Clean Sweeps of Michigan's Blog

Our New Green Initiative with Regency Fireplace Products

Clean Sweeps of MI is excited to announce a partnership with Regency, an environmentally proactive and protective fireplace product manufacturer. Regency values the ecosystem, and understands that there are things we can do now that will benefit us later. That is why they strive to lessen their carbon footprint, while helping you lessen yours.

Regency has made use of numerous recycled materials in the workplace, and is an almost entirely waste-free business. When shipping out products, they make use of biodegradable foam bags, as opposed to environmentally harmful, traditional packing materials. These foam bags guarantee that both product and environment are not harmed in the shipping process.

Regency also aims to minimize waste throughout the manufacturing process, by utilizing a proven efficiency-maximization system. With this system in place, unnecessary steps and processes are completely eliminated, and Regency can function at maximum efficiency.

Product-wise, Regency offers EPA approved wood products that burn clean and reduce carbon dioxide output. These products burn much more completely than other wood products, and leave virtually no ash behind. They also produce about fifty times less smoke per hour than traditional wood products. Regency also offers low-waste, high-efficiency fireboxes that have no negative effects on the environment whatsoever.

In addition to their preventative efforts, Regency believes in being proactive in protecting the environment. For this reason, they plant a tree for every Regency, Hampton or Excalibur product sold. With each tree that Regency plants, they help to decrease carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which is a major factor in global warming.

For more information on Regency and the products they offer, check out their website at www.regency-fire.com.

Understanding the Function of Your Chimney Liner

The chimney is much more complicated than it looks at first glance. With multiple parts making up its existence, homeowners need to be aware of all of them and their roles in order to ensure their chimney is operating safely every year. One part that plays a major role in the operation of the fireplace and chimney is the chimney liner.

A liner is on the inside of the chimney and is generally made from clay or metal. In many cases, clay is the preferred type of liner because it is much less expensive and is generally covered under a homeowner’s insurance policy. While this type of liner is less expensive, it does have some disadvantages.

The second type of common liner would be a metal chimney liner. These are generally made from either stainless steel or aluminum. These types of liners have a very long lifespan, but they also cost significantly more. In addition, because of the added costs, you may have to upgrade your insurance policy to have it covered in case of damage.

The main purpose of the liner, regardless of its composition, is to absorb the heat created when the fireplace is in use. Its ability to absorb the heat protects the masonry work on the outside of the chimney. It will also prevent creosote from building up on the brick, which is not only dangerous, but will also eat away at the masonry work and cause damage that can be very expensive to repair.

The second purpose of the liner is to create the proper flow of air in and out of your chimney. The flue serves as the pathway for the air to travel out of the fireplace, up the chimney, and outside the home. If this is damaged, you may experience a backdraft, which cannot only blow smoke back into your home, but also blow the fire into the room. Needless to say, it is imperative to have the liner checked every season before you plan to use your fireplace.