Bluemax ARA Assoc

• Electric Fireplaces
• Electric Fireplace Inserts
• Dimplex Electric Fireplaces
• Classic Flame Electric Fireplaces
• Entertainment Center Electric Fireplaces

There are many people that name a fireplace as a necessity when building or buying a new home. The romantic ambiance and warmth are a luxury in the master bedroom and/or bathroom, while the crackling sounds and aroma create a warm, cozy glow in the family room. Not to mention the focal point that the fireplace creates with the hearth and mantle adding a certain atmosphere to a room as well. Fireplaces are a gathering place during holiday celebrations and cold, rainy days. The reasons are endless why someone would want one in their home. However, as environmental issues are growing concerns in the United States, wood burning fireplaces most certainly have to be included on the list of major pollutants. For this reason, you might want to consider the implications and alternatives to wood-burning fireplaces.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, wood-burning fireplaces emit nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, organic gases and particulate matter. Just like the pollutants in cigarette smoke, the smoke coming from your fireplace could contain cancer-causing properties. It could especially cause health concerns for children, pregnant women and people with respiratory problems, as well as healthy adults.

Fireplace smoke increases smog in more urban areas and some cities have considered banning them altogether. Many cities have taken the steps to change local ordinances to only approve certain EPA certified wood-burning fireplaces in new construction. Some organizations have enacted voluntary awareness programs to lower burning on already poor air quality nights. This includes posting notices for “no burn” nights, as well as ad campaigns targeted at prevented new wood burning fireplaces from being installed.

If you are concerned about the pollutants you are putting into your home and the Earth’s air with a typical wood-burning fireplace, there are steps you can take and even alternatives to a traditional fireplace.

To keep pollutants from entering your home, you can install an EPA certified clean burning insert to your existing wood burning fireplace. This insert prevents pollutants from leaving your chimney. A lot of new construction homes are already using these, but they are easy to install in older homes too. Also, install a glass screen on your fireplace to keep smoke contained. You can also mount a carbon monoxide monitor in the room with the fireplace to monitor the levels that are being put into the room.

A few other considerations include pellet stoves and electrical fireplace inserts. Pellet stoves burn compressed wood waste pellets. They are efficient and have little pollutants. They are a good alternative because they are cheap to purchase and run. Electric fireplace inserts have the look, feel and warmth of a fireplace without the pollution issues. The inserts can be installed directly into the firebox of the home. While they have flames and warmth, they are run completely by electricity. Some can even be customized to provide crackling wood sounds or different colored flames. This means the family can have a hearth, a mantle and the glow of a cozy fireplace, but none of the environmental worries.

With the knowledge of the environmental impact of wood-burning fireplaces, be kind to the environment and take steps to reduce or completely remove the pollutants coming from your fireplace.