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The Village Chimney Sweeps wants to pass along some great information from the NCSG about contractors, companies, and/or individuals claiming they are part of the National Chimney Sweep Guild, when they are not. Contractor scams are on the rise again, and it’s a good reminder to be aware of these individuals trying to take advantage of you. Fire safety is not one to take lightly when it comes to your home, business, and lives. Some tips to ensure you are working with companies that are part of the NCSG: Verify that they are members by checking the online directory of certified chimney sweeps (or anyone claiming they are a member of any organization) Beware of red flags, such as bids that come in far below others in the area for the same scope of work, only accepting cash, going door-to-door, or cannot provide any references for work completed. You can report any suspected fraud of those claiming to be part of the National Chimney Sweep Guild by calling 317-837-1500 Don’t be afraid to reach out and make some calls before agreeing to anything you don’t feel comfortable with. If they really want your business, they can wait until you check their references or with someone else (like us!) who may be able to...

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What are Gas Logs? Gas logs are a stack of ceramic logs that sit inside your existing fireplace. They are used mainly for aesthetics as they don’t emit as much heat as a traditional wood fire. Gas logs come vented or vent-free. Vented gas logs vent up your existing chimney and site inside your existing fireplace. What Gas Logs do you carry? We do not carry any ventless gas logs. We carry a variety of vented gas logs in our showroom located at 1439 South George Street in York, PA. We currently carry brands such as Eiklor Flames.     Why should I get Gas Logs? Gas logs are a great addition to your fireplace. Whether you have a fireplace you often use or one you seldom use, gas logs can be a beneficial addition to your fireplace. Vents gas logs are aesthetically realistic and take the place of a traditional fire. They create a homey feel without the mess and hassle of building your own fire. Gas logs bring to life your vision of a...

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Do you ever see that distinct “flying cigar” silhouette? Or small birds that could be mistaken for bats during the day? Chances are you are looking at a chimney swift. These birds used to dwell in caves, cliff faces, and hollow trees, but with the design of chimneys in North America by European settlers, these little birds found the perfect home in chimneys. Their long claws make it suited to cling to the walls of chimneys or other vertical surfaces. The nests they build inside your chimney look like a half-saucer of loosely woven twigs stuck together and cemented to the walls of the chimney with the bird’s glue-like saliva.   What can be done to stop chimney swifts from nesting in your chimney?     The key to keeping these birds out of the chimney is prevention. A chimney without a chimney cap is the perfect opportunity for the birds to use it as a place to build a nest. We suggest adding a chimney cap to your chimney to not only help with deterring these birds from causing problems with venting your appliances, but they also help keep other birds and animals from making nests in your chimneys as well. Chimney caps also help with rain and debris.   What if you hear chirping or rustling sounds inside your chimney? What if you know you have something nesting inside?     If there are live animals/birds inside your chimney, be sure to first call an animal control specialist. They will be the most knowledgeable person to be able to safely remove any live animal(s) inside the chimney and talk with you about prevention. Next, you will want to get your chimney swept/inspected by a professional to make sure any debris has been cleared. If it is not cleared away, you could be left with a smoke spillage back into your house or that debris catching on fire. Lastly, you will want to prevent these birds and animals from taking up residence again. Be sure to get a chimney cap installed during or right after the first two steps. Because chimney swifts are a federally protected migratory bird, nothing can be done to remove them from your chimney once they are there (including their nests and/or eggs). Chimney sweeps, animal control, or yourself cannot relocate them under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, unless a federal permit is granted. The best thing to do is if you find swifts already in your chimney, is to wait them out. In Pennsylvania, the swifts start to migrate to our state in about April and nest until about October. Contact us at 717-846-9417 for more information or...

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***UPDATE*** Beginning in 2023, the biomass tax credit has been increased to a 30% tax credit and capped at $2,000 annually, based on the full cost (purchase and installation) of the new unit meeting a 75% (or higher) HHV rating as part of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. See the updated information from the HBPA’s website. What is Biomass Fuel? These fuels are a sustainable heating option that converts wood byproducts into a usable energy. This creates heat when burned (thermal biomass), which is used to heat homes across the United States and other countries. How do I claim the tax credit? Be sure to keep any paperwork related to the purchase and installation of the stove, plus the manufacturer’s federal tax credit certificate. The tax credit is applied by the year the stove was installed into your home. If you have any further questions about claiming it when you file taxes, please reach out to a tax professional. As part of a pandemic relief package that was signed into law at the very end of December 2020, included a tax credit for wood and pellet heaters. Wood and Pellet stoves now qualify for a renewable energy investment credit. You can see the units we offer by visiting our products page. Consumers who purchase highly efficient wood or pellet stoves will be able to claim a 26% tax credit that is uncapped and based on the full cost (purchase and installation) of the unit. This credit is 26% through 2021 and 2022. It will be 22% in 2023. For more information, visit HPBA’s website regarding this tax credit. See the EPA’s website for a list of qualifying wood and pellet heaters (It must be listed at least 75% efficient per the higher heating value of the fuel.) Or, contact us at 717-846-9417 brandy@villagechimneysweeps.com for more information or...