Who doesn't like walking into a home and discovering a cozy fireplace? This fixture is almost a must when one thinks of a nice holiday story, or reminiscence of older times. Not to mention that since the beginning of time, people have been comforted by the many benefits of a fire.
A wood burning fire place is a quick way to add value, not only monetary, but also aesthetically to your home. The crackling sound of the firewood as it slowly burns can calm anyone walking into the room and combining with the smell, feel and look of a burning fireplace not only calms the soul but allows relaxing warmth to penetrate the room and home.
All you need is to make sure you have a fireplace tool set to help keep the hearth area clear of ash and keep a good blaze going.
Other Fireplace Options
If you enjoy using your fireplace but don't like the associated energy costs, you might want to consider purchasing a fireplace insert. Depending on your preferences, there are many options you can choose from.
Wood Burning Fireplace Inserts are great for people who want to keep all the charm and ambiance of their wood fireplace, but reduce heat loss. For most gas fireplace inserts, you'll still need a functional chimney to allow for exhaust. Ventless gas fireplaces do exist, but you should follow the installation instructions very carefully to ensure that you protect the air supply inside your home.
Electric Fireplace Inserts, the least powerful of the inserts put out about as much heat as a space heater. The benefit of most electric fireplaces is that you can plug them in just about anywhere, even in homes without an existing fireplace.
You can consider, switching to wood stove inserts if you want to cut back on cost of heating your home. Pellet stove inserts are also an option you can consider. These pellets are very clean, unlike loads of wood that often leave bark, leaves, and shavings behind. They come in bags, and can be easily stacked and stored indoors or in a shed or garage. They take up less space than wood also.
For Your Patio, Backyard or Pool
An outdoor fireplace can be an attractive centerpiece. They create a relaxing gathering place, where family and friends can spend time on winter and chilly nights.
Stone is the most preferable material for constructing an outdoor fireplace, as it is long-lasting and non-combustible. This versatile material can be well-shaped and designed to suit any outdoor setting, both contemporary and classic.
Outdoor stone fireplaces can reduce overheating and thus prevents fire hazards and are easier to install and clean when compared to other outdoor fireplaces. Even though wood burning stone fireplace is cheaper and attractive, it can cause air pollution due to the excess output of carbon monoxide and other hazardous gases. The outdoor gas fireplace is using propane or natural gas is gaining popularity.
Once the design has been decided and your fireplace is up and running you'll be able to enjoy the many benefits of it for years to come. Just imagine all the fun you can have either a relaxing evening alone gazing into the fire, a romantic evening for two, or cozy evening with family and friends.
About the Author
Thinking of heating up your home for the chilly months? Here are some tips on how to choose the right fireplace.
Showing posts with label home heaters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home heaters. Show all posts
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Top 10 Electric Space Heater Safety Tips by Sam Streubel
Approximately 7% of residential house fires are associated with electric and propane space heaters according to the CDC and the Consumer Products Safety commission.
The overwhelming majority of space heater accidents are the result of improper use, failure to follow the manufacturer's instructions, or incomplete knowledge of basic space heater safety.
The following safety tips are a medley of conventional wisdom, reader ideas, and some of my own.
1. Make sure the space heater is UL (Underwriter's Laboratory) listed.
2. Only purchase newer model heaters that have all of the current safety features like overheat protection and a tip-over switch.
3. Locate the space heater on a level surface away from foot traffic.
4. Keep at least 3 feet away from combustible items such as drapes and furniture. This is the number one cause of space heater fires.
5. Don't use the space heater as a dryer for clothing, wet towels,etc.
6. If you have little ones running around put the space heater into one of those scissor-like kiddie corrals so the kids can't get at it or buy a space heater capable of wall mounting. A number of micathermic heaters can be mounted on the wall but some models have been known to pose safety hazards; take care to read the reviews.
7. Although some space heaters are sold as waterproof I don't recommend their use in bathrooms. However, if you need to warm up the bathroom you can still plug the space heater in a few minutes before you plan on bathing and then remove it.
8. Personally, I would never use one of those skinny brown Christmas tree type extension cords for a space heater. Plug the heater directly into a wall outlet or better yet, use a power strip between the space heater and outlet.
Most electric space heaters draw 12.5 amps on a typical 15 amp household circuit so you don't have much spare capacity for additional appliances.
9. Using a power strip will protect both the space heater and your home's wiring from power surges and overloaded circuits. Many new space heaters, much like TV's and cell phone chargers, are still on even when not in use. The use of a power strip will enable you to shut the power to appliances completely off when you go to bed or leave the house.
The ability to shut the power off completely also means a reduction in "phantom loads," or the electricity consumed by "always on" appliances. It's good for the environment and your pocketbook too.
10. If your small space heater is running on the same electrical circuit as your home computer, plug the space heater into a separate power strip.
About the Author
Put your new found wisdom to work at Sam's Guide to Small Space Heaters
The overwhelming majority of space heater accidents are the result of improper use, failure to follow the manufacturer's instructions, or incomplete knowledge of basic space heater safety.
The following safety tips are a medley of conventional wisdom, reader ideas, and some of my own.
1. Make sure the space heater is UL (Underwriter's Laboratory) listed.
2. Only purchase newer model heaters that have all of the current safety features like overheat protection and a tip-over switch.
3. Locate the space heater on a level surface away from foot traffic.
4. Keep at least 3 feet away from combustible items such as drapes and furniture. This is the number one cause of space heater fires.
5. Don't use the space heater as a dryer for clothing, wet towels,etc.
6. If you have little ones running around put the space heater into one of those scissor-like kiddie corrals so the kids can't get at it or buy a space heater capable of wall mounting. A number of micathermic heaters can be mounted on the wall but some models have been known to pose safety hazards; take care to read the reviews.
7. Although some space heaters are sold as waterproof I don't recommend their use in bathrooms. However, if you need to warm up the bathroom you can still plug the space heater in a few minutes before you plan on bathing and then remove it.
8. Personally, I would never use one of those skinny brown Christmas tree type extension cords for a space heater. Plug the heater directly into a wall outlet or better yet, use a power strip between the space heater and outlet.
Most electric space heaters draw 12.5 amps on a typical 15 amp household circuit so you don't have much spare capacity for additional appliances.
9. Using a power strip will protect both the space heater and your home's wiring from power surges and overloaded circuits. Many new space heaters, much like TV's and cell phone chargers, are still on even when not in use. The use of a power strip will enable you to shut the power to appliances completely off when you go to bed or leave the house.
The ability to shut the power off completely also means a reduction in "phantom loads," or the electricity consumed by "always on" appliances. It's good for the environment and your pocketbook too.
10. If your small space heater is running on the same electrical circuit as your home computer, plug the space heater into a separate power strip.
About the Author
Put your new found wisdom to work at Sam's Guide to Small Space Heaters
Saturday, October 10, 2009
A Patio Without An Outdoor Patio Heater? by Kenny F Leichester
Any outdoors lover will tell you how important an outdoor patio heater is to their homes especially when the weather becomes so cold that spending time outdoors starts to get uncomfortable. When you are cold and shivering, it becomes hard to spend time outdoors freely and the only way to overcome that is with the use of a heater to keep the air outside warm enough for you to spend some time outdoors without worrying that you'll catch a cold. For the home, one of the popular types of heaters you can come across these days is the umbrella or mushroom type of heater.
All summer you have worked hard to make your patio look beautiful. You have spent many lovely hours beneath the outdoor umbrellas you have so enthusiastically bought. You have new patio chaises and tables as well. All will be in vain if you do not get an outdoor patio heater now. Staying out of doors without any heating facility now will amount to committing hara-kiri. Ok, I am exaggerating, but you sure will be inviting pneumonia that way.
Outdoor patio heaters are quite common these days. Anybody who has an open space and is in love with nature must have got one. Look around and you will probably find one on your neighbour's terrace. You must have seen them in the hotels and restaurants, especially those that have outdoor facilities. Of course, the ones you have seen in the public buildings are bigger and more powerful than the ones you will need at home. It is imperative to know the different types of outdoor patio heaters available to make the right choice:
1. According to the fuel they use, you can classify the outdoor patio heater into three different categories. Among them, the electrically operated heaters are the most convenient for the obvious reason. All you need to do is to switch them on. However, the ones that run on natural gas like LPG or propane are no less convenient because they too can be electrically switched on. Chimenea, which uses wood as fuel can also be easily ignited with paper or small pieces of wood. However, you need to keep the supply of fuel in mind in the last two cases. That is the only difference.
2. Next, decide if you would like to have a portable heater or a permanent structure that is mounted on a wall, on a ceiling or on the ground. Portable ones have their advantage. You can take it wherever you need it. If on the other hand, the space is small, you can use a heater that is mounted either on the wall or on the ceiling. It will keep an area of 15' to 20' around it warm and cosy. However, most of the mounted heaters run on electricity.
3. Read the user manual carefully. If it needs installation, have it professionally done to avoid mishap. Mishandling too may cause severe accidents.
4. Place the outdoor patio heater against a wall or similar structure to get optimum benefit. This will make sure that the heat waves produced by it are not driven away from you by the wind.
As I said, there are different types of outdoor patio heaters. All of them have one basic function; that is to heat up your patio. However, some of them have some added benefits as well. Take a chimenea for example. These heaters use pinion wood as fuel. Such wood has a pleasant pine aroma, which also helps to repel mosquitoes and other flying insects. Buy a table heater if your patio is small. These are regular outdoor heaters that run on natural gas, propane or electricity, but can double as a table.
Therefore, find out what exactly you want. Look at all the available models as well and find the one that matches your need most. All the heaters more or less raise the temperature by 15 to 25 degree F with in a radius of 15' to 20'. Yet, if you look carefully, you will find some that will stand out from the rest. They will have one or two added features that will make it more attractive. There is a palm tree shaped heater, which provides a 25 ft circle of warmth when you need it. It can also waft off a cool mist from its copper-coated palm leaves to cool your hot summer days.
That is why it is important to look around. You can do that by surfing the net or by visiting each shop that sells that outdoor patio heater. Nonetheless, do that before you decide on one.
About the Author
Kenny Leichester is a foremost expert in the interior design industry specializing in the outdoor or patio settings using patio furniture, patio umbrellas, outdoor cushions, patio heaters, patio lighting and so on to create exquisitely beautiful layout. His work on teak furniture are widely distributed and is a regular contributor to PatioShoppers.com.
All summer you have worked hard to make your patio look beautiful. You have spent many lovely hours beneath the outdoor umbrellas you have so enthusiastically bought. You have new patio chaises and tables as well. All will be in vain if you do not get an outdoor patio heater now. Staying out of doors without any heating facility now will amount to committing hara-kiri. Ok, I am exaggerating, but you sure will be inviting pneumonia that way.
Outdoor patio heaters are quite common these days. Anybody who has an open space and is in love with nature must have got one. Look around and you will probably find one on your neighbour's terrace. You must have seen them in the hotels and restaurants, especially those that have outdoor facilities. Of course, the ones you have seen in the public buildings are bigger and more powerful than the ones you will need at home. It is imperative to know the different types of outdoor patio heaters available to make the right choice:
1. According to the fuel they use, you can classify the outdoor patio heater into three different categories. Among them, the electrically operated heaters are the most convenient for the obvious reason. All you need to do is to switch them on. However, the ones that run on natural gas like LPG or propane are no less convenient because they too can be electrically switched on. Chimenea, which uses wood as fuel can also be easily ignited with paper or small pieces of wood. However, you need to keep the supply of fuel in mind in the last two cases. That is the only difference.
2. Next, decide if you would like to have a portable heater or a permanent structure that is mounted on a wall, on a ceiling or on the ground. Portable ones have their advantage. You can take it wherever you need it. If on the other hand, the space is small, you can use a heater that is mounted either on the wall or on the ceiling. It will keep an area of 15' to 20' around it warm and cosy. However, most of the mounted heaters run on electricity.
3. Read the user manual carefully. If it needs installation, have it professionally done to avoid mishap. Mishandling too may cause severe accidents.
4. Place the outdoor patio heater against a wall or similar structure to get optimum benefit. This will make sure that the heat waves produced by it are not driven away from you by the wind.
As I said, there are different types of outdoor patio heaters. All of them have one basic function; that is to heat up your patio. However, some of them have some added benefits as well. Take a chimenea for example. These heaters use pinion wood as fuel. Such wood has a pleasant pine aroma, which also helps to repel mosquitoes and other flying insects. Buy a table heater if your patio is small. These are regular outdoor heaters that run on natural gas, propane or electricity, but can double as a table.
Therefore, find out what exactly you want. Look at all the available models as well and find the one that matches your need most. All the heaters more or less raise the temperature by 15 to 25 degree F with in a radius of 15' to 20'. Yet, if you look carefully, you will find some that will stand out from the rest. They will have one or two added features that will make it more attractive. There is a palm tree shaped heater, which provides a 25 ft circle of warmth when you need it. It can also waft off a cool mist from its copper-coated palm leaves to cool your hot summer days.
That is why it is important to look around. You can do that by surfing the net or by visiting each shop that sells that outdoor patio heater. Nonetheless, do that before you decide on one.
About the Author
Kenny Leichester is a foremost expert in the interior design industry specializing in the outdoor or patio settings using patio furniture, patio umbrellas, outdoor cushions, patio heaters, patio lighting and so on to create exquisitely beautiful layout. His work on teak furniture are widely distributed and is a regular contributor to PatioShoppers.com.
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