Why install an air-tight woodburning or gas fireplace insert into my traditional open wood burning fireplace?

Open Fireplace

Many older homes have traditional, built-on-location, open masonry (brick or stone) fireplaces.

An open woodburning fireplace:

  • Burns wood very quickly: Open in the front, it allows vast quantities of air to be pulled into the fireplace. Oxygen feeds fire, causing the fuel to burn hot and fast.
  • Provides minimal heat: The airflow entering the front of the fireplace draws the heat up the chimney, rather than heating the room.
  • Requires diligent attention: Since the wood burns very quickly, it requires excessive refueling to keep the fire going.

Air-tight Fireplace Insert

A new gas or wood burning Fireplace Insert fits into an existing open wood burning fireplace.

An air-tight fireplace insert:

  • Burns fuel slowly: Through the closed door, the air control regulates the quantity of oxygen reaching the flame. The fuel burns more slowly and efficiently.
  • Provides significant heat: The system maximizes the quantity of heated air returning to the room, creating an efficient heat source.
  • Requires minimal attention: Connected to a thermostat, a gas fireplace insert requires almost no attention at all. In a wood burning fireplace insert, wood burns very slowly, requiring less frequent refueling.

An air-tight woodburning or gas fireplace insert increases heat and decreases fuel needs. Now that’s efficient!