Burlington Fireplace & Solar Blog

Today’s EPA-approved wood stoves are vastly more efficient than stoves of yesteryear, but you still need to know how to start a fire. Many people consider the primitive act of getting a blaze started a legitimate challenge, even among those who watched the hit Tom Hanks movie Cast Away. One of the more memorable scenes […]

For homeowners wanting to reduce their carbon footprint and lower electricity bills, solar panels are a wise investment. And with advancements in technology, the cost to acquire solar has been significantly reduced. This led California to become the first state in the nation to make solar panels mandatory for new home construction. But before investing […]

While your family is enjoying the warmth of a crackling fire, your chimney is hard at work venting soot, smoke and other contaminants from your fireplace or stove. But creosote buildup, obstructions, cracks in the flue, damaged chimney flashing and missing bricks are some of the common issues that can lead to fire and health […]

Have you ever had rats or mice that you didn’t own inside your house? It’s a pretty unnerving sight to see a rodent scampering across the floor and disappearing into a closet or under a couch. If you live in an area that has its share of rodents roaming around outside, we’ve got a few […]

There is nothing cozier than sitting by the fireplace on a cold winter night with the sounds of a crackling fire filling the room. But traditional masonry fireplaces are rather inefficient pushing as much as 85% of the generated heat out the chimney, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  Here’s why you should consider installing an EPA-certified fireplace insert in time for […]

It’s well-known among Realtors that fireplaces are high on the list of amenities homebuyers have a keen interest in.  Something else many buyers are interested in is efficient heating and ways of cutting down on heating expenses.  For these buyers, a traditional masonry wood-burning fireplace may not be a coveted amenity, because these units are anything but efficient and not even a very good source of supplemental heat. If you’re […]

The largest segment of the U.S. population is made up of senior citizens age 65 and over, and the majority of them believe solar energy is a good thing. Retired homeowners are often at risk for foreclosure on their home, due to the struggles of living on a fixed income. An effective cost-cutting solution that many seniors have discovered is the use of solar […]

The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) plans to tighten emissions standards is being met with resistance from wood heater manufacturers. In 2015, the EPA made significant regulatory changes to the residential wood heating appliance industry when it required limited emissions from wood heaters to 4.5 grams/hour. It was the first major change in pollution standards since […]

With the rising cost of energy, many homeowners are going solar to reduce energy costs. And homeowners are finding that going solar in the spring or summer when the sun is at its strongest in the northern hemisphere, can harness more of the sun’s natural energy when energy usage is at its peak. The cost […]

Homeowners are right to expect fireplace smoke to go up their chimney and not into the room. Unfortunately, however, smoky fireplaces are not uncommon. Smokiness spoils the terrific ambiance that makes fireplaces such a pleasure in freezing weather. It’s a nuisance and can be a health threat. There are many different causes of a smoky […]