Our Company Blog

All About Inserts: What to Know Before Purchasing

According to the National Association of Home Builders, fireplaces are among the top 3 most desired features in a new home, and it’s easy to see why. A fireplace provides a home with a hearth, a gathering place for family and friends and comforting warmth during the colder months. A fireplace is also an expensive investment that requires much research before making a decision.

A fireplace can also be a huge responsibility during the winter months, when the efficient heating of your home is a necessity. A traditional fireplace can require a lot of work to maintain a comfortable level of heat, while also causing a possible spike in your electricity bill.

Fortunately, there is a way to improve the efficiency of your fireplace: the installation of an insert.

Are you interested in improving the efficiency and heating capabilities of your fireplace? .

Why You Need an Insert

In the often grueling New York winters, heating one’s home can be a serious expense, and having a fireplace can be a real comfort.

Unfortunately, many fireplaces, especially those with open-hearths, don’t heat very efficiently.
A fireplace insert is a great option for improving these efficiency problems.

A fireplace insert is essentially a sealed, energy-efficient box that is retrofitted into an existing fireplace; they do not open directly into the home, preventing the waste of energy that is generated by fireplaces that do.

Make the Switch from a Traditional Wood Fireplace to Gas Log

A masonry fireplace, while beautiful and traditional, isn’t as efficient for heating a home as one that uses gas logs. A fireplace insert can allow you to make the switch from a traditional, wood-burning fireplace to a gas log unit that will heat your home more efficiently.

It’s also important to note that switching to a gas log fireplace will save you the time and energy of acquiring, storing and seasoning wood to be burned in your fireplace when it gets cold. With a gas log unit, you won’t have to make trips out into the snow or a blizzard to retrieve more firewood.

Talk to a professional fireplace installer to see if your traditional fireplace can be converted to a gas unit.

Get More Use Out of Your Masonry or Factory-Built Fireplace

Installing an insert in your masonry or factory-built fireplace could cut your energy bills by as much as 40%, while still providing you with the warmth and ambiance that you deserve.

Installing a fireplace in your home is an expense in and of itself; you deserve to enjoy its features in the most energy-efficient way possible.

Hiring a Professional to Handle Your Fireplace Inserts

Making the leap towards a fireplace install is an expense. Depending on your fireplace, you could be looking at an investment of a few thousand dollars, especially if you’d like to convert to a gas log unit from a traditional masonry model.

It is essential that you entrust the installation of your insert to a professional. Most fireplaces are unique, and installing an insert requires training and precision, to ensure that your purchase provides you with the energy efficiency and heating abilities that you deserve.

Beach Stove and Fireplace is the premiere destination for all of your stove and fireplace needs in the Long Island Area. Contact us today for more information on our fireplace inserts, purchasing and installation.

The Facts About Wood Pellet Stoves

Wood pellet stoves sales are surging according to Consumer Reports. Homeowners are using pellet stoves to supplement their furnace to reduce utility costs. Beach Stove & Fireplace are your local pellet stove advisors.

Wood pellet stoves use pellets which are little thin rods of compressed wood and saw dust. The benefits of burning pellets rather than traditional logs in a fireplace include the ability to burn cleaner and produce less ash and smoke. Pellets are also a more economical and environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels.

While watching a fire burn in a traditional fireplace has romantic appeal, if you are looking for an alternative method to heat your home with an efficiency factor as high as 90% you may want to consider a pellet stove. Pellet stoves can be freestanding or a fireplace insert. Most pellet stoves are made from steel or cast iron and the design can be decorative or merely functional depending on their use.

Pellet stoves are self-igniting and turn on and off based on the temperature setting. It is important to burn only high quality pellets in your pellet stove, the higher grade pellet the less ash produced. In addition to wood, pellets can also be grain, corn, or seed. The bags of pellets should be stored inside. Look for pellets qualified by the Pellet Fuels Institute. Click here to learn more about their advice and recommendations.

When deciding on what size pellet stove to purchase, Consumer Reports offers this advice, “Stoves and inserts typically heat 1,500 to 2,500 square feet. Choose one according to the size of the area you’re heating. The heat that these appliances generate is measured in British thermal units per hour. Figure about 25 to 30 Btu/h per square foot, or at least 5,000 Btu/h for a 200-square-foot space. Other considerations include the climate in your region, effectiveness of insulation in the ceiling and exterior walls, height of the ceiling, number and size of windows, and whether the space above and below the room is heated.”

The Anatomy of a Pellet Stove

Pellet stoves run on electricity and require a standard outlet. There is the hopper, the auger system, two blower fans, a firebox, a controller, and several safety features including heat sensors and a vacuum. Operationally, they are very simple; when you put the pellets into the hopper the auger pushes them into the firebox where they are burned. The fan circulates air to keep the flames burning and also forces the warm air into your home. The venting on the pellet stove routes the exhaust out of your home and the waste pan collects the ashes.It is important that when pellet stoves are installed there is an outside air intake to ensure your safety and the efficiency of the stove.

Professional installation is required for a pellet stove. Consumer Reports cautions that your contractor should be certified by the National Fireplace Institute who is not only familiar with fire and safety regulations, but also has the expertise to advise you of the best location for the pellet stove and creates the proper venting. Temperatures can reach several hundred degrees and can pose a huge fire risk if not properly located away from walls, furniture, and secured on a proper base.

The technicians from Beach Stove and Fireplace have installed pellet stoves in all types of surroundings and know the best placement and installation for your safety and efficiency. Our team will work with you to choose the type stove that will deliver the results you are looking to achieve. We’re here to answer any questions, and help you get started on reducing your heating costs. Give us a call today.

All About Westhampton Beach

Westhampton Beach is a beautiful and idyllic group of towns and hamlets located on Long Island, the southern most part of New York State. Beach Stove and Fireplace loves to call Westhampton Beach home because of the beautiful scenery, gorgeous beaches and small-town feel.

Small Town Vibe At Westhampton Beach

There are plenty of local shops in the Westhampton Beach area, which makes shopping in the area both economical and exciting. There is also a vibrant farmer’s market that offers the best in produce and locally made goods.The local economy is sustained by the local shops owned by real families that live in the area. We love to shop and dine in Westhampton Beach because not only are the choices varied and exciting, but we feel good about supporting local businesses.

Outdoor Fun At Westhampton Beach

Another asset to the Westhampton Beach area is the gorgeous outdoor scenery. Spring, summer and fall offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy the gorgeous Long Island Sound and Atlantic Ocean. Swimming, camping and outdoor cooking are exciting ways to spend time with family and friends. At Beach Stove and Fireplace we have everything you need to enjoy the gorgeous sand and surf in Westhampton Beach.

Additional Facts About Westhampton Beach

• 209 days of sunshine
• July temperatures average 84 degrees
• Arts and crafts festivals
• Wining and dining for every palette

Outfitting Your Backyard

If you live in Westhampton Beach, you have already taken advantage of the beautiful scenery and wonderful beach living the area has to offer. Take your outdoor cooking game to the next level with a functional and gorgeous outdoor cooking area from Beach Stove and Fireplace. Even if outdoor cooking is not your thing, our qualified fireplace and stove professionals can outfit your backyard with a warm and comforting outdoor fireplace perfect for entertaining friends and family.

Enjoying The Cool Weather

Beyond gorgeous fire pits and outdoor grills, Beach Stove and Fireplace also offers a variety of patio heaters. Now you can entertain your guests when the weather is cooler during spring and late fall. Enjoy outdoor entertaining with the very best in heating and fireplace products that will not only beautify your living space but also create warm and inviting areas your friends and family will love. We have products for every taste, and every budget so amp up your backyard area with these beautiful outdoor heating and fire products from a local Westhampton Beach company.

With a robust economy, white sandy beaches and plenty of shopping and dining, Westhampton Beach is a perfect place to visit or live. If you love Westhampton Beach like we do, then take full advantage of the outdoors with a beautiful, functional outdoor cooking or entertaining area in your backyard. Beach Stove and Fireplace has technicians with years of experience recommending and installing outdoor fireplaces, stoves and grills to help you enjoy the warm weather and beautiful scenery. Small, serene and picturesque, we think Westhampton Beach is a wonderful place to call home. Contact Beach Stove and Fireplace to outfit your outdoor area today.