Old Smokey's Fireplace & Chimney's Blog

Are You Interested in a Stove or Insert? Look at our choices

Everyone needs a little change in their lives every now and then, and your home is no different. Adding a new heating appliance to your home will allow you to better control how heat is distributed in your home. Furthermore, a new heating appliance can add a wonderful touch of ambiance to your living areas and help reduce the amount of work needed to enjoy a fire. At Old Smokey’s, we have a wide variety of stoves and inserts that can help supplement your home’s heating needs and add a touch of beauty to your home. If you are in the market for a change, come check out all that we have to offer today!

The stoves and inserts that we offer are top of the line. We sell stoves and inserts that come from popular manufacturers like Regency, Lopi, and Xtrordinair. These manufacturers have a proven record of decades of quality and elegance and are consistently considered some of the the top brands in the world. At Old Smokey’s we want to make sure you have access to only the best appliances and when you visit our showroom, we’re sure that you’ll be impressed with the selection that we have to offer.

The stoves that we offer.

At Old Smokey’s, we offer a wide variety of stoves for our customers. Stoves are great heating appliances because they can easily installed almost anywhere in your home, they give your home a nice rustic ambiance, they are efficient, and they produce a lot of heat. If you are thinking about buying a stove, one thing you’ll need to consider is how much heat you want to produce. Heat production can vary depending on the type of stove you buy. Although all of our stoves produce heat, depending on the size of the firebox and they fuel type, some stoves are better suited to heat larger areas, while some stoves are perfect for heating a small room.

Another thing that you need to consider is efficiency. Stoves are typically a lot more efficient than a fireplace. Also, newer stoves are becoming more and more efficient. This can help homeowners in a number of ways. First, you are getting a lot more bang for your buck. If more of the fuel you are burning is going towards producing heat, you won’t be using as much fuel. Fuel savings can start to add up very quickly. Efficient heating appliances are also better for the environment, which, depending on where you live, can lead to rebates or tax credits.

The Inserts that we offer.

Inserts are perfect for the homeowner that already has a fireplace that isn’t being used, or has a fireplace that they want to change the fuel type of. An insert is basically a shell with a burning unit in it. This shell is placed into an already existing fireplace, essentially replacing the firebox. This is a great option if you are looking to switch the type of fuel that you want to use in your fireplace. Inserts also come in a wide variety of options depending on your heating needs and efficiency requirements.

Fuel Types

One of the most important things that needs to be considered when buying either a stove or an insert is the type of fuel that you want to use. In general, there are three main fuel types that we offer for stoves and inserts: wood, gas, and pellets. The type of fuel that you’ll use will be dependent on availability of that fuel in your area, the cost, and the amount of effort you want to put into it.

Wood fuel is a popular choice because it burns hot and it creates an ambiance that can’t easily be replicated by other types of fuels. Many people desire the smells, the soft crackling, and the warm glow that wood fires have to offer. Wood is also an excellent fuel source if you live close to timber and get it cheap. Another great reason to install a wood-burning appliance is that you can use it off the grid. This means that if something happens to your electric or gas lines, you will still be able to keep your home warm. The main downside of using wood is that it takes more work than other fuel sources to use. You need to chop, collect, store, dry, and haul wood to create a fire. Also, once you are done burning, there is more clean-up involved with wood fires compared to a gas-burning appliance.

Gas fuel is also popular because of its ease of use. Usually, to start a gas appliance, it only takes turning on a switch. However, gas appliances need to be connected to a pipe, so if your gas goes out, so does your heat. Also, the need to connect to a gas line can limit the number of places you can install a gas appliance.

Pellets are another good option. Made from compressed wood, pellets put out a ton of heat. This also makes them a cheap source of fuel. One issue with pellets is that they automatically feed the fire with a conveyor system, and if the electricity goes out, it can be difficult to constantly keep feeding your fire.

At Old Smokey’s we have a number of appliance and fuel type combinations. If you’re in the market for a brand new stove or insert, come down to our showroom at 220 W State Street in Ashley, Indiana. Or you can call us to see what options would work best for your living area at 260-587-9691 or schedule an appointment online. We would love to hear from you, so don’t hesitate and come see us today!

Different Types of Heating Appliances

If you have ever lived in the Northern regions of the United States, you know that having an appliance to heat your home is a necessity. Here in northern Indiana, northern Ohio, or mid-Michigan region especially, temperatures can get well below zero, and living without heat can be hazardous. There are a large number of heating appliances available to homeowners, so it’s important to know the difference between the types. Some heating appliances are better at being a primary heat source than others, while others are better for heating small rooms or being supplementary heating sources. The type of fuel you want to use can also play a large role in the appliance that works best for you. At Old Smokey’s we want to make sure that you pick the right type of heating element for your home. That’s why we want to share with you our guide on the differences in heating appliances that we offer.

Fuel Type

Choosing the type of fuel that you want to use is a good first step to choosing the type of appliance you’ll want to get. There are three main types that heating appliances use: wood, gas, or pellets. Each one of these fuel types has its advantages depending on your situation.

Wood – Most people enjoy using wood as a fuel because of the aesthetic value that it adds to a home. There is no other fuel type that creates a warm glow, the natural aroma, and soft crackling sounds that a wood fire creates. Also, if you live close to a woodland or don’t mind gathering your own wood, you can heat your home for very cheap. Another benefit of having a wood-burning appliance is that you can use it “off the grid”. Unlike gas or pellet appliances, your fuel source doesn’t need gas lines or electricity to work. If you live in a location prone to winter power outages, wood-burning appliances won’t leave you stuck in the cold.

Gas – Gas is preferred by homeowners who want the ease of use in a heating appliance. Using wood fuel is a lot of work if you are chopping, stacking, and hauling it. Then there is the added work of building and starting a fire. Gas appliances can be started with a push of a button, making them very handy. Also, gas burns a lot cleaner meaning your fireplace and chimney won’t get nearly as messy as it would with wood fuel.

Pellets – Pellets are kind of middle of the road. Wood pellets are little pieces of compressed wood that can be fed into your appliance by a small auger. They will give you the warmth of a wood fire, but since the system is self-feeding, you don’t have to worry about constantly adding logs.

Appliances

Once you have a fuel type picked, you need to choose the type of appliance you would like to use. There are three main types of appliances that we offer at Old Smokey’s: fireplaces, inserts, and stoves. Although all three of these appliances would make a wonderful addition to a home, it really depends on your situation what type is best for you.

Fireplaces – Fireplaces make a wonderful addition to any home. At Old Smokey’s, we offer a wide range of prefabricated fireplaces that can add a touch of warmth and elegance to your home. There are two types of fireplaces that we offer, gas and wood. Prefabricated fireplaces are great because you can place them anywhere in your home that you have access to gas and ventilation. You can also make your fireplace the centerpiece of your home’s decor. There is such a wide variety of materials and accessories available with fireplaces, whether you are looking for a rustic, elegant, or classic design, it’s easy to customize the look that you’ll be happy with. The only downside to a fireplace is that some designs, especially open hearth and gas log designs, don’t offer the heating efficiency of stoves or inserts.

Stoves – Stoves offer a classic look that looks great in most homes. Stoves are designed for efficiency, so if you are looking to get the most bang out of your buck out of your fuel, they are the appliance for you. All the stoves that we offer here at Old Smokey’s offer the highest of energy standards. You’ll stay warm and save money this winter with a new wood, gas, or pellet stove from Old Smokey’s.

Inserts – Inserts are great if you already have an existing fireplace that doesn’t operate well, or doesn’t burn the type of fuel that you would like. An insert is a firebox that is inserted into an already existing fireplace, essentially replacing the firebox. Inserts are very efficient and are designed to push hot air into your living area, instead of up and out of your chimney. An insert can use either wood, gas, or pellets for a fuel source. If you want to change your old open hearth wood fireplace into a high-efficiency appliance that will burn the fuel of your choosing, an insert may be perfect for you.

At Old Smokeys, we want you to be happy with the way you choose to heat your home. If you are in the market for a new heating appliance, we offer a large variety for you to choose from! If you live in northern Indiana, northern Ohio, or mid-Michigan region, you can reach us at 800-876-6539 or 260-587-9691, or schedule an in-home appointment with a heating expert. You can also visit our showroom at 220 W State Street, Ashley, IN 46705 to visit one of our knowledgeable staff. We look forward to helping you and from our home to yours, happy holidays!