You look at your living room and you think a fireplace would
look better than the crammed bookshelf does. You’re mostly reading on your
tablet lately and those books would be better off in the hands of someone who
actually reads them, rather than as dust collectors.
Scratching your head, you’re not sure whether you should go
the traditional route and add a chimney for a gas or wood fireplace or consider
vent-free fireplaces? One place to start is to contact the National Fireplace
Institute, a certification agency that is responsible for establishing
meaningful credentials for professionals involved in planning and installing
residential hearth appliances and venting systems.[1]
Installing a fireplace requires proper installation and
maintenance, so that you don’t experience air leaks and all the safety
guidelines are followed. A mistake can
prove very costly and can lead to an unintended disaster.
Gain a little know-how about combustion and various fuels
used in a fireplace or a freestanding stove in order to consider the best fit
for the room that you are considering. It’s also good to understand their
emissions. I found this article does a good job describing the mechanics of a
fireplace and explaining combustion in emissions in various vent and vent-free fireplaces.[2] To get a better understanding of the various
types of fuels, NFI provides a concise and comprehensive fact sheet.[3] Additionally,
they provide several fact sheets that I recommend looking at before contacting
a credential professional.[4]
Why? I think it’s very important to be an informed consumer to increase your
understanding of all the types of products you will need to consider to make
the best decision. You should also know what things may go bad if there is
incomplete combustion and compare the effects of each of the combustion
appliances on your indoor air quality and lungs.
There are a number of articles arguing the economic,
environmental and social benefits of each of the types of vented and vent-free
fireplaces you might want to read just to see the various perspectives on the
choices you face. Experts talk and consumers share. Here are some excellent
resources to look at.[5][6][7][8][9]
There are bio ethanol, gel, electric and wood and gas fueled combustion appliances
to consider. I think it’s a good idea to run some of these ideas by a NFI
credential professional, not just published experts weighing in on the issue. It’s
possible that new technologies exist that are worth exploring or, at least,
worth a deeper and longer review.
The EPA also has a helpful program called BurnWise so that
you can make an informed decision.[10]
Try to resist being too compulsive when considering all your
options.
[1] http://nficertified.org/pages_consumers/consumers-1.cfm
[2] http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/heating-and-cooling/fireplace.htm
[3] http://static.hpba.org/fileadmin/factsheets/product/FS_HearthProductFuels.pdf
[4] http://www.hpba.org/product-information
[5] http://www.bobvila.com/articles/2051-gas-fireplaces-101/pages/1
[6] http://www.greenerideal.com/lifestyle/0630-bio-ethanol-fireplaces-should-you-buy-one/
[7] http://www.energyvanguard.com/blog-building-science-HERS-BPI/bid/48762/Bob-Vila-and-the-Vent-Free-Gas-Fireplace-A-Sorry-State-of-Affairs
[8] http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/fireplaces-chimneys/fireplace-additions/
[9] http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/29/AR2006092900605.html
[10] http://www.epa.gov/burnwise/index.html
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