2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. Blog: Archive for the ‘Pellet Stoves’ Category

Do I Really Need Professional Chimney Cleaning for My Pellet Stove?

Monday, November 17th, 2014

Pellet stoves have become very popular, and for good reason. They offer great supplemental heat, burn with very little soot and emissions, and have long burn times. Because they produce so little ash and combustion byproducts, some people think that your chimney doesn’t need to be swept when using a pellet stove. This is not correct. Any type of wood burning you do with your fireplace and chimney results in the generation of creosote, soot and other combustion byproducts that need to be removed. As such, it is recommended, even with a pellet stove, that your pellet stove chimney in Savage is swept annually. Pellet stoves can be great additions to your home and help significantly with home heating. But like any other combustion stove, the chimney needs to be cleaned annually. If you need a chimney sweep, call us today!

Why Is Chimney Sweeping Important?

Here are a few reasons why it’s important to have your chimney swept each year:

  • Prevent a chimney fire – this is probably the most important reason to have your chimney swept. Creosote, soot and ash are all highly flammable, and can easily catch fire in your chimney, causing a chimney fire. Removing these contaminants significantly reduces the chances of this occurring.
  • Prevents corrosion of your chimney – not only are combustion byproducts flammable, they are highly acidic and eat away at both masonry and metal. Corroded chimneys can allow the release of toxic combustion fumes and gases, which can potentially dangerous.
  • Prevents drafting problems – if soot, ash and creosote are allowed to build, they can restrict the airflow in your chimney, making your stove less efficient and reducing its capacity to warm your home.
  • Allows for inspection of your chimney – a lot can go on inside a chimney that can cause myriad problems: animal and bird nests, cracked masonry, loose flue tiles, etc. Without a proper chimney cleaning, you won’t be able to see these problems and address them.

Chimney sweeping should only be handled by trained professionals, so if it’s been more than a year since your last chimney sweep, call 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc., today.

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Minneapolis Chimney Sweep Guide: Benefits of Pellet Stoves

Monday, September 17th, 2012

Pellet stoves are a viable option for many homeowners in the Minneapolis area – offering an alternative heating source that is independent of your gas lines and that can save you money over pricier fuel options in the winter. If you have been considering having a pellet stove installed in your home and would like to learn more about the specific benefits of doing so, here are a few of the many reasons why area homeowners have them installed.

Cost Benefits

The biggest benefits of a pellet stove are related to cost. A pellet stove costs less to install and offers a less expensive option for heating than gas furnaces or boilers – especially in colder climates. While the system does use electricity and you will need to purchase the wood pellets for your stove (possibly having them delivered depending on where you live in the Minneapolis area), the cost is still less than that of operating a gas powered heating system.

Other Benefits of a Pellet Stove

Beyond the cost benefits of a pellet stove there are a number of other reasons you might consider one a good fit for your home. To start, the system is self-contained, meaning there is a much lower risk of smoke and gas fumes entering your home during combustion than with other types of heating systems. There is much less ash as well and creosote is kept to a minimum, which makes cleaning easier and reduces the risk of a chimney fire.

The wood pellets these stoves run on are largely made from recycled materials as well, meaning this is a mostly green heating method and one that can save you a great deal of money over time. Due to the pellets being recycled, these stoves are often considered carbon neutral (though they do consume some small amount of electricity that isn’t factored into this).

Overall, a pellet stove is a good fit for many homes in Minneapolis, though it is important to have a professional inspect your space and help you determine if it is the right fit.

Remember, whether you have a pellet stove fireplace or a fireplace, regular chimney cleaning is needed to keep it functioning safely. Call the experts at 2nd Generation Chimneys for any chimney sweeping or fireplace installation in Minneapolis!

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Linwood Chimney and Fireplace Tips: What You Should Consider Before Installing a Pellet Stove

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

Pellet stoves can heat your Linwood home with some of the most efficient and clean energy available. Pellet fuel does not generate combustible gases or the other pollutants emitted by some of the more common fuels, such as wood or natural gas. Pellets are also made from renewable materials, such as recycled wood or organic waste materials, and this is partly why pellet stoves are so appealing and increasingly more common. Some manufacturers are even designing new pellet-burning furnaces and boilers, but pellet fuel is typically used in stoves and fireplace inserts. Before you start looking around for a new pellet stove to replace your old heating system, there are a few things you should consider.

In addition to providing highly efficient heat, pellet appliances are also convenient because they have a hopper that stores the fuel, and a feeding device that loads the fuel throughout the day. In most pellet appliances, the hopper only needs to be refueled once a day. However, this added feature also means that there are more components that can break, which may increase repair and maintenance costs. These devices also use electricity to operate, so you’ll want to factor in these additional costs when you are deciding whether or not to install a pellet stove. Another factor to consider is whether or not pellet fuel is accessible and affordable in your area. A quick Internet search will direct you to any suppliers near your home.

Most pellet appliance manufacturers also recommend that you install a stainless steel flue liner before installation. If you have a clay or tile liner, you should find out what size metal liner you’ll need and how much it will cost to re-line your chimney. Hiring a professional chimney technician to inspect your current flue and liner will also determine if your flue size and shape. This will let you know if you need a stainless steel liner that is made of flexible material and how much labor will be involved in cutting the liner to fit your chimney flue.

Depending on the age and condition of your current heating system, you may benefit from installing a pellet stove in your Linwood home. First you’ll need to compare the installation costs with how much you’ll get in energy savings. You can always call 2nd Generation Chimneys to speak with one of our chimney and fireplace experts about which heating system upgrade is the best choice for your heating needs.

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