Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1.
What is the current state-of-the-art in Hearth Products ?
Answer: Many folks picture the Old fashioned Fireplace or Pot Belly stove as being representative of our Industry. Those Folks would be pleasantly surprised if they set foot in a modern Hearth Shop. Hearth Products Manufacturers, in concert with designers, technicians and government and building code agencies, have produced modern and efficient appliances that are a joy to look at--and a breeze to operate. All current Woodstoves and many built-in Fireplaces meet or exceed the E.P.A. Standards for clean burning and high efficiency. The Modern Gas appliances (available in Natural Gas or Propane) are also required to meet strict standards for safety and efficiency. Bottom line, we'll get you that stove in green ! -- it'll look good and work well.

Question 2.
What is the Environmental Impact of Hearth Products ?
Answe: Many Hearth Dealers started their businesses back in the late 70's, after the Three Mile Island disaster and Oil price and supply shocks. That mentality has stayed with us throughout the years, and we have pressured our suppliers to produce cleaner and more efficient stoves and fireplaces. The Hearth Industry worked closely with the EPA to invoke strict limits on the amount of pollution that can be emitted from a Wood Burning Appliance. The result--todays products burn with 1/10 the smoke as did earlier models. But, we're not stopping there - development is continuing on even cleaner appliances.

Question 3.
What are the costs involved in buying and installing Hearth Products ?
Answer: As with most products, the costs can vary. A range of popular products and price ranges are given below:

• Fireplaces -- Start at around $800 (Material Only) to as much as $5,000-$10,000 fully installed for Deluxe Models.
• Woodstoves -- $600 to $2,500 (Stove Only) - A full installation with chimney, hearth and stove is $1,700 to $3,000+.
• Gas Stoves and Fireplaces -- $600 to $3,000 (Stove or Fireplace only) - Installed prices range from $1,200 to $5,000+.
• Gas Logs -- $300 to $800+-- Add an additional $300 to $600 for installation into an existing fireplace.
• Glass Fireplace Doors -- $350 to $1,000+ -- Add $85 to $250 for installation.

Question 4.
I need a formula for figuring the BTU needed to heat a home. Can you help?
Answer: Rough Rule of thumb (depends on lots of factors) For maximum heat load of a house take cubic feet of house (say a 2000 sf house with 8 foot ceilings) 16-000 CF Multiply time 4.5 === 72-000 BTU Output. A poorly insulated home could lose double this heat- and a super tight one 1/2 the heat--but there's a start. Hope it helps...

Question 5.
We're shopping for a gas direct vent fireplace to install in master bedroom about 350 square feet. We don't want too much BTU's/heat in the room. Any suggestions would be appreciated for a manufacturer that offers a properly sized unit, or possibly unit to vent excess heat to other parts of house.
Answer: Most manufacturers design units of various sizes and heat output for just such loations.
Heat n' Glo has at least one unit that is designed to dump the excess heat up the chimney, so this may do if you want the largest fire opening.
If you want to use a small stove with glass view, try the new Jotul QT or Allagash.

Question 6.
I have an open brick fireplace in the living room built about 15 yrs ago it was in the house when we bought it People say that an open fireplace sucks heat out of the house when the fire is on and the doors are open . Is that true ? I Feel heat from the thing when the doors are open & the fire is on . What is your opinion and what is the best way to operate the doors open - part open or closed ? I'm a new home owner and never had to learn about fireplace operation . Thought it was easy .
Answer: You are feeling only the radiant heat..which comes out the front of the fireplace like rays from the sun..in a direct line. What you are not seeing is the escape of heated house air up the chimney. If you want heat from the fireplace it's best to put a stove or insert into it...there are also some special grates that help a fireplace heat better.If you are going to use it open- leave the doors open when the fire is hot- and close them when it's lower and/or going out.

Question 7.
I am so confused, please help. I would like to replace my freestanding woodstove with a LP gas stove. It now exhaust out into a cement block chimney on the outside of the house, the rise is about 25 feet. I am interested in a sterling b-vent or a Jotul direct vent more so the b-vent but the local dealer says if i go with the b-vent I must insulate the pipe and the direct vent is so expensive, why can't i just exhaust it into the chimney and forget about it?
Answer: Gas exhaust is very cool and so does not always establish a good draft, especially into the cold block chimney. If you get a B-Vent, you'll want to use one of the aluminum liner kits to line the chimney with a 3 or 4" sleeve. If you go with a direct-vent you can still use the chimney - but you need a special adapter made by Dura-vent which converts the chimney to accept a two pipe system, (Direct-vent). The Direct Vents are a little more efficient, but the whole system may cost more. Your call....

Question 8.
We now have a wood/coal burning stove. We recently bought a pellet stove from a friend. The pellet stove's exhaust pipe is much smaller than our existing stove pipe. We have triple walled pipe through the attic. How can we use the existing triple wall with the pellet stove? Thank you.
Answer: Run the pellet vent pipe (either "L" vent pipe- or single wall stainless steel) up right thru the center of the triple wall. The triple wall is too big- and therefore too "cold" to vent the gases without a relining with smaller pipe.

Question 9.
We installed a woodburning stove in 1991 and used triple walled stove pipe which was available at that time. My husband knocked down two sections from the roof , trying not to fall himself, and now I find I can't find triple walled stove pipe anywhere around here. Help! I really can't afford to tear out all the pipe and convert to the current double wall that I find here. Is there any source in the country for triple wall stove pipe? Is there an adaptor section that can take my triple wall to a double wall?
Answer: Most triple wall pipe was made by a company called Dura-Vent which is still in business. The name of the pipe manufacturer may be stamped into the metal or on a label that is still visible. If you need this pipe, you can order it from: The FirePlace Depot, Inc. – (831) 636-5400 or fax inquires to (831) 636-4945.

 

Keeping that warm feeling alive is our business