Burlington Fireplace & Solar Blog

Moisture is the Achilles heel of unsuspecting brick chimneys. Bricks by nature are a porous material that absorbs water like a sponge. Although bricks are manufactured with a hard outer shell, environmental conditions can damage the surface allowing water to penetrate. High pressure and sandblasting can also pierce its protective shell.  And when water freezes the hydrogen atoms trapped inside the brick create a bond […]

When a fireplace and chimney are built or installed, they’re capable of performing at high efficiency.  As time passes, that efficiency can dwindle.  There can be many reasons for this.  Anything that impedes the flow of air within the fireplace system will cause the unit to operate below peak performance.  If fireplace efficiency is a problem for you, start with a chimney cleaning. Addressing creosote buildup With a […]

Wood has gotten a bad rap in the last few years as an inefficient heating source. But the problem had more to do with the inefficiency of heating appliances rather than the wood itself. Technology has improved considerably in the last few years and EPA-certified wood burning appliances are now 50% more efficient than its predecessors and use less fuel. Whether you’re looking […]

More than one million homeowners throughout the U.S. have invested in photovoltaic solar panels to increase energy efficiency and reduce energy costs for their homes. In fact, there were over 14,000 MW of solar panels installed in 2016 providing ample energy to power 8.3 million homes, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. And with the cost of solar at historic lows, the number of […]

By: Rich Hendrickson, Jr. – Burlington Fireplace & Solar Picking out a fireplace when building a home can be a daunting task, and many homeowners allow it to fall through the cracks. To help navigate through the options, and to make sure you don’t end up with something you’ll regret, take a look at a few tips we frequently share […]

By: Rich Hendrickson, Jr. – Burlington Fireplace & Solar Few things may seem as classic and unchanged in home décor than fireplaces, but you’d actually be wrong. In the fireplace industry, things are radically changing due to consumer tastes, government regulations, and advancements in technology. Now don’t worry too much – classic styles will always be available – but new types of […]

It is home improvement season. Tackling a project around the house is a great way to relieve the restless energy that builds up during the cold winter months. Adding or updating a fireplace is a great place to start. According to Home Advisor, adding a fireplace to your home is one of the top three minor projects that can increase its […]

Wood has gotten a bad rap in the last few years as an inefficient heating source. But the problem had more to do with the inefficiency of heating appliances rather than the wood itself. Technology has improved considerably in the last few years and EPA-certified wood burning appliances are now 50% more efficient than its predecessors and use less fuel. Whether you’re looking to save money on home […]

Mold are fungi spores that can grow anywhere in your home, including your fireplace and chimney during warm, damp and humid conditions. The tiny spores are invisible to the naked eye but can make their way into the fireplace or chimney through tiny cracks or crevices – sometimes even hitching a ride on leaves that fall through the flue. Once inside they can reproduce very quickly […]

“If I regularly use Chimney Cleaning Logs or Creosote Sweeping Logs, do I still need to schedule an annual chimney inspection and cleaning?” We hear this question frequently from our customers at Burlington Fireplace & Heating. The answer is simple: Yes. Even if you burn chimney sweep logs regularly, you could still have a chimney fire or suffer from carbon monoxide poisoning because […]