Clean Sweeps of Michigan's Blog

Spring is the Best Time to Make Fireplace Upgrades

A crackling fire on a cold winter’s night can quickly turn any house into a home. Over time, however, fireplaces and other heating appliances can age, deteriorate, or go out of style. Whether you want to install a new heating appliance or replace an existing one, spring is the perfect time to do so!

Why have fireplace upgrades done in the spring

After a long winter of use, many homeowners let their fireplaces fade into the background until the first cold snap of fall arrives. However, you should start thinking about making fireplace upgrades much sooner!

The spring is the perfect time of year to have fireplace upgrades done. First, mild spring weather minimizes the chance of delays for any outdoor masonry changes or repairs that need to be made. Some masonry projects cannot be done in either very hot or very cold weather; because of this, spring is an ideal time to have work done!

In addition to the weather, spring is also the perfect time to have fireplace upgrades done because you are likely not using your heating appliance. There is nothing more frustrating than waiting for your new fireplace, stove, or other heating appliance to be delivered and installed when the weather is chilly and you want to be using it! Likewise, because fall and winter are our busiest seasons for repairs and installations, you may find yourself waiting longer than usual for an appointment.

To avoid time delays due to the weather and have your fireplace finished and ready to go before the temperatures drop, have your fireplace updated this spring!

Benefits of a new heating appliance

There have never been more choices when it comes to fireplace inserts and stoves. Likewise, new heating appliances are more energy efficient than ever; many stoves and inserts are EPA certified to produce little to no air pollution. With a wide range of fuel choices, sizes, and styles, there is a perfect heating appliance for every home on every budget.

Gas fireplaces and inserts: Modern gas fireplaces and inserts are able to create extremely realistic flames at the touch of a button. Homeowners love the convenience, efficiency, and low cost of operating a gas heating appliance. Likewise, direct vent gas fireplaces can be installed almost anywhere in your home without the need for a chimney.

Wood fireplaces and stoves: A crackling wood fire can add instant warmth and ambiance to a room. While wood may seem like an old fashioned or outdated fuel choice, these appliances are anything but. Wood stoves are available in a variety of styles ranging from traditional cast iron to more modern styles.

Pellet stoves and inserts: For many homeowners, pellet stoves and inserts offer the best of both worlds between gas and wood. Pellets have a realistic burn and smoky aroma while also requiring minimal stoking or reloading; some pellet stoves only need to be reloaded every 2-3 days, even when being used round the clock. As pellet stoves and inserts continue to gain popularity, pellets are becoming increasingly easier to find in retail stores.

Whether you want to upgrade your existing fireplace or install a new heating appliance, the spring is the perfect time to upgrade your fireplace. Contact Clean Sweeps of Michigan today or stop by our showoroom in Ashley, IN and let our expert staff find you the fireplace or heating appliance to meet your family’s needs!

Close Your Fireplace and Chimney for the Season

With summer just a few short weeks away, most families are done using their fireplaces until the fall. Because of this, now is the perfect time to close up your chimney and fireplace for the season!

Rather than simply no longer using your fireplace, there are four easy steps to make sure that when you stop using your fireplace for the season it will be ready for use again in the spring.

1. Clean the fireplace

The first – and most obvious – step to closing your fireplace for the season is cleaning it. Homeowners can do part of the chimney cleaning themselves by removing any leftover ash or soot from the firebox. Avoid using a vacuum when cleaning the firebox as it may cause fine particulate ash to go airborne, coating interior furnishings and leaving your home dirties instead of cleaner! Even vacuums with HEPA filters often cannot adequately contain the mess created when vacuuming ash.

In addition to removing any fire remnants in the firebox, a thorough chimney sweeping should be performed. A professional chimney sweep can access and clean even the most hard to reach areas of your fireplace, ensuring that your chimney will be clean and ready for fires in the fall.

2. Have the chimney inspected

In addition to a chimney sweeping, an annual chimney inspection is also recommended in the spring. A chimney inspection is an important part of regular chimney maintenance and is an excellent way to make sure your chimney has not been damaged or deteriorated over the past year. In addition, chimney inspections are good preventative maintenance; small problems or defects can be easily repaired before your chimney system is damaged.

3. Tightly close the damper

While the damper should be closed every time the fireplace is not in use, this is especially important to do in the spring before closing the fireplace and chimney for the season. Left open, the damper can cause significant energy loss as cooled air from inside your home slowly leaks out, letting warm air from outside in to replace it. For additional energy savings, glass doors can be installed as an additional measure to seal cool air in and warm air out.

Gas fireplace owners do not need to worry about closing their dampers – the damper of a gas fireplace should always remain open, regardless of whether or not the fireplace is in use.

4. Turn off the pilot light

If you have a gas fireplace that you are not planning on using for a long period of time, turning off the pilot light is one way to help save energy. Because it stays lit the entire time the unit is connected, the pilot light continually uses energy to burn, costing you money. Turning off the pilot light is safe as long as you know you will not be using your fireplace while it is off.

By taking the time to close your fireplace and chimney for the season, you can relax and enjoy your summer without fall chimney maintenance looming over your head. Call Clean Sweeps of Michigan today to schedule an appointment to help close your fireplace and chimney system for the season!