Burlington Fireplace & Solar Blog

A lot of components go into a fully functional fireplace and chimney system.  One component that’s often overlooked is the chimney cap, which sits atop the opening of the chimney and serves several purposes.  It’s never advised to operate a fireplace without a chimney cap in place, so if your chimney doesn’t have one, here’s some information you need to know. 5 reasons to install […]

Although gas fireplaces are known for efficient clean burning fuel, they do need to be regularly maintained just like any other type of heating appliance. There are a variety of components including the burner, logs and grate, that can become damaged, clogged or wear out during normal use. Also, particles of soot can build-up on the surfaces inside the firebox, on the doors […]

Investing in solar is not only good for the environment, but it’s good for your wallet too. Rising utility costs and renewable energy tax credits are fueling an increase in solar consumption. In fact, solar consumption in the U.S. doubled during the three year period between 2013 and 2016, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA).   Also, the City of South Miami recently became […]

People buy gas fireplaces for several reasons, but the most popular reason is the efficient heat these units bring to a home.  If you’re thinking of purchasing a new gas fireplace – or converting your wood-burning fireplace to gas – here are some things you should know about these great heating appliances. Say goodbye to hassle Unlike their wood-burning counterparts, gas fireplaces are easy […]

As the name suggests, factory-built fireplaces are pre-fabricated quality heating appliances that are manufactured in a factory and mounted inside a surround when installed in the home. Since they are mass produced, they are less expensive then traditional masonry fireplaces. This has led to their rise in popularity. And if you own a newer home, your fireplace was probably built in a factory. GA factory-built fireplace will […]

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 […]