Winter is right around the corner and it’s time to prepare for a cozy fire. However, before you light your first fire in the fireplace, it is important to get your fireplace ready. A chimney cleaning and inspection will reveal any leaks or cracks. It will also reduce the risk of fires and carbon monoxide poisonings due to creosote buildup or obstructions.

If you’re currently constructing a new home, or considering a remodel to add a fireplace, there are several reasons to choose gas, and even more to recommend a Mendota Hearth fireplace, in particular.

One of the biggest benefits of pellet stoves is that they are designed to provide consistent heat without necessitating the continual feeding of fuel or adjustment of airflow that’s typically associated with traditional fireplaces or even wood-burning stoves.

When the season arrives for firing up your indoor or outdoor fireplace, stove, or fire pit, it can be tempting to burn things in them other than the appropriate fuel.

Chimney inspection and cleaning are recommended yearly by The National Fire Protection Association --sometimes more if you use your system heavily. Homeowners with wood-burning fireplaces often wait until fall to schedule their chimney cleaning, which isn’t a bad thing...until you realize that almost everyone else does the same thing.

At American Chimney and Masonry, we take masonry and brick repair seriously. Whether it’s designing and installing a new mailbox or other brick fixtures or repairing damage, our masonry is a craft, and we employ craftsmen, not seasonal laborers or subcontractors.

At American Chimney we pride ourselves on quality, craftsman-led masonry--both new and repair--for chimneys, brick mailboxes, and more. We also provide a host of options for grills, gas, electric, and grills, as well as sales and installation of fireplaces, both indoor and outdoor, wood, electric, and gas. However, we also offer a few other services that you may not know about.

It’s a concern for many people...am I making environmentally conscious choices? If you’re concerned about your carbon footprint and have done some research, you may be worried that your beloved fireplace isn’t the best choice for the environment. You love the aesthetic appeal (and the toasty evenings), and don’t want to give it up...what can you do?

It’s a matter of semantics, yes, but if the distinction is important, technically a fire pit is a feature that is open, while a fireplace has a mantel, and looks more like its indoor counterpart. Why would you choose one over the other?

If you’re considering adding a fireplace to your home, the chance of a change in your energy bill may give you pause. You might wonder how a fireplace addition will affect a home’s energy usage, or if one type is more energy-efficient than another. The answer is...maybe.