As Seen On Designing Spaces
Missouri Insulation's own John Lambert featured on popular Designing Spaces television show.
Video Clip
Fireplace Questions & Answers
What information should we have with us when shopping for a fireplace or stove?
How many fireplaces or stoves are you looking for?
What size do you have in mind?
Do you want your fireplace or stove to produce some heat or none at all?
Where in your home would you like to put the fireplaces or stoves?
Is your home single or multiple storied?
How high are your ceilings?
What is the pitch of your roof? (if applicable)
What type of fuel would you like to use - Gas, Pellet or Wood?
If you want heat from the unit, how large of an area do you plan to heat?
You should have blueprints, if new construction.
What type of style are you looking for? Contemporary, Classic, Rustic?
I'm working with a builder, will they provide all the information for me?
Usually, but it still doesn't hurt to be prepared. Some things like aesthetics, how much heat you're looking for, etc. are questions to which only you may know the answers.
What questions should we ask when shopping for a fireplace / stove?
What fireplaces / stoves do you have that will fit my space / location?
How much heat will it produce?
How will it be vented?
What materials may we install around it - tile, stone, marble, drywall, mantel?
Does it have a fan option?
Can it be installed with a remote control?
How efficient and clean burning is it?
Who purchases the fireplace, the builder or the homeowner?
Usually the builder for new construction and the homeowner for remodels.
What does zero clearance mean?
This is a term used typically when purchasing a fireplace for new construction. The term zero clearance should be named close clearance. The term refers to being able to surround or build around your fireplace with combustible materials, usually wood and drywall. There is usually some clearance needed, however.
How often should my chimney be cleaned?
You should examine your chimney and flue once a year, to see if there is a buildup of creosote and any signs of water damage. Chimney sweeps can provide this service.
What is creosote?
Creosote is a byproduct of incomplete combustion. Incomplete combustion consists of smoke, gases, liquid droplets and solid particulates. This flammable tar-like substance is called creosote.
How often should my fireplace or stove be serviced?
Just like your chimney, we suggest that your fireplace or stove be serviced once a year. - Ask us about our Preventative Maintenance Program.
What does direct vent mean?
Direct vent applies to gas fireplaces, gas inserts and gas stoves. It is the process of using outside air for combustion, thus eliminating the use of preheated indoor air, which is ultimately lost up your chimney. Using a direct vent system gives you better indoor air quality, higher efficiency and greater venting options.
What is a B vent system?
B vent systems work much the same way as a standard masonry chimney system. It uses indoor air for combustion and removes indoor air, smoke and gasses up your chimney / vent.
What is the difference among single wall, double wall and high temperature chimneys?
Single wall stove pipe is a single layer of steel mostly used with wood stoves. Double wall stove pipe has the same use, and has an air space between an inner pipe and outer pipe, which makes the outer portion of the pipe cooler, enabling your stove to be closer to a combustible surface. High Temperature Class A chimney is double wall pipe but instead of an air space, it is packed with high heat resistant insulation, which can handle higher temperatures.
How close can my fireplace or stove be to combustibles?
Every stove and fireplace is different, so you will want to check the manufacturer's specifications for your individual stove or fireplace. The type of venting you use, will play a part in this as well.
How will a fan help my fireplace or stove?
A fan's main contribution is to help distribute the heat from your fireplace or stove, throughout the house. The second function of fans is that they help push the heat away from mantels or shelves above the fireplace, helping to prevent them from getting too hot.
How do I clean the glass on my direct vent gas fireplace / stove / insert?
You will probably need to refer to your owner's manual. Most new fireplaces and stoves will have a bottom louver, which folds down. Just under the glass there will be a glass retaining latch, undo the latch. To remove the glass, pull lower glass towards you while lifting upward. Gas fireplaces and stoves commonly have a white film residue on the glass. To remove or clean use a ceramic glass cleaner. (Do not use any abrasive cleaners. They will scratch your glass.)
What is the best way to clean the glass on my wood or pellet stove / insert?
For daily cleaning, use very fine steel wool (while glass is hot) to wipe away deposits. Remember to wear your hearth gloves when doing this! For deeper cleaning, use a glass cleaner designed for removing creosote. Spray cleaner on glass and wipe away deposits using paper towels. Do this when glass is cool.
How do I light my pilot light? - Watch this easy to follow video
Again, you will probably need to refer to your owner's manual or call your local dealer. Most gas log systems will have either a key valve or a safety pilot valve. To light with a key valve, light a long match, slowly turn your gas on by using a key into the key valve, rotating clockwise. Extend your lit match or lighter under the logs and grate.
To light gas logs with a safety pilot valve, turn your on/off pilot knob by pushing in and turning counter-clockwise to full on. Turn knob (without pressing in) clockwise until it stops, this is your pilot position. Light a long match or lighter, find your thermal pile (this is typically under the grate, in the right back corner, looks like a rod and funnel.) Push in on the on/off/pilot knob while lighting the thermal pile. Once lit, keep your on/off/pilot knob pressed in for approximately 45 seconds. Depress and turn counter clockwise to full on.
To light a zero clearance gas fireplace or insert: pull down bottom louver, turn on/off/pilot knob to pilot position (pilot will be even with the white dash). Press in and hold while pushing the red spark igniter button. Once you see the pilot light, hold in the on/off/pilot knob for 45 seconds, depress and turn counter-clockwise to on. At this point you can light your fire by pressing the on button, using a wall switch or remote control.
What is the difference between natural gas and propane?
You will most likely have natural gas in urban housing areas and propane in rural housing areas. Natural gas is lighter than air and is 138,000 BTUs a gallon, while propane is heavier than air and is 90,000 BTUs per gallon.
What is a BTU?
British Thermal Unit. A standard unit for measuring a quantity of thermal energy. Electricity, natural gas or any other source of energy can be measured in BTUs. In scientific terms, it represents the amount of energy required to raise one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit at sea level. One BTU is the equivalent of the heat given off by a single wooden kitchen match.
What type of wood should I use in my wood stove?
There are hardwoods (oak, hickory, apple, etc.) and soft woods (pine, birch, poplar, etc.). Your wood should be dry and seasoned before using. Hard woods will have a higher BTU content than soft woods.
How can I tell if my firewood is dry?
Look at the ends to see if they have cracks in them. If they don't your wood could be wet. Take two pieces of wood and hit them together. If they have a cracking sound, it's dry. If they thud, it's wet. You could also take a core sample to determine moisture content. Moisture content should be about 20%.
Is it better to burn an oak or pine pellet?
Hard woods are generally the preferred species for cordwood appliances because of their higher BTU content and lower emissions. Pellets from soft woods generally have slightly higher heat value and lower ash content than pellets produced from hard woods. Pine is a soft wood which will outperform oak in a pellet application. Oak is less expensive, though.
Missouri Insulation & Supply, Inc.
1348 W. Liberty Ave., Ozark, MO 65721
Ph: (417) 581-5812 • Fax: (417) 581-5901