Fireplace Planet

Imitation Fireplace Inserts

Don’t Be Fooled by Imitation Fireplace Inserts  

      Fireplace inserts can be a wonderful addition to any home environment.  They are extremely effective for heating, and their versatility allows them to fit in many different living environments.  It’s important, however, not to be fooled by a low-quality product.  Imitation fireplace inserts can be dangerous, and they won’t give you the best bang for your buck.

      One area to look out for when purchasing a fireplace insert is the claim of being environmentally friendly.  Clean-burning and EPA-certified fireplace inserts are technologically advanced, which allows them to sustain fires that produce less pollution that could be released into your home and in the air. For these reasons, it’s very easy to find products that try to capitalize on these claims without delivering a worthy product.  It’s important to know what the standards are for any fireplace insert that says it is environmentally friendly.

      Another area to be concerned about is safety.  Fireplace inserts are very popular because they are often safer than an open fireplace.  The fire is enclosed in the steel firebox and shut in by a door so sparks and smoke are not released into your room.  One aspect that can take away from the safety of your fireplace insert is not having a full chimney liner.  A full chimney liner carries the smoke from the fireplace all the way to the top of the chimney and releases it rather than only going halfway like some other liners.  This creates less buildup inside the chimney that can cause a dangerous unseen fire, and it also ensures that your fireplace insert is operating at a high efficiency level. 

      Safety is also important as it relates to what product is burned in your fireplace insert.  A high-quality wood burning fireplace should be sealed properly so it doesn’t leave room for extraneous fires.  Gas burning and electric fireplace inserts also have there own safety standards to prevent any dangerous situations.  It’s vital to know what products can be used in your insert.

      No matter what kind of fireplace insert you have it’s important to be aware of the safety guidelines for installation as well as for properly using and maintaining the insert.  The characteristics of your home and where you live will determine many aspects of what type of fireplace insert you install.  The most important thing is not to settle for imitation fireplace inserts.  They’re a poor substitute for high-quality fireplace inserts and can be more harmful than helpful.