WINTER IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER

Can you believe it?! Winter is coming. Time is sure flying fast these days. It’s time to start getting our fireplaces and stoves cleaned up and ready to go. A friend of ours has already started a fire in her wood insert. She had her chimney cleaned and inspected back in the spring.

Insurance companies require that you have your fireplace inspected and cleaned on an annual basis. So, if you did not have the time to get that done at the end of the last burn season, now is the time! We sure do hate to hear about people who had a flue fire. Your home and family is precious to you and to us, so give us a call, and we’ll get you scheduled.

GREEN YOUR HOME

1) Clean the Air, Inside and Out

All of the newest wood stoves are certified to strict EPA standards that cut emissions, both inside and outside, by more than 70% compared to uncertified stoves.
Natural gas and propane-fueled stoves and fireplaces are also some of the cleanest burning fuel options available.
Phase 2 certified outdoor wood hydronic heaters, units that burn wood or pellets to provide heat and hot water to homes, are 90% cleaner than unqualified models.
2) Purchase the Most Efficient Product

Most fireplace and stove products are efficiency-rated and assigned a score between zero and 100. Look for the highest efficiency rating — a higher score means the product can burn less fuel but still heat efficiently and effectively.

3) Heat in the Zone

People regularly use less than 40% of their home and using a fireplace, stove or insert to warm the rooms used most (zone heating) allows families to heat more efficiently by turning down their central thermostat, which also saves money — potentially 20-40% of their fuel bill.
4) Explore Renewable Fuels

Many of today’s stoves, fireplaces and inserts are engineered to burn biomass. These fuels are derived from renewable and sustainable sources such as wood, pellets, corn, and other alternatives.
5) Burn Wood Wisely

Although today’s fireplaces and stoves are cleaner than their older counterparts, using a newer product is only half the battle.
Burn Wood Responsibly: Don’t burn trash or plastics, use only the recommended fuel for the product you have.
Maintain your properly installed product: To ensure a product’s efficiency, consumers need to have their product properly installed and maintained.
GREEN YOUR WALLET
1) Take Advantage of the Stimulus Package

If you don’t have a fireplace or stove or want to upgrade the one you have, the recently- passed Economic Stimulus bill includes a 30% tax credit (up to $1,500) for the purchase of a 75%-efficient biomass-burning stove (details on which stoves qualify are expected soon from the IRS).
2) Do the Math and Compare Costs

As the cost of heating oil and natural gas rise, using an energy-efficient wood or pellet stove combined with the tax credit could help you save money. You be the judge: apply our user-friendly calculator to compare the costs of burning different fuels.

3) Keep Heat Inside Your Home

No matter the product, it is important to keep heat within your home. Make sure that seals around windows and doors are tight and that your house is properly insulated.

GOODBYE WINTER!!!

Well, it looks like Spring has finally sprung!!  This warmer weather encourages us all to step outside and enjoy the sun. Oh, how we have missed that beautiful, golden piece of our universe. As winter wraps up, along with it comes responsibilities. Campbell’s Stoves is certified by the Fireplace Institute to clean and inspect your fireplace/stove and chimney/pipe. We are working hard for our clients to assist them in getting ready for the next burn season. So, call today to book your appointment, 1-866-590-6515. Then, you can sit back and relax, or just get started on all that yard work!!

Mass. sets new energy efficiency standards

After a year’s worth of haggling with the state’s utility companies, Massachusetts officials yesterday unveiled a set of ambitious energy efficiency standards that some say are unequaled in the nation.

To meet the new standards – a 2.4 percent reduction in electricity use across the state, and a 1.15 percent reduction in natural gas use – the state’s utilities will invest approximately $2.2 billion in expanding efficiency measures like home energy audits, weatherization, and rebates for home appliances, over three years.

The aim is to triple the number of consumers in Massachusetts who make improvements to their homes to reduce their energy use. The money, much of it expected to go toward incentives for utility customers, will come from a combination of sources: third-party financing, revenue from the state’s participation in carbon credit auctions, an existing energy efficiency charge on utility bills, and a modest increase in rates for customers.

Officials say they expect those costs to be offset by roughly $6 billion in efficiency-related savings over the life of the program.

Geothermal Energy

What is geothermal energy?

Well, consider the word geothermal. Geo means earth and thermal means heat. So geothermal is earth heat. Geothermal energy is a form of renewable energy derived from deep in the earth’s crust. For every 328 feet below ground, the temperature increases 5.4 degrees fahrenheit. This is a renewable energy source, simply because, the water is replenished by rainfall, and the heat is continuosly produced by the earth.

Geothermal energy is utilized in 3 technological catagories:                      

• Heating and cooling buildings via geothermal heat pumps
• Heating structures with direct use applications
• Generating electricity thru indirect use.

A common way geothermal energy is obtained is through tapping into geothermal sites, also called geothermal springs. These are geologically active places where the water seeps into the Earth’s crust and is heated by the Earth’s interior, rising to the surface as steam.

How do geothermal heat pumps work?

In winter, the geothermal heat pump, pumps heat from the earth into your home. In summer, it pumps heat from your home into the earth. Earth’s constant temperature contributes to the efficiency of the geothermal heat pump.

What are the pros and cons  of a geothermal heat pump?

Well, honestly, the only con I could find was the start up cost. The unit itself is a bit costly, but it’s the drilling into the earth that will affect your wallet. So why spend so much money on this? The pros are outstanding. Since you are letting the earths heat, warm your home it will save you money. Most people see a return on their investment in 5 to 10 years. How is this possible? A geothermal heat pump uses 70% of it’s renewable energy from the ground. It will save you 30 – 40% on energy bills. Since the more expensive parts of this unit are protected by the earth, there are less repairs, making this a very reliable aternative energy resource. Not only does it provide 100%  of your home heat sorce, it also heats your water supply as well as providing air conditioning.  No additional use of oil, natural gas, or any other fossil fuel is used. It is environmentally friendly since the emissions are very low.

Just a little note: We at Campbell’s Stoves do not service, sell, or install gethermal heat pumps. Since this blog is about alternative energy sources, we thought it deserved a discussion. Please leave us a comment and let us know what you are thinking.

Sources:            consumerenergycenter.org                 our-energy.com

Feeding the Fire

Don’t discount firewood as renewable energy source

By Jim Redden

The Portland Tribune, Jan 14, 2010

In our rush to develop renewable energy sources, are we overlooking an old-fashioned standby — firewood?

In recent years a great deal of attention has been paid to solar panels and wind turbines. But firewood is also a sustainable source of energy, says Mark Havel, a local engineer who owns 25 acres of forest land.

“Forests can and should be operated sustainably,” says Havel, whose family . . . . read more

Beware of Carbon Monoxide in Cold Weather

Carbon monoxide — odorless, colorless and tasteless — is a deadly hazard all year round, but it becomes a particular threat during cold weather, when space heaters, furnaces and stoves become the must-have appliances.

All fuel-burning equipment and appliances create the risk for carbon monoxide, including water heaters, gas furnaces, wood and gas fireplaces, generators and automobile engines.

At its mildest, carbon monoxide poisoning can feel a little like the flu, causing headaches, dizziness, exhaustion, confusion, fainting and vomiting.

But at its worst, exposure to carbon monoxide . . . . . read more

A Bit About Radiant Heating . . .

Radiant Heating

Radiant heating systems involve supplying heat directly to the floor or to panels in the wall or ceiling of a house. The systems depend largely on radiant heat transfer: the delivery of heat directly from the hot surface to the people and objects in the room via the radiation of heat, which is also called infrared radiation. Radiant heating is the effect you feel when you can feel the warmth of a hot stovetop element from across the room. When radiant heating is located in the . . . read more

Which Stove Pipe Should I Use?

There are 4 different kinds of stove-pipe that is available to use.  The purpose of this article is to help you determine which would best fit your household needs. This is for informational purposes only. Always follow local building codes and stove/fireplace requirements when installing ventilation systems. Professional installation is recommended.

Single Wall Stove Pipe:  Single Wall is found in most hardware and building supply stores, and can be used for most applications.  It comes is 24 or 22 gauge steel. Single Wall requires 18″ clearance from the stove til it enters the chimney. Single wall radiates heat into the room since it does not have a layer of insulation. It is generally the least expensive, and lighter weight pipe available. However, it does have a short life span of 3-5 years before it degrades. 22 gauge will last five times longer than 24 gauge, so in the long run 22 gauge is the least expensive purchase.

Double Wall Stove Pipe:  Double Wall is found in most hardware and building supply stores, also professional chimney and stove stores supply it. Double Wall can be used for most applications. It comes in 24 or 22 gauge steel. Double Wall is ideal for close installations where there is less than 18″ clearance to combustible materials. This pipe has a stainless steel inner liner, and  a steel wall outer liner. The second wall provides an air insulation designed to keep the internal core hotter, which will boost draft and efficiency. This pipe provides maximum protection for your walls and ceiling. Double Wall will last many years longer than the Single Wall. It is more resistant to degradation.

Triple Wall Stove Pipe:  Triple Wall is supplied by professional chimney and stove dealers. Triple wall is an all fuel chimney system.  It has a much smaller 2″ clearance from combustible materials. As a word of caution different brands have a different quality of product. For example Duraplus has an inner wall made of  stainless steel , an aluminium middle wall, and an outer wall of galvanized steel. Duraplus has a 15-25 year warranty. Duratech, on the other hand, has an inner wall made of stainless steel, a middle wall of ThermalTech blanket  insulation, and an outer wall of stainless steel. Duratech provides a limited lifetime warranty.

Flexible Chimney Liner:  Flex is designed as a reline product for your existing chimney. Aluminum flex is designed for gas products only.Aluminum has a 15 year warranty.  Titanium alloy flex is an all fuel liner application. It has a corrugated structure that makes it flexible for maneuvering down through your chimney. Titanium alloy flex comes with a Lifetime Warranty so you can rest at ease.

The staff at Campbell’s Stoves has worked hard in their studies so that they can help you make the best decision for your family.  Visit our showroom for a hands on experience. See a Mt. Vernon AE  pellet stove insert in action.  Talk to our experts about your ventilation needs. If you are snowed in, then just give us a call at our toll-free number 1-866-590-6515.

We look forward to meeting you.

What is a BTU and Why is it Important?

BTU stands for British Thermal Unit. 1 BTU equals approximately 1.06 kilojoules. This is the amount of energy required  to raise the temperature of  one pound of water by one degree fahrenheit.  In North America, a btu is used to describe the heat value (energy content) of fuels, and also a heating or cooling system.

BTU rating is important to understand if you are planning on installing a cooling or heating appliance into your home. Figuring the btu needed for your personal needs will assist you in providing the proper sized appliance needed.  Having an appliance to large or too small for your home will result in wasted energy and less effeciency.

Now we will address a few conversion equations you may need to assist you in making wise decisions for the heating and cooling of your home.

To convert watts to BTU and vice versa:

• 1 watt = approximately 341 btu/hr  
•  1000 btu/hr = approximately 293 watts

How to measure needed btu for your home needs:

• Measure the square footage of your room.  (length x width)
• Multiply square footage x height of room = cubic foot
• Rate the room insulation  2= very good, 3 = fair, 4 = poor
• Multiply insulation rating x room volume = total btu needed

But wait!! Don’t rush out to go shopping  just yet.  Here are a couple of things to consider . . . .

If looking for a wood burning stove or fireplace, you need to consider the type of wood you plan on using. To figure btu value, as well as important tips and warnings click here.

Some manufacturers measure the btu input, while others measure btu output. This can be a bit confusing, so click here to understand the difference.