Wood Inserts

What are Wood Fireplace Inserts?

A wood-burning insert can breathe new life into old fireplaces, transforming them from charming yet inefficient hearths into powerhouses of warmth and efficiency. Imagine taking a classic masonry or prefab wood-burning fireplace, often a source of more nostalgia than heat, and turning it into a centrepiece of home heating. That’s the magic of a wood-burning insert.

They are a far cry from the open fireplaces of old, which, while romantic, tend to send more heat up the chimney than into the room. Fireplace inserts harness the heat to spread warmth far and wide in your living space. They transform an inefficient open fireplace into a more effective heating system.

The secret lies in a closed combustion system, a controlled environment where wood burns more completely and reduces heat loss. This means the wood burns at higher temperatures, extracting as much heat as possible from each log. A fireplace insert significantly lowers the amount of harmful particulate emissions released - a key aspect in light of environmental concerns and air quality regulations. The efficient combustion process reduces the amount of unburned wood and other particulates that would otherwise escape into the atmosphere. Napoleon’s S-Series fireplace insert boasts a high average efficiency of 72%, ensuring more heat is transferred into your room.

How is the Heat Output of Wood Inserts Measured?

When picking out a fireplace insert, it’s important to keep an eye on its BTU rating, which is short for British Thermal Units. Think of BTUs as a measure of the fireplace insert’s heating prowess: the higher the number, the more warmth it can pump out. This rating is key because it helps you match the insert’s power to your space’s needs. Go for a high-BTU unit, and you can toast up a large room; pick one that’s too low, and your spacious area might still feel chilly. It’s all about finding that sweet spot where the heat output is just right for your room.

Napoleon’s wood fireplace inserts really shine in this department. The Napoleon Oakdale™ Series provides up to 55,000 BTUs, while the Napoleon S-Series offers up to 65,000 BTUs. This level of heat output is substantial, making these inserts ideal for heating sizable living spaces effectively. The ability to generate this amount of heat ensures that the room reaches and maintains a comfortable temperature, even in colder climates or during harsh winter months. They can serve as a primary heat source for your home, potentially reducing the need for additional heating methods. With the S-Series, a full firebox has a burn time of approximately 8 hours, which means less frequent refuelling and more consistent heat. So, whether you’re curling up with a book or hosting a family get-together, these inserts ensure your space stays warm and welcoming.

Are Wood Inserts Environmentally Friendly?

Wood offers a unique advantage over fossil fuels like coal, oil, or natural gas: it’s renewable. Unlike fossil fuels, which are finite and add long-sequestered carbon to the atmosphere, wood is part of a natural cycle. Trees absorb carbon dioxide as they grow, and when you burn wood, that carbon is released back into the air - a cycle that can be balanced with sustainable forestry.

A Napoleon wood fireplace insert is designed to squeeze every bit of energy out of each log. This means you need less wood to keep your home toasty, which is good news for both your wallet and the planet. Plus, this modern wood-burning fireplace insert is all about clean burning. Gone are the days of smoky, inefficient fires. Napoleon’s inserts keep air pollution to a minimum, making them a friendlier choice for both the environment and your health. So, with one of these in your fireplace, you can enjoy the crackle of a wood fire without worrying about a heavy environmental footprint.

Napoleon’s fireplace inserts, such as the S-Series, have a low emission rate of just 2.25 grams per hour. This signifies a big leap in reducing air pollution and contributing to a cleaner environment. The wood fireplace inserts don’t just meet but exceed the stringent 2020 cordwood requirements. The 2020 cord wood requirements set a new bar for wood-burning appliances, demanding lower emissions and more realistic testing with the kind of wood people actually use at home. These standards are set to ensure that wood-burning appliances do their job efficiently without leaving a heavy ecological footprint. By choosing a Napoleon fireplace insert, you’re not just selecting a heat source. You’re opting for a cleaner, greener way to enjoy the timeless charm of a wood fire.

Is a Wood-Burning Insert Safe?

A fireplace insert is a safe heating option thanks to its enclosed design, which prevents sparks and embers from escaping, and efficient combustion that reduces dangerous creosote buildup. A fireplace insert offers controlled airflow for managing fire intensity and is made from robust materials like cast iron or steel with heat-resistant glass. For added safety, it’s essential to maintain the insert and chimney regularly, use only dry, seasoned wood, install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, keep the area around the insert clear of flammables, never leave the fire unattended, and strictly follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. These practices ensure both safe operation and peace of mind.

A Napoleon wood fireplace insert is designed with a perfect blend of safety and efficiency. The heat-resistant ceramic glass ensures a clear, safe view of the fire, reducing the risks associated with open flames. The fireplace insert is engineered for efficient burning, thanks to the secondary air tubes and circulation blower, which not only spread warmth evenly but also greatly reduce the risk of carbon monoxide buildup. The firebox, lined with refractory materials, guarantees complete combustion, further reducing any hazards.

The air wash system keeps the glass clean - not just to enhance the visual appeal but to let you keep a watchful eye on the flames. Starting and controlling the fire is made easy and secure with the bottom air feed and a straightforward control for the burn rate. This combination of warmth, safety, and simplicity sets Napoleon’s wood inserts apart, ensuring a cozy, worry-free experience.

What Type of Wood Should I Choose?

When selecting wood for stoves and inserts, the choice often leans towards hardwoods for their superior heat output and endurance during burning. Standout choices include oak for its slow burn, birch with its easy ignition, maple for consistent heat, ash for its minimal smoke, beech for its high heat output, and apple for its pleasant aroma. These varieties excel not just in heating efficiency but also in providing longer burn times, making them economical and practical.

It’s wise to steer clear of resinous woods like pine. Their high resin content can lead to subpar burns, producing thick smoke and contributing to more rapid creosote accumulation in chimneys, which can increase maintenance needs and fire risk. The key, regardless of wood type, is ensuring it’s well-seasoned. Properly dried wood ensures more efficient burning, reducing smoke and creosote buildup. It’s crucial to avoid burning treated or painted wood. These materials can release toxic chemicals when burned, posing a health hazard and raising environmental concerns. By choosing the right wood and ensuring it’s properly prepared, you can enhance the performance of your wood stove or insert and enjoy a safer, cleaner, and more enjoyable fire.

How Do I Maintain a Wood-Burning Insert?

A wood fireplace insert needs consistent maintenance to operate effectively and safely. The most fundamental aspect is frequent cleaning. It’s important to remove ash buildup regularly, depending on how often you use the fireplace. Ash accumulation can obstruct airflow and diminish efficiency. Have the chimney professionally cleaned and inspected annually to avoid hazardous creosote accumulation. Remember to keep the door gaskets well-sealed and maintain the cleanliness of the glass door for optimal performance and aesthetic appeal.

A Napoleon wood-burning fireplace insert is designed with features that simplify maintenance. It has a refractory-lined firebox that helps burn wood more efficiently, reducing the frequency of creosote accumulation. The air wash system is a boon for busy homeowners, as it keeps the glass cleaner for longer, cutting down on cleaning time. Plus, the sturdy cast iron construction means it endures well over time, reducing the need for frequent repairs. Some Napoleon models come with handy extras like an easy-to-access ash pan, making ash removal a breeze. They feature adjustable air controls, giving you the power to fine-tune the burn rate. This not only ensures you’re burning wood efficiently but also helps reduce the buildup of unburned remnants. All these features make maintaining a Napoleon wood fireplace insert less of a chore and more of a straightforward part of your home heating routine.

How Does a Wood Fireplace Insert Affect My Home's Heating Costs?

A wood fireplace insert offers an economical heating option, particularly in regions where wood is abundant and inexpensive. Its design focuses on maximizing heat output and efficiency, which translates to more warmth from less wood. This means using fewer resources and potentially cutting down on your central heating usage, leading to noticeable savings on heating bills. Especially during colder months, a wood insert can become the primary heat source for a home, providing a cozy ambiance while keeping energy costs in check.

Ready to embrace a warmer, more eco-friendly home this winter? Contact us today to explore our selection of wood fireplace inserts and discover how they can transform your heating experience while saving you money.