2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. Blog: Archive for the ‘Fireplace Inserts’ Category

What Fireplace Do You Want For Your Home?

Monday, September 14th, 2020

gas-fireplace-insertYou finally got the house that you have been dreaming of and everything is settling down at last. The boxes are unpacked and the house is set up but there is something missing. A nice fireplace would be the perfect addition to your home! But installing a fireplace into a home that didn’t have one previously is no task for the untrained.

If you are looking to add a fireplace to your home, you’ll need to reach out to us for a fireplace installation in St. Paul, MN. We can work with you to determine the best possible placement for your new system and get it installed effectively and neatly. All you will need to do is decide what type of fireplace you are looking for.

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A 3-Step Guide for Adding a Gas Insert Fireplace

Monday, August 17th, 2020

gas-fireplace-insertLiving in Minneapolis has its perks but it also has its drawbacks, one of which is our chilly winters. Thankfully our homes have reliable heating systems that we can use to stay comfortable. What’s more, many homes in Minneapolis also boast the benefits of a nice fireplace to help boost the warmth in winter.

As great as fireplaces are however the need to chop or purchase wood and constantly keep track of the build-up of soot and debris can eventually wear on anyone. You can opt-out of these tasks by switching to a gas fireplace. You may be wondering, “How can I do that if I already have a wood-burning fireplace in my house?” The answer is that you can reach out to us for gas insert services in Minneapolis.

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Gas Fireplaces Are Clean and Green

Monday, August 6th, 2018

finished-chimneyThere’s a reason why so many homeowners still choose to use a fireplace in their homes. They throw off good heat, they look great, and they provide a level of comfort that goes beyond the physical. They are relaxing, they allow for contemplative moments, and the splitting and stacking of wood is something that a lot of people cannot imagine doing without when winter comes around. There are also valid concerns that come with fireplaces, though.

While a well-designed and properly maintained fireplace will really be able to optimize its performance, the fact remains that there can be problems with efficiency. Those homeowners not quite so enamored with the splitting and stacking of wood will also find themselves wishing for a simpler solution—ideally without having to give up on the other benefits that fireplaces have to offer. This is why we often recommend the installation and use of gas fireplace inserts in Minneapolis, MN.

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Here’s Why a Gas Fireplace Insert May Be Right for You!

Monday, April 30th, 2018

gas-fireplaceIt is impossible to ignore the way that technology has and continues to affect every aspect of our lives. Fans of hard copy books may be turned off by the popularity of E-readers, vinyl nuts may take issue with the cold sound of digital music files, and so on. While there are always going to be people that prefer the low-tech options, this obviously does not mean that others aren’t going to jump at modern convenience.

Remember, even household vacuum cleaners were a novel idea at one time, and you don’t see many people refusing their benefits because they’re loyal to their brooms and dustpans! Even something as simple in theory as building a fire in a fireplace is not immune to the creep of modern technology, as evidenced by the popularity of gas fireplace inserts. Are you curious about the benefits of using gas fireplace inserts in Minneapolis, MN?

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What You Should Know about Gas Fireplace Conversion

Monday, September 18th, 2017

couple-fireplace-warmNothing compares to the warmth, tradition, and comfort of a wood-burning fireplace…or does it? While it was once the only fuel source option for fireplaces, most people know that fireplaces can run on all sorts of fuels these days. Electricity is one option—but one that can add up in terms of cost due to the high cost of using electricity to generate heat. That leads many to turn to an option already used to power most heaters: natural gas.

If you’re considering converting your fireplace to one that runs on natural gas, there are things you should know first. For more information, feel free to contact our friendly team any time, or visit our Napoleon fireplace showroom!

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What to Consider before Installing a New Wood Insert

Monday, November 10th, 2014

Wood-burning fireplaces are the oldest way to provide heat for homes. Although people rarely rely on wood fireplaces to provide overall warmth to a house any more, the old fashioned wood-burning hearth is still around because it is an unbeatable source of cozy ambience and beauty for a home. Wood burning fireplaces may not be whole-house comfort solutions any more, but few installations will add as much to your home life.

A wood fireplace insert is a way to keep your old masonry fireplace around but upgrade it so it’s more efficient, losing far less of its heat up the chimney and sending more warmth into your home. This will help make your old fireplace an addition to your heating system that will help keep down your bills. Even for one of the smaller wood inserts, a single load of wood can provide up to eight hours of warmth.

Call 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. today to find out more about our services for wood inserts in Eden Prairie, MN and the surrounding areas.

A few things to consider before installing a wood insert:

  • Do you need to upgrade your fireplace? Before you even consider having a wood insert put in, you need to know if your fireplace will even work with one. Wood inserts are designed to fit into pre-existing wood-burning masonry fireplaces. If you don’t already have a fireplace, you should consider a free-standing wood stove instead.
  • Perhaps you should upgrade to gas logs? When it comes time to installing any kind of insert for a fireplace, you will have to consider whether you should upgrade to using gas logs rather than continuing with a wood-burning model. Gas logs do not have the same beauty as a traditional fireplace, but they come with some significant advantages in convenience and maintenance. If you have an available gas line, you should give some consideration to having a gas insert put in.
  • What size insert do you need? You can’t simply go to a store and pick out any fireplace insert and put it in yourself. A new insert must be properly sized for the space and to make sure that it is compatible with the chimney itself and will vent correctly. It’s crucial to have professionals handle this work, as well as to check to see if your chimney is in good repair and if it needs cleaning before the insert is installed.

At 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc., we install wood inserts in Eden Prairie, MN from Regency Fireplace Products. All Regency inserts are EPA-certified and environmentally friendly and clean-burning. We offer a variety of inserts and will find the right size for your current hearth, as well as take care of any necessary cleaning and repairs the chimney may require before the insert goes in. We also install wood stoves and gas logs.

For more information on wood inserts for your fireplace in Eden Prairie Call Us Today! 612.922.9600 or 1-888-PIXLEYS

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The Advantages of Gas Fireplace Inserts

Monday, September 8th, 2014

As we head into another fall, our thoughts begin to turn toward heating. Last winter was a doozy, hitting us with incredibly cold temperatures and a lot of snow – and the forecast for this winter is looking similar. A great way to keep your home warm and improve your indoor heating experience, without blowing your monthly budget, is with the installation of a gas fireplace insert in your Minneapolis home. With a wide range of product offerings and two generations of experience with installation, 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc., can help you stay warmer this fall and winter with a gas fireplace insert.

Two Choices in Fuel Type

Gas inserts can work with either natural gas or propane. Natural gas can be less expensive than propane and can produce about 5% more heat, but natural gas may not be available in some areas. We will help you to determine which fuel is best suited for your home.

Advantages of a Gas Fireplace Insert

There are several advantages to installing a gas fireplace insert into your home:

  • Versatile – inserts are made in a variety of sizes and colors to fit many different fireplaces and types of décor.
  • Energy efficient – fireplace inserts have efficiency ratings ranging from 65% to over 90%.
  • Clean burning – there is no ash or creosote to clean with a gas insert.
  • Adds additional heating – depending on its size, a gas insert can heat 1,000 to 3,000 square feet. This allows you to add extra heat to the area in which your fireplace is located, offering you zone heating for that area.

Maintenance

One of the great advantages of using a clean-burning fuel is that your fireplace and chimney won’t require as much maintenance as before. But, it is important to schedule annual maintenance for your insert to keep its components in great working condition.

Always Hire Trained Professionals

To ensure that your gas fireplace insert is correctly installed and maintained, it’s always important to hire trained specialists. Look for certification from either CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America) or NFI (National Fireplace Institute).

A gas fireplace insert in your Minneapolis home can offer you great energy efficiency and clean burning this fall and winter.

Call 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc., today and schedule an appointment with one of our chimney and fireplace installation experts.

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Fridley Chimney & Fireplace Tips: What You Should Consider Before Installing a Pellet Stove

Monday, February 6th, 2012

Pellet stoves allow you to heat your Fridley home with some of the most efficient and clean energy available. Pellets are made from renewable materials, such as recycled wood or organic waste materials, and pellet fuel generates less emissions than all other solid fuels. Because pellet appliances burn such clean and renewable fuel, they are appealing to many homeowners, and pellet stoves are more common in homes than they were even a few years ago. Some manufacturers are now designing new pellet-burning furnaces and boilers; however, pellets are more commonly used in stoves and fireplace inserts. Before you start looking around for a new pellet stove to replace your old heating system, there are a few things you should consider.

In addition to providing highly efficient heat, pellet appliances are also convenient because they have a hopper that stores the fuel, and a feeding device that loads the fuel throughout the day. In most pellet appliances, the hopper only needs to be refueled once a day. However, this added feature also means that there are more components that can break, which may increase repair and maintenance costs. These devices also use electricity to operate, so you’ll want to factor in these additional costs when you are deciding whether or not to install a pellet stove. Another factor to consider is whether or not pellet fuel is accessible and affordable in your area. A quick Internet search will direct you to any suppliers near your home.

Most pellet appliance manufacturers also recommend that you install a stainless steel flue liner before installation. If you have a clay or tile liner, you should find out what size metal liner you’ll need and how much it will cost to re-line your chimney. Hiring a professional chimney technician to inspect your current flue and liner will also determine if your flue size and shape. This will let you know if you need a stainless steel liner that is made of flexible material and how much labor will be involved in cutting the liner to fit your chimney flue.

Depending on the age and condition of your current heating system, you may benefit from installing a pellet stove in your Fridley home. First you’ll need to compare the installation costs with how much you’ll get in energy savings. You can always call 2nd Generation Chimneys to speak with one of our chimney and fireplace experts about which heating system upgrade is the best choice for your heating needs.

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