney rather than doing it themselves or hiring an unqualified chimney company.

Fireplace flues should typically be inspected and cleaned annually. Wood stoves or inserts used for heating should be inspected and cleaned at least twice during the wood-burning season. Some manufacturers recommend sweeping the chimney once per month so check your owners manual for details. Furnace/hot water heater flues should be inspected annually for clogs by debris or nests, or breaks or gaps in the flue liner that could pose a Carbon Monoxide hazard.

Visit the MCSC website at http//www.mcsc-net.org Midwest Chimney Safety Council for free consumer information.

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