Our Company Blog

New York State Residential Pellet Stove Incentive Program

Pellet stoves are the most efficient option for wood-burning heat, burning pellets, manufactured granules of recycled wood products. The manufacture of pellets cuts down on waste at saw mills and instead creates capital. Pellet stoves are often preferred not only for their benefits on the environment, but also the benefits they offer to the homeowners themselves.

• Convenient Use and Low Maintenance. 
  Pellet stoves are easily lit, fuel is easy to maintain, requiring no cutting or seasoning, and the stove keeps consistent heat. Each pellet stove is equipped with a hopper that feeds the fire consistently. This allows the fire to burn while the homeowners are asleep or away, never again coming home to a cold house.
• Higher Efficiency and Less Filth. 
  Because of the high heat and specially designed pellet fuel, pellet stoves burn their fuel completely. This means less soot, creosote, and particulate pollution that will need to be cleaned from your chimney system.

Renewable Heat

New York state encourages the use of renewable energy to produce heat rather than electricity or fossil fuels. This is done by using solar power instead, or wood combustion. Pellet stoves are a high-efficiency, low-emission wood heating system. This system is cleaner than traditional wood stoves and boilers. For this reason, New York state offers incentives for homeowners who choose pellet stoves, encouraging homeowners to Go Green.

Incentives

1. There are two incentive options for New York residents to benefit from this program. They are based on income and only available for primary residences without access to natural gas.
    $1500 toward the purchase of a new pellet stove with recycling of an existing stove (wood, pellet, or insert with firebox) in a primary residence household.
2. $2000 for households with income below 80 percent of county median. Plus an additional $500 for an additional recycled stove (wood, pellet, or insert with firebox).

Additionally, families may qualify for a low-interest loan to help pay for eligible project costs. See other program details and required forms, including the program application here.

Professional Installation

There are certain specifications for this program. This includes only pellet stoves with a particulate matter output of 2.0 grams per hour (PM 2.9 g/h) or less and be on the US EPA Certified Wood Heater list. Certified professionals are familiar with these requirements. Beach Stove sells these pellet stoves frequently, and our experts are more than salespeople. At Beach Stove and Fireplace we match our customers with the best product for their home, their need, and New York state green incentives. Then we refer customers to our installation partners, Guaranteed Chimney, certified chimney sweeps, and old fashioned, reliable service.

Guaranteed Chimney is one of only three participating contractors on Long Island, and operates throughout Eastern Suffolk County. When you purchase a pellet stove from Beach Stove and Fireplace, you can also benefit from the expert services of Guaranteed Chimney.

Call Beach Stove and Fireplace today at 631-998-0780 or visit our showroom at 381-1 Old Riverbed Rd, Westhampton Beach. Discuss the New York state residential pellet incentives with a professional! Showroom hours are:

Monday through Friday – 9am to 5pm
Saturday – 10am to 5pm

Add a Contemporary Gas Fireplace to Your Home This Winter

Winter is the time to think about a fireplace whether you have one or not. Maybe you just acquired a home or are looking to remodel or upgrade aspects of your decor. Is a fireplace something you’ve long-wondered about but not sure about the cost, the work, or the safety of an old chimney? Maybe you don’t have a chimney. Don’t let that stop you from your dream fireplace this winter.

Gas is the Contemporary New Choice

The gas fireplace produces a beautiful flame, realistic logs, and incomparable convenience. They are ready when you are, with no fuss over splitting and hauling wood, no need for ash shovels and buckets (unless you want them as decoration), no need to sweep up wood pieces at the end of the day. Gas fireplaces are easy to light, and even run through a power outage. With so many benefits it’s hard to decide against a gas fireplace! Learn more about gas fireplaces from the experts that train the experts, the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA).

The Versatile Design

When you choose a gas fireplace you have freedom to choose from a variety of styles, sizes, and face options. You can even give your existing fireplace a facelift by choosing a gas fireplace.

You can choose a fireplace that works for you when your chimney doesn’t. Many gas fireplaces don’t require a chimney, but an alternate vent can do the trick. You can even choose a gas log set that doesn’t require a vent at all, although the flame is blue. If you’re looking for the realistic yellow flame you need a vented fireplace.

Choose a Professional With the Know-How

When you choose a certified chimney sweep company that is experienced with gas products you can count on their advice from start to finish. At Beach Stove and Fireplace we don’t just install any old appliance. Safety is our first priority, but it’s also our goal to bring your dream fireplace into your home. Gas fireplaces offer endless contemporary options that will fit virtually any space in your home.

You don’t have to settle for what’s easy, because Beach Stove and Fireplace sells products that feature easy and seamless professional installation. When you choose the professionals with the know-how, you can focus on what you want out of your fireplace without worrying about the work. Let us take care of that.

To prepare for your consultation with Beach Stove and Fireplace, you can look at our product brochure. You just might find the fireplace of your dreams!

Call Beach Stove and Fireplace at 631-998-0780 today and discuss your contemporary gas fireplace with an expert. You can also request an appointment online for your convenience.

Gas Alternatives: Bioethanol Fuel Fireplaces and Burners

When you’re buying, building, or remodeling it’s important to decide early what type of fuel you’d like to burn in your fireplace. Most fireplaces and heat appliances use wood, gas, and electricity. If none of these types of fuel are right for you there is another option. Bioethanol fuel, or alcohol, is an effective, renewable, and clean fuel to heat your home. More and more homeowners are choosing bioethanol fireplaces for various reasons.

Bioethanol Burners are Convenient

Not only do they offer the same ambiance and real flame as a regular wood or gas fireplace, but bioethanol burners and fireplaces are extremely convenient for a homeowner. These appliances are easy to install, easy to use, and low-maintenance. Bioethanol appliances don’t require a chimney, so there isn’t any heavy-duty chimney restoration required. They actually don’t need to vent at all, so they’re easy to place, and to move if needed.

Bioethanol appliances burn alcohol, a liquid fuel made from agricultural byproducts. You simply pour it into the appliance and light it. There is nothing else required, short of monitoring your flame (because it is still a fire and should be treated as such). Bioethanol fuel is a welcome change for some homeowners who have spent winter after winter chopping and carrying wood. This super clean, organic fuel is not only easy to use, but it burns so clean it leaves almost no byproduct behind. There is no ash to clean up, no hazardous gases to vent. The appliance only releases a small amount of water and carbon dioxide after burning.

Bioethanol and Other Fuels are Not Created Equally

Bioethanol burners can be more convenient than gas or wood stoves, but it’s important to note that they have a lower heat output. They can save energy because of the efficiency of the fuel and the appliance. However, a bioethanol burner alone cannot heat a home. They should be used for space heating, or supplementary heating. Most homeowners use these fireplaces and burners for outdoor patios and inside fireplaces simply for the ambiance, since they offer a real flame.

Choosing Your Bioethanol Fireplace or Burner

When choosing your bioethanol fuel appliance, keep in mind that the price matters. At Beach Stove and Fireplace, we offer the best appliances from the top manufacturers in the industry. Don’t be fooled by low prices at the local home improvement store. These appliances are heating devices and should be professionally installed. By letting a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® (CCS) install your bioethanol fuel appliance, you are putting your family’s and your home’s safety first, because we put your safety first.

At Beach Stove and Fireplace we know the best product and are experienced in their installation and maintenance. We can also recommend the best product for your space, and offer great recommendations for decorative and modern models depending on your need.

Don’t let another winter pass before you switch to bioethanol fuel. Supplement your electric heat with this real-flame-fireplace, and experience the ambiance of a fireplace this winter. Call Beach Stove and Fireplace today.

What is a Gas Insert and Why You Want One

There are many reasons a homeowner might update a fireplace. It’s a good idea to weigh your options and choose the best appliance for your family and property.

Save Money with a Gas Insert

Gas inserts are a great heating option for a home with an existing chimney or not. A chimney is not required for direct vent gas inserts, as they can be vented elsewhere. These direct vent gas inserts do not draw from heated air in the home, but from an outside source. This sealed unit is 65-75% more efficient than a standard wood-burning fireplace.

Improve the Look of Your Home

Gas inserts are designed to beautify. If your property has a fireplace that needs a facelift or a chimney that is in disrepair, consider a gas insert. They come in a variety of styles and the insert is sized specifically for your space. You can also choose from a variety of faces and log designs.

A gas insert can revive even the most deteriorated masonry. The flame combined with the log display give you all the aesthetics of a wood fireplace, but with better efficiency.

Lower Safety Risk

Gas inserts are fueled by a natural gas line which connects with the unit, where gas is used at a specific rate, mixed with outside air, and directed to a burner to create or feed a flame. These specifications are predetermined by the manufacturer and the installer, so you don’t have to worry about it. They are low-maintenance and most can be operated hands-free.

Because they vent to the outside, these inserts are safe and lower the amount of byproduct that is released into the home. Wood furnaces, even pellet stoves, release particulate material into the home, raising the risk of respiratory issues for people with certain risk factors.

Call a Professional

Beach Stove and Fireplace makes each customer top priority. When we come in for an installation, update, inspection, or maintenance call our concern is the safety of your family and home, and the efficiency of your appliance. You wouldn’t take risks with your vehicle driving down the road because it’s dangerous. Don’t take risks with your gas insert because it can be dangerous, or fatal if installed incorrectly. Our installers are trained and experienced in all of our products’ installation and maintenance. Since there are a wide variety of styles, as well as venting options we work closely with the customer to insure satisfaction.

The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA)  implores homeowners to hire a professional. If the chimney is used to vent a direct vent gas insert, there are specific parameters to follow in order to keep the vapors flowing and the home safe. Using the chimney also requires annual safety inspections by a certified chimney sweep as well as alterations to flue size for best ventilation. For this reason many homeowners decide to vent in an alternate location, bypassing the chimney completely.

Regardless of the type of gas insert you envision for your home, or the manner in which you’d like to vent it, you should call a professional. Beach Stove and Fireplace has professionals standing by to walk you through the process from dream to reality, and we want your home to be everything you dream it can be.

To learn more about gas inserts or to begin the process to have yours installed, contact Beach Stove and Fireplace today.

Why Choose a Pellet Stove

Pellet stoves are an excellent option for your renovation or new home because they are suitable for small spaces, including apartments and condominiums as well as houses and cabins. They can work with an existing fireplace as long as it has been inspected and is safe. If you like the ambiance of a roaring fire but would like to avoid the hassle of cutting and splitting proper wood for burning you might consider a pellet stove for your home or business. Many homeowners prefer a pellet stove for the convenience they offer.

Convenience

Instead of burning standard split wood, pellet stoves burn manufactured pellets made of wood byproducts. It looks like any other wood stove, but usually requires electricity. Pellets are poured into a hopper and distributed into the flame at a steady rate, resulting in a continuous burn and comfortable temperature. Choosing a pellet stove as your primary home heating system is not a bad idea because they are highly efficient.

Efficiency

Pellet stoves that are certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are generally in the 70%-83% efficiency range. They burn hot, have a steady temperature because of the consistency of the pellet make-up, and have a clean burn. Pellet stoves are actually the cleanest solid fuel and can be a great alternative to wood stoves and fireplaces if family members suffer from chronic asthmatic symptoms. They are excellent in most spaces.

Versatility

Pellet stoves are manufactured as both free-standing stoves and fireplace inserts. Depending on your needs and your home design a free-standing stove might be a perfect fit for you, and it can even add to the home decor with the addition of a heat shield for nearby walls. A pellet insert is a great way to convert an existing fireplace. All that’s needed is a pipe for ventilation or a flue insert for the existing chimney.

Low-Maintenance

Standard wood stoves can cause a mess inside and outside the stove. Wood pieces in the carpet and accumulating on the floor can be a pain, as well as ash dust on shelves and in living spaces. Pellet stoves are less mess, with simple instructions for weekly maintenance. Homeowners should clean their pellet stove weekly, and have it professionally clean yearly. It’s a good idea to schedule this maintenance with your annual chimney inspection and to hire a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® (CCS) to do so.

Economical

Wood stoves in general are a great way to use valuable resources for home heating. Pellet stoves use wood byproducts (which decreases the waste from the lumber industry) and also have some of the lowest emissions of wood stoves on the market. Lower emissions means less particulate matter pollution in the air, and therefore, better for the environment.

If you’re ready to convert your fuel source, don’t forget about pellet stoves. Call Beach Stove and Fireplace today to learn the benefits a pellet stove can offer you.

Gas Logs F.A.Q.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gas Logs

At Beach Stove & Fireplace we find that gas log sets continue to be a bestseller for us. Our customers love them for their ease of installation and ease of use. Plus, gas logs are better, warmer, and more realistic-looking than ever. Still, that doesn’t mean that people don’t come into our showroom with plenty of questions about whether gas logs are right for them, as opposed to all the other options out there. With more than 12 years invested in our Westhampton Beach, New York, business, we now consider ourselves pros at weighing the pros and cons of different heating options for our customers, with concern given to everything from budget to heat, ambiance to safety.

Have questions about whether or not gas logs are right for you? We hope our FAQ may be of some help:

You have questions about switching to gas logs and we have answers.

What are the advantages of gas logs?

Most of our customers who prefer gas logs do so because they’re much easier to deal with than wood, which needs to be chopped or purchased, hauled inside, and then scooped out after the fire has died. Gas logs also allow you to turn off your fire when you go to bed or leave home, instead of waiting for the fire to go out naturally. Plus, many types of gas log sets can be activated by a remote control. You also should not have to have your chimney cleaned annually if you use only gas logs in your fireplace.

Can I install gas logs in my existing gas or wood-burning fireplace?

Gas logs actually aren’t safe to install in gas fireplaces. Instead gas logs are made to install in wood-burning fireplaces as a way to convert them to gas. It is very important to follow all installation rules so as not asphyxiate yourself or put yourself at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning. If your existing fireplace was designed to burn wood, there’s a good chance that you will be able to burn gas logs in it.

What is the difference between vented and vent-free gas logs?

Vented gas logs require the use of a chimney and a fully functioning wood-burning fireplace to operate safely while vent-free (ventless) logs can be installed in either a wood-burning fireplace or a fireplace specially designed for ventless gas logs. Ventless gas logs create more heat, but vented gas logs look more realistic.

How much do gas logs cost to burn?

The cost will vary greatly depending on which type of fuel you use—liquid propane or natural gas—as well as the BTU rating of your gas logs, but by most accounts you will spend between 55 cents and $1.15 per hour to use your gas logs. The national average cost of natural gas is about half the cost of propane.

Live in the Westhampton Beach or the Long Island area and have questions about gas logs? Beach Stove & Fireplace is here to serve you. Reach us at (631) 998-0780.

Bioethanol: Saving Energy

The Benefits Of Bioethanol Products

Beach Stove and Fireplace carries hearth appliances  that burn all types of fuels — wood-burning products , gas products and pellet-burning products included. But your home or your preferences might make more traditional combustion appliances a poor fit for you. If that’s the case, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the warmth and ambiance of a fireplace — we can show you a variety of Bioethanol fireplaces and burners that’ll work perfectly even if your heating appliance installation options are highly limited.

There are many different ways to save energy around the home. Installing a bioethanol fireplace is a fantastic start.

How Do Bioethanol Products Work?

When you use a Bioethanol fireplace, you’re still having a real fire — you’re just using a liquid fuel that burns efficiently and cleanly, with no smoke or sparks. The renewable fuel is made from agricultural by-products, and you can refill as you need to.

A Few Reasons You Might Want A Bioethanol Fireplace Or Burner

Your Installation Options Are Limited

Wood-burning and vented gas fireplaces need to be attached to a chimney, so that chimney can vent the harmful byproducts of their fuels’ combustion out of your home. But for some people, installing a fireplace just isn’t an option — maybe you’re in an apartment or condo that doesn’t leave you space or access for the chimney installation, or the condo board doesn’t allow wood- or gas-burning units. Maybe you want to add a hearth appliance to an interior room that, location-wise, makes a chimney installation complicated or impossible. When your installation options are limited, a bioethanol fireplace can solve your problems — these don’t need a flue or a chimney, so you can have them installed just about anywhere you want.

You’re Looking More For Ambiance Than Heat

While bioethanol fireplaces do provide some heat, it’s not the kind of heat you’ll expect from a wood, gas or pellet unit. So if you’re really not looking for heat — either because you don’t need auxiliary heating, or because you want to enjoy the look of your fireplace year-round — bioethanol units can provide vibrant orange flames and cozy moods with a minimal amount of heat.

You’re Looking For Low To No Maintenance

Wood-burning fireplaces are beautiful, but they require a fairly decent amount of work, from collecting and storing fuel to building fires and cleaning up after them — along with the regular professional maintenance they require. Gas units ask for less maintenance, but there’s still work (and regular chimney inspections) involved. If what you really want is the vibe of a real fire with minimal upkeep, bioethanol can be a great choice — these are maintenance free, so you won’t be cleaning up ash or calling to schedule for costly repairs.

Those are just a few of the reasons we think bioethanol products are great. If you think a new bioethanol fireplace might be right for your place – or if you’re thinking about any other kind of hearth product – stop by our showroom in Westhampton Beach, or give Beach Stove and Fireplace a call!

What is a Pellet Stove?

It’s not really new, but some might say it’s hot right now. Interest in wood pellet heat is growing once again as oil prices keep hovering above $3 per gallon. While pellet stoves require up front costs and cannot be used as a sole heating source, the savings are substantial and allow consumers to cut their overall energy usage and costs. We urge you to continue reading to see why adding a pellet stove or insert to your home could be a huge money saver in terms of your future heating costs.

Today you can choose from a new generation of wood- and pellet-burning appliances that are cleaner burning, more efficient, and powerful enough to heat many average-sized, modern homes.

Why Should I Choose a Pellet Stove?

In colder climates, heating costs account for approximately one-third of a homeowner’s annual utility bill, which is why many are seeking thriftier ways to stay warm and toasty. Freestanding pellet stoves and inserts that fit inside an existing fireplace are an increasingly popular solution for homeowners. Pellet stoves create a tiny fraction of the ash produced by an older wood-burning stove or fireplace, so cleaning s much less frequent. If used daily, you’d probably find yourself emptying the ashpan once a week.

How Does a Pellet Stove Work?

Pellet stoves and inserts look like traditional wood stoves but operate more like a modern furnace. You need only fill the stove’s hopper with pellets made from compacted sawdust, set its thermostat, sit back, and get cozy. A mechanical auger deposits the pellets into a burn pot, where they are incinerated at such a high temperature that they create no vent-clogging creosote and very little ash or emissions, which keeps both indoor and outdoor air cleaner. The best part is that they are about twice as efficient at warming your home as older wood stoves that have not been certified by the EPA and are vastly more efficient than fireplaces.

Is a Pellet Stove a Good Option for my Home?

Depending on your home’s size and layout, a pellet stove could supplement the current heating system or be used as the sole source. And, despite its workhorse reputation, pellet stoves come in a variety of designs to complement any interior style. Unless you’re comfortable with cutting holes in your house for the venting, however, it is best to leave the installation to a professional. Pipes can run horizontally out an exterior wall, vertically through the roof, or up the chimney if adding an insert.

Pellet stoves are a great way to heat your home. The beauty of a fire, with the added advantages of a pellet stove, mainly better efficiency. With the fluctuating costs of home heating oil, a new pellet stove or insert might very well pay for itself in one winter. Depending on the particular model or style of the unit you select, you could own a pellet stove and the pellet fuel to heat your home for the winter for less than half the price of heating oil.

Whether you prefer the convenience of shopping online or would rather get up close and personal with your potential new pellet stove or insert, Beach Stove & Fireplace has you covered. Want to know more about a product or see and feel it for yourself? Simply call us at (631) 998-0780 or stop in and see us today.

Thinking About an Insert?

We know you love a roaring fire on a chilly night. We also know you may be really tired of chopping, carrying and purchasing fire wood. You may also be worried about missing the sights and sounds of a fire.  The thing is, some of these inserts are strikingly realistic.  The professionals at Beach Stove and Fireplace can help you in choosing the perfect fit for you and your home.

Do inserts create heat?

Fuel options for an insert include wood, propane or pellet. Call us with questions…we are here to help!

To most people’s surprise, an insert can create a significant amount of heat – and the heat is consistent and evenly distributed.  There are many types of inserts that you can get, the first being a wood-burning insert, which is basically a wood stove without legs.  This can fit inside of the fireplace you already have and still burn real logs.  You can also get a pellet insert which is a type of prefabricated convection heater that you pour pellets into to create a fire instead of logs.  The best part is that these pellets are made of recycled materials.

The newer types of gas inserts are much different than old decorative fireplaces.  Today’s gas inserts use propane or natural gas, fake logs, and other decorative pieces.  They can be installed in any type of fireplace and vented thorough an existing chimney.  These are the easiest inset to use because they require very little maintenance.  They also run off a switch, so it is easier to control the fire.  To learn more about the installation process, click here.

Does it cost a lost to switch over?

When you buy the insert it may seem a little pricey but always remember you’ll be saving money each day in lower energy costs. Even though the initial cost of an insert may be high, it has been estimated that you could save hundreds of dollars a year on fuel prices.

Maximizing the Heat

Enjoy the warmth your fireplace has to offer by maximizing it’s heating potential and increasing energy efficiency.

Our fireplaces create a comforting ambiance on a cold winter day, but the warmth, unfortunately, is usually more show than substance. The explanation is firmly entrenched in the realm of science. We’re all aware that hot air rises; as such, the majority of the heat produced by your fire attempts to escape through your chimney. Not only that, this fleeing hot air creates an updraft that sucks even more warm air up and out of the room. The goal here, then, is finding ways to keep the hot air from fleeing and, instead, coaxing it to remain in your living space.

The Benefits of Burning Seasoned Wood

An easy first step to increasing the performance and heating efficiency of your fireplace is to burn seasoned firewood. Freshly cut wood—also referred to as green firewood—burns inefficiently and produces large amounts of smoke with little to no real heat to speak of. The majority of the heat energy produced from burning the wood is used to evaporate the excess moisture in the wood rather than going into actually heating your home; this excess moisture also attempts to put the fire out as it’s burning. Seasoned wood, on the other hand, has had ample time to dry and burns much more efficiently than its green counterparts.

Adjusting your Damper to Maximize Heat Output

Once you’ve got your seasoned firewood arranged in the fireplace, you can open the damper as wide as possible to increase the amount of air to the fire. This will improve the combustion and increase the amount of heat produced by the fire. It’s important to note here, however, that one drawback to this increased combustion is that your wood will ultimately burn faster, which will cause you to have to add seasoned wood more often to get a nice continuous flow of heat.

Annual Chimney Inspection and Sweeping

Having your chimney inspected and cleaned by a CSIA-certified chimney sweep yearly can also make it possible to boost your heating performance, as the process removes creosote buildup inside that can significantly restrict air flow. Once your fireplace and chimney have been cleaned, you can replace the screen in front of the fireplace with tempered glass doors, and keep the doors closed while the fire is burning. Doing this will increase the temperature of the fire in your fireplace and reduce the amount of warm air that the fire draws from the room.

Following the steps mentioned above will enable your fireplace to provide your home with more heat than it might have otherwise produced. Beach Stove & Fireplace takes pride in the services provided to each and every one of our customers. We encourage you to take a minute to call or ask one of our technicians what is available for your particular unit that can help it last longer and/or perform better. You won’t be disappointed that you called!