381-8 Old Riverhead Road

Westhampton Beach, NY

Tel. 631-998-0780

Hours: Tues. - Thur. 9am to 3pm / Fri. 9am to 12pm (or by appt.) / Sat. - Mon. Closed

Our Company Blog

Advantages Of Pellet Stoves In Winter

In an industry where appliances are constantly changing and improving, it seems ironic that the fuels used for home heating remain basic: oil, gas, and wood. While oil and gas burn a certain way in their own respective appliances, wood is slightly more versatile.

Advantages of Pellet Stoves In Winter - Westhampton Beach NY - Beach Stove & FireplaceWood is burned in both fireplaces and stoves with high heat output, and is a popular option because of its availability and affordability. A downside to wood-burning, however, is that the fire isn’t consistent. Because of the difference in wood-type, size, and dryness, the heat-output can fluctuate. Also, the fire lulls while the homeowner is asleep or out of the house. Finally, not everyone has access to cord wood, but would still like to use wood. There is an option for you.

Manufactured Pellets

If you prefer wood as a heating fuel, you can use wood pellets. These are small, dense, wood-like pellets manufactured from sawdust and other wood waste from the lumber industry. Pellets are a “green” option for your heat system, because it puts this wood to use instead of wasting it. Also the sawdust is still organic, and burns the same as cord wood—even better, in fact.

How it Works

A pellet stove often looks just like a standard wood stove, except the pellets feed into the fire chamber by way of a hopper. The rate at which the pellets are fed into the fire is adjustable by the homeowner. This means you can fill the hopper and go to sleep, and you will still have a toasty warm fire in the morning.

Advantages of Pellet Stoves

These stoves are simple to operate, and because you don’t have to open and close the fire chamber to add cord wood, you experience less mess, less smoke, ash, and wood pieces in your living space. A factor for many homeowners is the steady burn that allows for consistent heat over a long period of time. Between fueling, pellet stoves typically burn steadily for 24-36 hours. They can also be vented directly through the wall because they burn so clean and have such little emission. This means you can choose a pellet stove if your chimney is not available to use; a certified chimney sweep can vent it properly without one. Finally, pellet stoves are available as freestanding, hearth, or insert stoves, so no matter your home decor, your layout, or your accessibility to a chimney or nearness to walls, you can take advantage of a pellet appliance.

Installing Your Stove Before Winter

If you’re interested in the benefits of a pellet stove, you can enjoy one this winter! Beach Stove and Fireplace offers a variety of pellet options and installs and services them. Our team of certified chimney sweeps are experienced and professional, and ready to help you choose the best pellet appliance for your home this winter, and install it at your earliest convenience.

Call Beach Stove and Fireplace today at 631-998-0780 or request an appointment online to choose your pellet stove.

By Julie Dismore on November 3rd, 2016 | Tagged with: Tags: , , | Comments Off on Advantages Of Pellet Stoves In Winter

All About Pellet Stoves

As fuel costs rise and fall, many homeowners are uncertain about the best ways to heat their homes. With so many options including natural gas, electric and traditional wood-burning appliances like fireplaces and stoves it is no wonder consumers are overwhelmed by their choices. Couple the variety of choices with the growing desire of environmentally friendly choices and it is no surprise that pellet stoves are becoming more popular.

pellet-stove-wood-image-westhampton-beach-ny-beach-stove-and-fireplace

How Do Pellet Stoves Work?

Rather than burning wood, pellet stoves burn pellets made of compressed sawdust and other unusable particles of wood. The stoves are easily lit and designed to burn freely, without the maintenance of traditional wood stoves. The stove is automatically and steadily fed pellets with little adjustment from the homeowner/operator. Simply pour pellets into a hopper and an electrical element pushes them into a firebox where the pellets are burned. A fan feeds the flame and blows the newly heated air throughout the house.

Benefits Of Pellet Stoves

There are many benefits to investing in a pellet stove. For starters, many homeowners prefer to heat their homes with pellets because they are affordable. Rather than wood that needs to be harvested, chopped and/or purchased, pellets are easily obtained at many supply stores. Additionally, pellet stoves are steadily fed pellets so these types of stoves don’t need to be tended to like traditional fireplaces or other wood-burning appliances.

Beyond convenience, pellet stoves are very efficient. In fact, pellet stoves are built to control the fuel-to-air ratio, so fires burn evenly and last longer. Additionally, because of the automatic feed system, you won’t waste pellets but will instead burn an even fire that maximizes heat output.

Environmental Benefits Of Pellet Stoves

Beyond the convenience and efficiency of pellet stoves there are several environmental benefits to investing in this type of heat. Pellets are made from wood, a renewable material. However, pellets differ from traditional wood-burning appliances because they burn the leftover materials builders can’t use such as sawdust and scraps. By using the parts of a renewable source that are typically wasted, pellet stoves are one of the more environmentally friendly heating options available on the market. Pellets are also considered a clean-burning source of heat, which emits less toxins and carbon monoxide into the environment.

Other Benefits Of Pellet Stoves

  • Pellet stoves have an attractive, sleek appearance
  • Choose from cast iron, stainless steel and other durable, attractive metals
  • Maximize heat output without taking up a lot of space
  • Low smoke output while burning
  • Once installed, pellet stoves are affordable to maintain
  • No chopping wood
  • Wood is difficult to come by in many regions

As with any new heating appliance, you want to purchase from a reputable stove specialist. The experts at Beach Stove & Fireplace in Westhampton Beach, NY have a variety of pellet stoves and inserts you can choose from. Beyond superior products we can also help you install your new pellet stove correctly. Invest in the very best when choosing a pellet stove that will save you money and efficiently heat your home.

By Julie Dismore on March 25th, 2015 | Tagged with: Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on All About Pellet Stoves

Alternative Heating Choices For Every Home

As a homeowner you have plenty of choices when it comes to how to heat your home. Homeowners make decisions based on cost, environmental footprint and ease of installation. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the choices you have as far as heating your home, here is a basic guide to several alternative ways to heat your home.

alternative-heating-options-for-home-image-westhampton-beach-ny-beach-stove-and-fireplace

Solar

Solar is a leader in energy production and can provide up to 80% of a home’s basic heating needs just by soaking up the sun’s energy. However, solar is expensive and if you don’t live in an area that is lucky enough to experience a lot of sun then your solar system may not be as efficient as you hoped, making your investment unwise. Before you invest in a complete, active solar heating system do plenty of research.

Pellet Stoves

Pellet stoves burn compressed wood that’s been made into small pieces or pellets. Pellet stoves are growing in popularity because they require little maintenance. The pellets are long burning and don’t need a lot of control or maintenance once they are lit. Pellets are clean burning and when cleaned properly your pellet stove will not produce creosote (harmful residue left behind in many chimneys). After installation, pellet stoves are a viable and affordable way to heat most homes.

Wood Burning Stoves

Wood burners are a classic way to heat your home, and also create a luxurious and comforting atmosphere in your house. The benefits of a wood-burning fireplace include an affordable way to heat your home (assuming you have access to quality wood at a reasonable price) and the ability to choose the style, look and feel of your fireplace. Choose from standard designs or renaissance/detailed fireplaces to completely customize the look of your home.

High-Efficiency Wood Burning Fireplaces

If you love the look of a wood-burning fireplace but are interested in something a little more efficient, a high-efficiency wood fireplace could be the perfect choice. Unlike traditional fireplaces, these act more like wood-burning stoves and provide maximum heat output, low emissions and the capability to heat an entire home.

Gas Heating Stoves

Another interesting choice is the gas-heating stove. This alternative to a fireplace is a stand-alone unit, and appropriate in spaces where a fireplace may not fit. Attractive, gas stoves put out the same warm glow of a traditional fireplace without the installation overhaul (though some installation requirements should be considered. Small and compact, these stoves are a great option if you’re looking for an alternative heating choice.

When you’re researching heating options for your home, it’s important to consider all the options and weigh the pros and cons of every choice. Consider what’s important to you when researching heating choices.

Are You Looking For Heat That Is:

  • Efficient?
  • Affordable?
  • Requires Little Maintenance?
  • Is Attractive Inside The Home?
  • Is Safe?
  • Is A Viable Choice Where you live?

Beach Stove and Fireplace is happy to give you a professional consultation so you can begin your research with experts you can trust. Browse our products and ask us questions about all our heating options. We’re here to help you heat your home.

By Julie Dismore on February 8th, 2015 | Tagged with: Tags: , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Alternative Heating Choices For Every Home

Reasons to Avoid Vent Free Gas Products

As the most recent fireplace fad, vent free gas logs have drawn a lot of interest based on their high burning efficiency of up to 99 percent. Companies also emphasize the ability to burn these logs with the flue closed, which only further entices consumers. These impressive features make this product seem like an obvious choice, but in reality, vent free gas logs actually pose some serious hazards.

vented-vs-vent-free-gas-appliances-image-westhampton-beach-ny-beach-stove-and-fireplace

Vent free gas products use natural gas as fuel and require no ventilation. Rather than utilizing the air flow up through the chimney, or the draft, of a traditional fireplace, vent free fires consume the oxygen in the house. Designed specifically to burn without any type of venting, these logs should not be substituted with any other types of logs for use in a vent free system.

Any time combustion occurs, imperfect burning always results in the production of some type of waste. Even though the vent free gas logs boast a nearly perfect efficiency, they can still leave up to eight percent of the fuel incompletely burned. This incomplete burning produces harmful waste materials, such as carbon monoxide. Fatal in high enough concentrations, the inhalation of carbon monoxide and other fumes is a real threat when using vent free products because the system offers no escape for these gases. In fact, there have been reported claims of aggravated asthma, allergies and other respiratory issues by people living in homes that use vent free gas logs.

In addition to harmful gases, vent free units also produce excessive amounts of water vapor. All types of fires produce water vapor, but because the vent free systems offer no escape, the vapor ends up condensing inside the house. This is evidenced by moisture on walls, floors, and furniture, which can also lead to a variety of problems. Water damage can ruin the walls and furniture, and the home will become uncomfortable humid. Mold growth throughout the house also becomes a valid concern.

For all the claimed efficiency, vent free gas logs cannot be relied on as a source of heat. Marketers promise the production of a lot of heat, but they fail to mention that the vent free units should not stay on for more than a few hours at a time. Burning for lengths of time beyond this recommendation can lead to a depletion of oxygen levels, an increase in toxic fumes, and an increase in humidity.

Another issue is in newer houses, where the airtight build can cause interference with the combustion process. When the house is sealed tight, air cannot enter quickly enough to provide the amount of oxygen needed for the fire to burn and this lack of oxygen will extinguish the fire. Some manufacturers suggest fixing this issue by opening a window, but this defeats the purpose of investing in a vent free system in the first place.

Vent free gas products might sound great in theory, but the problems heavily outweigh the benefits. Rather than investing money into a dangerous and unhealthy vent free unit, consider high efficiency traditional fireplace inserts or direct vent fireplaces. If you live in the area of Westhampton Beach, New York, contact Beach Stove and Fireplace for more information on fireplace options.

By Julie Dismore on December 29th, 2014 | Tagged with: Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Reasons to Avoid Vent Free Gas Products

Become More Energy Independent

This year has been comfortable in regards to the weather so far. The summer temperatures stayed relatively cool and the autumn felt unusually mild. For this reason, many homeowners have settled comfortably into the routine of saving money on heating and cooling costs. While this pattern has been enjoyable, the forecasted brutal winter is not likely to treat us so kindly. Thus, now is not the time to become complacent about fuel efficiency. In fact, with all the savings from this year, a smart move would to be to reinvest that extra money into a more fuel efficient fireplace. After a few seasons, you can expect an even greater return on your money once you become less dependent on fuel.

energy-independence-image-westhampton-beach-ny-beach-stove-and-fireplace

Gaining energy independence means you require less fuel to survive. When it comes to heating appliances, using less fuel does not have to mean wearing your insulated outdoor gear just to watch TV on the couch. Your home is your shelter, and you deserve to live comfortably in it, without struggling to pay the heating bill. Luckily, saving fuel costs in the winter is easier than ever with countless options on improving fuel efficiency.

One popular way to improve fuel efficiency is to replace an old, outdated traditional fireplace with a modern model. If knocking down a wall and constructing a custom fireplace from the ground up is not within your budget, you can consider investing in a fireplace insert. High efficiency inserts include styles like vent free and direct vent. The vent free model requires no ventilation, so heat does not escape out the chimney. The fuel efficiency can reach up to 99 percent, which is about as good as it gets. However, the direct vent systems keep the indoor air cleaner and less humid. Although the efficiency only reaches 77 percent, the direct vent unit still functions more efficiently than traditional fireplaces and can be used safely for longer periods of time than the vent free unit.

Another option that costs less than an insert is adding glass doors to the fireplace. This prevents the warm air in the house from escaping through the chimney, which is essentially equivalent to preventing cash from escaping through the chimney too. Have a professional install a fan system, as well, to force the heat created by the fire back into the room. This forced heat, in addition to radiant heat from the fire through the glass, requires a smaller fire. A smaller fire uses less fuel, which saves you money in the long run.

Also consider having a thermostat attached to your fireplace or wood stove. Gas powered appliances can be controlled hands-free using a thermostat, which can adjust the size of the fire based on the predetermined heat settings. Some homeowners have saved up to 75 percent on their fuel costs by utilizing this technology.

Invest those fuel savings into even more fuel savings in the future. A return on investment in just four seasons is worth the money. If you live in the Westhampton Beach, New York area, contact the experts at Beach Stove and Fireplace for a professional consultation.

By Julie Dismore on December 14th, 2014 | Tagged with: Tags: , , , , , | Comments Off on Become More Energy Independent

Don’t Let Cold Weather Force You Inside

Fall has officially set in, and in New York, that means most people are heading indoors. The wind now has a crisp edge to it, and while the colorful leaves make the outside look beautiful, it does not feel quite as beautiful. If you love being outside but tend to seek shelter when summer ends, you have some outdoor heating options to extend your outdoor season.

patio-heaters-westhampton-beach-ny-beach-stove

 

Heat up any outdoor area with an outdoor patio heater. They are available is a variety of sizes and heating styles to suit every type of outdoor space. The various styles of outdoor patio heaters include standing gas heaters, portable electric heaters and overhead infrared heaters.

Sometimes known as “umbrella” or “mushroom” heaters, standing gas heaters are great options to heat an outdoor space. The design of these heaters directs heat downward from a height or six to seven feet using a metal dome. Each unit can heat up to five feet out, meaning you have nearly 80 square feet of heated space with every heater. These heaters are generally powered by gas stored in a tank in the base of the unit. Best suited for medium to large outdoor spaces, these heaters do need considerable space from any combustible materials. Large residential patios and restaurant patios are common spaces for standing gas heaters.

You may instead opt to use a portable electric heater. Ideal for smaller spaces, these heaters heat up a space very quickly. They even produce a small amount of light, which could be an added bonus for your space. Electric heaters do not emit any gases, so they can be used in confined spaces like three-season rooms or other indoor/outdoor combination spaces, in addition to small outdoor patios.

A third option for heating an outdoor space is an overhead infrared heater. These heaters do not use of valuable floor space because they are generally installed on a wall or ceiling. In addition, the overhead set up lowers the risk of fires and burns because they are far out of reach. No visible light is produced by these heaters due to the invisible infrared energy used to heat the space. Overhead infrared heaters can be used in any type of space, from small backyards to massive outdoor banquets. They can keep you warm, even late into fall.

Anyone with an outdoor space can benefit from the addition of an outdoor heater. If you want to lengthen the use of your outdoor space by adding a heater, contact Beach Stove and Fireplace in Westhampton Beach, New York for more information. A specialist can help you choose the best type of heater for your outdoor space and you will never want to go back inside.

By Julie Dismore on October 15th, 2014 | Tagged with: Tags: , , , , , , | Comments Off on Don’t Let Cold Weather Force You Inside

Our Location

Beach Stove and Fireplace is located on Old Riverhead Road between Montauk Highway and Sunrise Highway. From Sunrise Highway take exit 63 south, travel 1.2 miles and turn right at the 381 complex (just north of Gabreski Airport)