The latest version of the model Energy Code requires gasketed fireplace doors on all new construction. That includes new homes or home additions. Massachusetts, along with 17 other states, has adopted the law.

This means that it is a requirement that newly constructed masonry fireplaces be equipped with gasketed doors in Massachusetts.Gasketed “Air Seal” fireplace doors are available as a remedy for homeowners who need are remodeling or building a new home. Glass Fireplace doors are also perfect for homes that experience cold air infiltration down their chimney because of negative pressure.

The advantage to glass fireplace doors for new construction is that they are sealed fireplace doors! Sealed fireplace doors keep the heated and cooled warm air from going up the chimney and keep any unpleasant odors from the fireplace out of the room. No fireplace door is completely airtight, but the gasketed doors at West Sport in Sudbury save approximately 99% of energy loss. Make your masonry fireplace more than a décor item, lower your heating bill, and meet the new state and local building codes with glass fireplace doors.

If you are beginning a new construction project, home addition, or renovation, have your contractor get in touch for information on contractor deals and specials. Contact West Sport in Sudbury for more information on air-tight fireplace doors!

Fireplaces are one of the top amenities for homeowners who are looking to buy a new house. In fact, they only rank second behind outdoor patios, decks and porches. While the cost of adding a fireplace to an existing home used to be prohibitively expensive, today’s options are affordable, and they are also a relatively easy home improvement.

What has made adding a fireplace to a home easy and affordable is the technology and the installation flexibility of gas fireplaces. No actual combustion occurs in gas fireplaces, so zero-clearance installation is possible. This means that “these fireplaces can be installed in direct contact with combustible walls and floors. Their inner and outer shell construction allows for maximum heat insulation.” As long as you have a natural gas connection or propane availability, you can install a gas fireplace almost anywhere in your home. Shielded by tempered or ceramic glass, gas fireplaces can even be exposed on three or four sides.

The flexibility gas fireplaces, combined with a wide array of styles—from traditional to contemporary, a fire that looks and performs like real wood, and the benefit of improved energy efficiency, and gas fireplaces have become one of the hottest fireplace products today, outselling wood and pellet by more than half.

Benefits of gas over wood

Comparing prices, you’ll find little difference between gas and wood fireplaces, and installation costs are about equal as well. The main difference between gas and wood lies in venting and long-term performance.

The nice thing about gas is that you have immediate ignition and complete control over the heat output. With wood, a certain amount of time is required to light the fire, turn that energy into heat and then get that heat into a room.

In contrast to a gas fireplace, whose heat is controlled with a thermostat, a wood-burning fireplace only comes with air control—the damper.

High-end gas fireplaces are available with comfort control systems. These monitor the temperature of a room and start ramping the burner down as the room approaches a desired temperature.

What about the environment? “Wood is a renewable resource, gas isn’t.” In a gas fireplace there are very few by-products of combustion entering the atmosphere. So, environmentally, gas appliances can be considered healthier than a wood-burning appliance.

In next week’s blog, we’ll discuss venting options for gas fireplaces.

For more information, contact West Sport in Sudbury.

bobvila.com

Anyone who's paid winter home heating costs knows the feeling of sticker shock. Heating the home comes with a steep price tag—as much as 45% of the average household budget.

That's why many happy homeowners have turned to one of the oldest, most reliable, and least expensive forms of heat: wood. Today’s wood stoves have come a long way from the smelly, dirty, and often polluting pot-bellied monsters of the past. This new generation of wood stoves is more powerful, more efficient, and cleaner than old wood burners.

When choosing a wood stove, it is important to select a model that fits the space. Over- or under-sized stoves are not as efficient, waste fuel, and contribute to air pollution. Heating power is measured in British Thermal Units (BTU), and will give you a good idea of how much juice you'll need to heat your home.

Wood stoves are available in styles ranging from traditional to contemporary, and are constructed of cast iron, plate steel, sheet metal, soapstone, tile, or a combination of these materials. Many newer models boast large, see-through, self-cleaning glass doors that allow you to enjoy the firelight, without spending too much time keeping the window clear. Other modern conveniences that come standard on many of today's models include removable ash pans, insulated door handles, thermostats, and air circulators or blowers.

Another thing to consider when purchasing a wood stove is ventilation. If you have an existing chimney in your home, you may need to re-line the interior with stainless steel pipe to make the chimney compatible with a new high-efficiency stove. If you need to add a chimney, you may want to use a prefabricated metal chimney.

Below are two of the top-performing wood stoves reviewers and shoppers like best:

Hearthstone Heritage Soapstone Wood Stove

For an upscale wood stove it doesn't get much better than the Hearthstone Heritage. Constructed of heat-holding soapstone, the walls of this model provide gentle, radiant heat for hours after the fire has died out, all without becoming hot to the touch, like steel or cast iron. The effect is a machine that's safe enough to use in households with young children and pets. The EPA-certified unit is also approved for use in mobile homes and alcoves, making it perfectly versatile. Available at Hearth Stone Stoves; $2,899.

Vermont Castings Defiant

The eco-friendly Defiant from Vermont Castings is EPA-certified and made from 100% recycled materials and produced using renewable energy. The top-loading design helps you burn hotter fires for longer and the thermostatic air control maintains a nice, steady heat. A limited lifetime warranty ensures that this stove will serve you well for many winters to come. Available at Lehman's; $2,480.

For more information, contact West Sport in Sudbury.

BobVila.com