| There are many conveniences to both free | | | | stoves so you must be certain that they will |
| standing wood stoves and fireplace inserts. The | | | | either fit with an existing chimney or a hole will be |
| option you select will depend on your current | | | | cut in your roof. |
| home and whether or not you currently have a | | | | A fireplace insert is very similar to a wood stove, |
| fireplace. | | | | except that they fit into your existing fireplace. |
| Free standing wood stoves sit on the floor of a | | | | Fireplaces look great, but they are a source of |
| room either on a stand or on four legs. These are | | | | heat loss. If you depend on your fireplace to heat |
| placed safely away from the wall, however, many | | | | your home, you may be better off with a |
| can be placed as close as eight inches to the wall | | | | fireplace insert, as they allow you to retain heat |
| without risk of fire. All new free standing wood | | | | instead of lose heat. The fireplace insert is a great |
| stoves are EPA certified and are now clean | | | | way to turn your fireplace into a heat source |
| burning. Older wood stoves were not as clean | | | | instead of causing air pollution in your home as |
| burning, which could cause air quality issues. These | | | | well. Fireplace inserts consists of two shells. The |
| stoves also have relatively high heating | | | | air flows between the two shells and is heated. |
| efficiencies. | | | | The heated air is then returned to the room |
| There are various styles of free standing wood | | | | instead of being lost up the chimney or into the |
| stoves available, ranging from a traditional, | | | | masonry structure. Fireplace inserts also feature a |
| country looking model to a sleek and stylish | | | | decorative fireplace that contains the actual |
| contemporary design. These stoves are made | | | | burning fire. Fireplace inserts have become more |
| from various types of metal including cast iron, | | | | efficient over the years as a way to heat your |
| sheet metal, plate steel or a combination. The | | | | home due to several changes. On important |
| appearance of these stoves is often cast iron, as | | | | change is that they now utilize full chimney liners |
| they are usually covered by an enamel to provide | | | | instead of a partial liner that fit into the chimney. |
| this look. They are also available in several | | | | The full liner is easier to clean and maintain, plus |
| different colors or can be covered in marble or | | | | less heat is lost from the insert. |
| porcelain. Stoves also may have glass doors that | | | | Whether you choose a fireplace insert or a free |
| allow you to see the flames so you get the feel | | | | standing stove depends on whether or not you |
| of a fireplace. Many new models utilize an infrared | | | | already have a fireplace. If you want to utilize |
| barrier on the door that reflects the heat back so | | | | your fireplace to the max, then a fireplace insert |
| heat is not lost through the door. Many wood | | | | will be your best option. If you do not have a |
| stoves come with various features including | | | | fireplace, then a free-standing stove would be a |
| thermostats that allow you to control the | | | | better choice. |
| temperature. You will require a chimney for these | | | | |