While the actual fireplace unit installed in your home is very important for your final product, it’s not the only element to consider here. You may also be utilizing a number of fireplace accessories, which refer to anything besides the actual physical fireplace unit, and having some basic knowledge on these other accessories can be very important as you both set up and maintain your fireplace.

At Comfort Solutions Fireplace, it’s our pleasure to assist clients with all their accessory needs, whether you’re purchasing a gas fireplace, electric fireplace or any of our other custom fireplace options. What are some of the most common accessories utilized in or around fireplaces, and what should you know about them as you’re getting your setup organized? This two-part blog series will go over everything you need to know, going in somewhat alphabetical order to keep things simple.

Base

Mostly utilized for wood stoves and similar units, a base is a platform that your stove will sit on top of. It’s important to make sure that this platform is level, as an unlevel stove can result in damage to the unit or your home. The base also needs to be large enough to give the unit plenty of clearance on all sides – at least 18 inches is ideal, but more may be necessary depending on the size and design of your stove.

Blowers

One of the most important accessories for various fireplace styles, a blower helps to circulate heat throughout the room by pushing air out of the stove and into the room. Blowers can be manual or automatic, and many newer models come with a thermostat that will turn the blower on and off as needed to maintain a consistent temperature.

In many cases, blowers will also simply be called fans. It’s important to note that blowers themselves do not create any additional heat, but rather simply help circulate the heat around.

Burners

For gas fireplaces, a burner is an essential component as it’s what actually produces the flames. Different styles of fireplaces will utilize different types of burners, so it’s important to consult with a professional to ensure you’re using the right type for your unit. Additionally, the size of the burner will also be a factor to consider.

Faceplate

For both gas fireplaces and gas inserts, a faceplate is the trim that goes around the opening of the unit. This can be made from a number of different materials, including wood, metal or stone, and its purpose is both aesthetic and functional. Not only does it help give your fireplace a finished look, but it also serves to protect the unit from any debris or other elements that could potentially cause damage.

In part two of our series, we’ll go over some further fireplace accessories to be aware of. For more on this, or to learn about any of our fireplace products or services, speak to the staff at Comfort Solutions Fireplace today.

In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some basics on why spring fireplace maintenance is important for many fireplace owners, plus how to get started with doing so if you own a wood-burning fireplace. Maintenance is important for everything from fireplace efficiency to long-term lifespan, and transitional seasons like spring are often an ideal time to carry them out.

At Comfort Solutions Fireplace, we offer not only a wide selection of various fireplace options, but also elite fireplace repairs and service to keep your equipment in good shape at all times. What are some tips we regularly offer clients (or assist them with) when it comes to gas and electric fireplaces and spring maintenance? Here’s a rundown.

Gas Fireplace Spring Upkeep

Here are some of the areas to be considering for gas fireplace upkeep:

  • Checking for gas leaks: One of the most important things you can do for your gas fireplace is to make sure there are no leaks in the system. You’ll want to inspect all of the tubing and seals to make sure they’re tight and not showing any signs of wear or damage that could lead to a leak.
  • Cleaning the burner: Another key area of focus is the burner itself. Over time, it can become clogged with soot and debris, which can impact both the efficiency of your fireplace and the quality of the flames.
  • Check your gas logs: If you have gas logs in your fireplace, it’s also important to give them a good once-over to make sure they’re in good condition. Look for any cracks or damage that could cause problems down the line.
  • Cleaning glass doors: The glass doors on a gas fireplace can also become coated in soot and debris over time, which can impact both the look of your fireplace and its efficiency.
  • Thermopile and thermocouple: Finally, be sure to check your fireplace’s thermopile and thermocouple. These are important components that help to regulate the flow of gas to your fireplace, and they can occasionally need to be replaced.

Electric Fireplace Spring Upkeep

If you own an electric fireplace, here are some of the areas to look at:

  • Check electrical connections and circuitry: The first thing you’ll want to do is make sure all of the electrical connections and circuitry in your fireplace are in good working order. This includes everything from the wiring to the switch.
  • Cleaning the heating element: The next step is to clean the heating element. This is what actually produces the heat in an electric fireplace, and it can become clogged with dust and debris over time.
  • Cleaning the glass: Just like with a gas fireplace, the glass on an electric fireplace can also become coated in soot and debris, which can impact both the look of your fireplace and its efficiency.
  • Inspecting the blower: The blower is a key component in an electric fireplace, as it helps to circulate the air and distribute the heat. Be sure to inspect it regularly to make sure it’s in good working order.

These are just a few of the things to keep in mind when it comes to spring fireplace maintenance for gas and electric fireplaces. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, be sure to contact our team at Comfort Solutions Fireplace for assistance!

While homeowners everywhere regularly consider a few major home maintenance areas during the spring period, such as HVAC, plumbing or other areas, the fireplace sometimes goes under-discussed here. While it may not require the same kind of detailed care that your air conditioner does headed into summer, necessarily, there are a few simple areas you can consider here as you transition from one season to another.

At Comfort Solutions Fireplace, we’re proud to not only offer a huge range of fireplace options for our Utah clients, but also to provide high-quality fireplace repair and service to ensure your fireplace is in great shape year-round. This two-part blog series will look into why spring fireplace maintenance matters, plus some basic tips to consider for the various fireplace types out there — whether you do so on your own or with help from our fireplace service professionals.

Why Spring Fireplace Maintenance Matters

As we noted above, your fireplace doesn’t necessarily fall into the same category as other vital home components like the air conditioner or water heater when it comes to maintenance. However, there are a few key reasons why spring fireplace maintenance can be important as you look ahead to using your fireplace less and less in the coming months.

For one, this is a great time of year to assess any damage that may have occurred to your fireplace during the winter season. This might include cracks in the fireplace itself, damage to the chimney or flue, or any other areas where water or debris may have gotten in and caused problems. Spring is also a good time to check for any animals that may have made their way into your fireplace over the winter months and take steps to remove them and repair any damage they may have caused.

Wood Fireplace Spring Upkeep

Here are some basic tips on areas to look at when you’re performing spring upkeep on your wood fireplace:

  • Chimney sweep: This is one of the most important things you can do for your wood fireplace, and it’s best to do it at least once a year. This will help remove any soot, creosote or debris that has built up over the past year and could potentially cause problems down the road.
  • Inspect the firebox: Take a look at the firebox itself to check for any cracks, gaps or other damage. These areas can let heat escape and also allow water and debris to enter, so it’s important to repair them as soon as possible.
  • Inspect the flue: The flue is the pipe that carries smoke and fumes up and out of your fireplace, and it’s important to make sure it’s in good working condition. Check for any cracks, blockages or other damage and repair or replace as necessary.
  • Basic cleaning: In addition to the above, you’ll also want to do some basic cleaning of your fireplace. This includes sweeping the hearth, removing any debris from the firebox and wiping down the outside of the fireplace.

In part two of our series, we’ll go over some tips for gas and electric fireplaces and their springtime maintenance. For more on this, or to learn about any of our fireplace products or services in Utah, speak to the team at Comfort Solutions Fireplace today.

In part one of this two-part blog series, we looked at some primary basics on how fireplace blowers work and what they do. These are important components that usually come included as part of a new fireplace purchase, circulating air around the firebox to minimize heat output and keep the area warm.

At Comfort Solutions Fireplace, we’re happy to detail the components of any of our fireplaces, including our custom fireplace designs that we create for clients. While part one of our series went over the basics on blowers and what they do, today’s part two will go into some common questions we get from clients about blowers, and the simple answers to them.

Can a Fireplace Run Without a Blower?

Absolutely. Blowers are on the exterior of a fireplace, meaning they have no impact on elements like fuel efficiency, drafting or how the fireplace itself actually works. Blowers are simply powered by either batteries or an external power source, and can be turned on or off as needed.

Keep in mind that because blowers move air around the firebox, they will also impact how much heat is outputted from the fireplace. So if you’re looking to maximize heat output, you may want to consider running the fireplace without a blower.

Can a Blower Be Added to a Current Fireplace

What if you already have a fireplace, but it didn’t come with a blower? In nearly all cases it’s possible to have a blower retroactively installed, but this depends on the model of fireplace and other factors. It’s always best to consult with a professional like Comfort Solutions Fireplace to see if a blower can be added before making any decisions, but especially in today’s realm of modern fireplaces, the answer is almost always yes.

We strongly recommend clients sourcing new fireplaces come with blower options — even if you aren’t going to purchase a blower immediately, knowing you have the option to do so in the future is always valuable.

Are Blowers Loud?

Not at all. Most fireplace blowers create about the same amount of noise as a standard home fan, which is to say they’re not noticeable unless you’re standing right next to the fireplace. The sound produced by a blower is a gentle hum, and can actually help muffle any popping or crackling sounds that come from a wood-burning fireplace.

Blowers are available in different speeds, so if noise is a concern you can always opt for a lower-speed blower that produces less sound.

How Much Does a Blower Cost?

Prices on fireplace blowers vary depending on the model of fireplace, but they typically range from $100 to $200. This will also depend on whether you’re looking for a battery-powered blower or one that plugs into an external power source.

Installing a blower is a simple process that can be done by almost anyone, or you can always hire a professional to do it for you.

For more on fireplace blowers and their importance, or to learn about any of our fireplace products or solutions, contact the team at Comfort Solutions Fireplace today.

Fireplaces are often used for major warmth needs in addition to their fantastic aesthetics, and there are a few fireplace components that will play a role here. One of these that’s very important to understand and maintain: Fireplace blowers, also known as fireplace fans.

At Comfort Solutions Fireplace, we’re proud to offer a wide variety of both traditional and modern fireplaces, from wood-burning options to gas, electric and more. Blowers and fans are utilized in many of our models, and we’re happy to discuss the precise details here with clients so they understand what they’re getting. What are fireplace blowers, how do they work, and what else do you need to know about them for your fireplace? This two-part blog series will go over a number of themes.

Fireplace Blower Basics

As we alluded to above, a fireplace blower refers to a type of fan that will be mounted, either on the outside of the fireplace or within the unit, but still outside the actual firebox. The primary purpose of the blower is to circulate air around the firebox and into the room – this helps maximize heat output and keep the area around the fireplace warm.

In most cases, a blower will be included as part of the purchase of a new fireplace, though it’s worth checking to make sure if you’re considering an older model. One of the best parts about fireplace blowers: They don’t increase the fireplace’s actual BTU output at all, instead relying on physics to help heat the air. So, if you’re looking for a way to boost your fireplace’s warmth without doing any upgrades, adding a blower is definitely the way to go!

How Do They Work?

Now that we know what they are and what they do, let’s take a look at how fireplace blowers work. The process begins by the blower pulling air from the room it’s in, then forcing it through a channel that runs alongside the firebox. The air then enters the firebox itself, where it’s warmed by the flames and exits out the top of the unit.

Once the air is heated, it’s forced back into the room through two main channels: One above the fireplace that distributes heat evenly around the room, and one below that helps prevent cold drafts from coming into the room. The blower will continue to cycle air through the fireplace, providing a steady stream of warmth to the room.

As this continues to happen, previously heated air gets replaced by new, colder air, so it’s important to make sure your fireplace blower is functioning properly at all times. If you’re not seeing the results you expect in terms of warmth, it might be time for a tune-up.

In part two of our series, we’ll go over some additional themes — fireplace blower noise levels, whether you can add a blower to an existing fireplace, and whether your fireplace really needs a blower at all.

For more on this, or to learn about any of our fireplace options, speak to the team at Comfort Solutions Fireplace today.

When you’re considering a new fireplace or upgrading your current one, a term you may hear somewhat often is “non-combustible.” Generally used to describe the primary materials that make up your fireplace setup, non-combustible materials allow for excessive amounts of heat to be maintained without sustaining any damage — and as you can imagine, they’re very important for your fireplace.

At Comfort Solutions Fireplace, non-combustible materials are a common subject when discussing our fantastic fireplaces with our Utah clients, from modern gas fireplaces to traditional fireplaces, fireplace inserts and more. What exactly does this term mean, what is “combustible clearance” for your fireplace, and are there options out there that don’t require any such clearance? We’ll go over that and more in this two-part blog series.

Non-Combustible Fireplace Materials

As we touched on above, non-combustible fireplace materials refer to those that are capable of withstanding high levels of heat without sustaining any damage. Materials like sheet metal, cement board and tile are all examples of non-combustible materials that are commonly used in fireplace construction to ensure the safety of both the people who own them and their property.

With fireplace inserts, for example, there is a very important distinction between a “non-combustible fireplace” and a “direct-vent fireplace.” The former is capable of achieving its high temperatures without requiring any combustible clearance from the material around it, which means it doesn’t require a direct connection to the combustion air to achieve those temperatures. On the other hand, a direct-vent fireplace requires specific materials surrounding it to ensure its fires will not produce any contaminants that could prove dangerous.

Some examples of non-combustible fireplace materials include sheet metal, cement board, tile, stainless steel and cast iron. These are often very expensive when compared to materials like brick or concrete block, but offer superior safety ratings in the case of an accidental fire.

Why Non-Combustible Materials Are Needed

Fireplaces create significant heat, which means the materials surrounding them will be exposed to some pretty high temperatures. A gas fireplace insert in particular can reach up to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit when in use, which is significantly hotter than traditional fireplaces that only attain a maximum of 1500 degrees during use.

While these temperatures are not by any means hot enough to burn your house down in most cases, it’s still hot enough to significantly damage or warp non-combustible materials like sheet metal and wood-based materials. If you were to build a fireplace out of non-combustible materials but neglect to account for the appropriate clearance around it, your walls would be plagued with warping and cracks made worse by the heat exposure. With proper materials, though, these won’t be risks you have to worry about.

In part two of our series, we’ll go over “clearance” concepts that relate to this area, plus your options for limited or even zero-clearance fireplaces if desired. For more on this or any of our fireplace services in Utah, speak to the staff at Comfort Solutions Fireplace today.