Our Company Blog

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.

Tax Credits: 2013

Who doesn’t like saving money?  We wanted to make sure that you were aware of a soon-to-be expiring tax credit relating to wood and pellet stoves as well as fireplace inserts.  It’s not too late to invest a little money to do some last minute improvements to your heating system before heating season really gets ramped up. Every dollar you save can go toward a summer trip to the beach.

On January 1, 2013, Congress passed a bill addressing parts of the now infamous fiscal cliff.  This bill included a reinstatement of the $300 tax credit for biomass heaters; the tax credit initially expired at the end of 2011.  The provision allows taxpayers to receive a tax credit for the full cost of the equipment and installation up to $300 for stoves bought in 2013 and is retroactive, which makes it possible for stoves purchased in 2012 to also get the credit.

The credit applies to energy efficiency improvements including but not limited to the purchase of high-efficiency heating, cooling and water-heating equipment.  The efficiency improvements or equipment must be for a home in the U.S. that is owned and used by the taxpayer as his/her primary residence.  The maximum tax credit for all improvements in 2011, 2012, and 2013 is $500.  The cap includes tax credits for any improvements made in any previous year.  If a taxpayer claimed $500 or more of these tax credits in any previous year, any purchases made in 2011, 2012, or 2013 will be ineligible for a tax credit.

The are a few conditions associated with the tax credit.  The equipment must be at least 75% efficient and have been purchased in 2012 or 2013.  The taxpayer cannot have claimed an aggregate of more than $500 in previous years for this same tax credit; this means that every new EPA-certified stove purchased is eligible for the full $300 tax credit, as they all meet the 75% efficiency threshold and cost more than $300.  However, a taxpayer could not collect the full $300 if they have already received tax credits under this provision in previous years and the total amount was over $500.

Numerous websites have reported that the credit is only for 10% of the purchase price, up to $300, but this is incorrect.  As long as you know that you haven’t claimed this tax credit in previous years, feel free to do your pellet stove and/or fireplace insert shopping knowing that, there’s going to be a $300 credit waiting for you at the end of the rainbow when tax season rolls around.

What is a pellet stove?

Pellet Stoves Are A Good Option 

Most people know that wood-burning and gas-burning units are options if they’re looking for a new heating appliance. But pellet-burning units can be worth considering too — they offer a lot of the benefits of wood and gas, combined.

Whether you’re looking for a bright and arresting, modern-looking appliance or something more classic and woodsy cabin-esque, Beach Stove And Fireplace has a pellet stove that’ll appeal to you. And if you’re not familiar with the ins and outs of a pellet stove, here are some details to think about:

The Vibe Of Wood, The Convenience Of Gas

It’s hard not to love a classic wood-burning stove — it’s what comes to mind when we think about sitting by a fire. But using wood involves a fair bit of effort, between gathering, stacking and storing wood and making and tending the fire each time you use the stove. Pellet-burning appliances burn wood, essentially, but the experience is different — you’ll load a supply of fuel into your stove, and an electric hopper will feed the pellets as needed to keep a consistent burn.

The pellets are largely made out of waste materials (sawdust, for the most part), so they’re a great option for people who keep a focus on using renewable, earth-friendly materials in their home. Pellets also tend to be a really affordable fuel choice.

While pellet-burning stoves aren’t 100 percent as effortless as using gas, they’re really close. Beyond refilling the fuel and a little cleanup, a pellet-burning stove more or less does the work for you. You’ll enjoy the vibe of a wood fire with much less mess and work. And pellets don’t take up a ton of space, so you get that benefit as well.

If You’re Looking For Efficiency, Pellet Stoves Deliver

Pellet-burning stoves like the ones Beach Stove And Fireplace offers are designed with a focus on high efficiency — they’re produced to work with a very specific fuel-to-air ratio that keeps a consistent burn, leads to more complete fuel combustion and results in lower levels of byproducts, including smoke and other emissions. That efficiency means lower levels of creosote in the chimney, too, which means a safer chimney system.

From an environmental standpoint, pellet-burning stoves bring a plus, too. The Environmental Protection Agency says that, “Pellet stoves are typically among the cleanest wood-burning heating appliances available today and deliver high overall efficiency.”

If you’d like to learn more about pellet stoves, and check out the wide variety of sizes, shapes and styles available, Beach Stove And Fireplace can help!