Clean Sweeps of Michigan's Blog

The Advantages of Pellet Stoves and Inserts

If you are looking for a heating system that is both energy-efficient and economical, consider purchasing a pellet stove or fireplace insert. John Gulland, a wood heat expert and contributing editor for the original guide to living wisely, Mother Earth News, claims, “For someone committed to using a renewable energy source and is away from home for many hours at a time, a pellet stove can be a good choice.” Knowing the advantages of this type of heating system will give you a better idea if a pellet stove or insert is your best option. At Clean Sweeps of Michigan, we sell Regency Greenfire pellet stoves and inserts, and we would like to tell you more about the benefits of heating your home with a pellet stove or insert.

Easy and Safe to Operate

To use your pellet stove or insert, all you have to do is pull out the hopper and load it with wood pellets. With one load of pellets, you will get heat for at least 16 hours before you need to reload with more pellets. Since a pellet stove does not give off external heat during its operation, you can place it as close as one inch from a wall and not worry about it becoming a fire hazard. This quality also makes pellet stoves a great choice if you have children or pets in your home.

Clean-Burning and Environmentally-Friendly

One of the main advantages of a pellet stove over a traditional wood-burning fireplace is there is no smoke produced from a pellet-burning fire. You will never have to worry about smoky rooms, dry air, or unpleasant odors when you heat your home with a pellet stove or insert. Cutting down on air pollution is another benefit of its smoke-free operation.

Inexpensive and Cost-Effective

The average price of a 40-pound bag of wood pellets is approximately three dollars, and this amount provides sufficient heat for two or more days. This means your total heating cost each month will be $50 or less, even during the cold winter months. A typical home heating bill for fuel-heated homes runs about $250 for the winter season, so you can save at least $100 on heating costs with a pellet stove or insert.

Renewable and Highly-Efficient Fuel

Another environmental advantage of pellet stoves and inserts is the fuel source itself. Wood pellets are made from recycled wood from sawmills. Sawdust and wood shavings are compacted into tightly condensed pellets, and burning these pellets is a low-moisture, highly-efficient process. Fewer harmful gases are released when burning wood pellets as compared to regular wood-burning fireplaces and stoves.

Convenient Fuel Storage
You do not need as much space for storing wood pellets since they are so condensed and compact. A ton of wood pellets produces the same amount of heat as a cord of firewood; however, you will need at least 128 cubic feet to store a cord of firewood logs but only 80 cubic feet of storage for a ton of wood pellets. Additionally, since wood pellets are already bagged when purchased, you can store them inside your home, which gives you easy access to your heating fuel.

Want to learn more about the benefits and advantages of pellet stoves and fireplace inserts? Contact Clean Sweeps of Michigan today to find out more information about these cost-efficient and environmentally-friendly heating systems.

Fall Is Almost Here – Beat the Rush!

Chimney InspectionIts summer and most of you are probably out soaking up the sun, going on vacations, and trying to will away any thought of cold weather. Likely, the last thing on your mind is your chimney and getting it inspected and serviced. Most people start thinking about their chimneys in the fall and winter months, and that’s when they call us! However, if you wait until then to schedule an appointment, it could be difficult to get one.

It is recommended that you should get your chimney inspected every year before you use it, even if there is no apparent problem. There are quite a few things that may have gotten into your chimney, including animals, which can cause obstructions which block airflow. This makes your chimney dangerous. Even if your chimney looks to be in great shape on the outside, it is possible that there is hidden damage inside that risks carbon monoxide poisoning or a chimney fire.

The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) recommends that your chimney be inspected

• At least once a year
• When you purchase a home
• Any time there has been a change to any appliance that vents into the chimney
• Any time there has been significant structural work done to the home.

Clean Sweeps inspects chimneys according to guidelines set by the NFPA. There are three levels of chimney inspection depending one the severity of potential problems.

Level 1

This is the most common type of chimney inspection. It is a visual inspection only , in which the technician will ensure that the chimney structure is sound and free of obstruction or combustible deposits. This inspection is appropriate if you have been using your fireplace regularly with no problems. A majority of inspections we perform are Level 1, but some chimneys or fireplaces may require a closer look.

Level 2

A level 2 inspection includes the same things as a level 1 inspection, but the technician will also examine any accessible portions of attics, crawl spaces, and basements. In addition, an interior chimney video inspection will be done. This level of inspection should be done if you have purchased a new home heating appliance, made a change to an existing appliance that is vented through your chimney, or suspect that there is damage to your chimney.

Level 3

This includes everything from the level 1 and 2 inspections, and an evaluation of the chimney condition and the condition of the concealed portions of the chimney and flue. A level 3 inspection is preformed when a hidden hazard is suspected that cannot be assessed without evaluating concealed areas of the chimney structure and flue. They are usually necessary when damage has occurred to the chimney or building structure.
If you need help deciding which level of inspection you require, you can call us today or schedule an appointment and a Clean Sweeps technician will assist you. Reviewing our appointment tips will help us to serve you as effectively as possible. Remember; don’t wait until you’re ready to start lighting your fireplace– along with everyone else– to call. The best time is now; before you need it!