1) There are so many stoves, fireplaces and inserts to choose from, which one should I choose?
First Decision
Your first decision in determining which type of system best fits your needs should be the type of fuel you would like to use: gas, wood, or pellets.
Wood is traditionally used for supplementary heating. We offer woodstoves and inserts that will produce warm, lasting heat. The large viewing glass allows a clear view of glowing coals and flickering flames.
The advantages of burning wood are:
- Independent from utilities in the event of power outages
- Efficient and inexpensive
- Helps protect winter air quality due to low particulate emissions
- Impact on global warming is reduced since firewood is carbon neutral and all wood stoves must meet strict EPA guidelines
Gas is a convenient, labor-free fuel. You only need to set a thermostat or press a button and your fire is started instantly. Break-throughs in burner technology now provide fires that are realistic enough to fool experts.
The advantages of burning gas are:
- Abundant and widely available
- Economical means of heating
- Propane (LP) gas is ideal for rural homes
- Not limited by natural gas service areas
- Will operate during power outages
Pellets are made of compressed wood waste are another popular fuel. Pellet fuel is sold in bags and can be purchased at most hardware stores, feed stores, lumber yards, large grocery stores as well as hearth products stores. The fuel is stored in a hopper inside the appliance and metered by automatic controls into a small cup in the stove called a burn pot where air is forced through the burning pellets, producing a hot, almost smokeless fire.
The advantages of burning pellets are:
- Pellet appliances are self igniting
- Fuel is widely available and easy to purchase
- Can operate from a thermostat
- Almost smokeless fire
Second Decision
The second decision you must make is what type of system to purchase: a freestanding stove, a fireplace insert or a fireplace. We offer freestanding stoves that burn wood, gas or pellets, fireplace inserts that burn wood, gas or pellets and fireplaces that burn wood or gas.
Freestanding Stoves can be positioned in a variety of places within the home. Freestanding stoves are normally vented straight up using a manufactured steel chimney pipe. Freestanding stoves can also have an elbow to direct the chimney horizontally through a wall or into a masonry chimney. A freestanding stove can also sit on the hearth of a masonry fireplace and be vented up the chimney. Freestanding wood stoves require a hearth pad for floor protection.
The advantages of freestanding stoves are:
- Radiating heat from all sides
- Natural and fan assisted convection
- Placement versatility in the home
Fireplace Inserts are an easy means of converting an existing, inefficient, steel or masonry open fireplace into an attractive, efficient heat source. Flexible pipe directs the flue gasses up the existing chimney.
The advantages of fireplace inserts are:
- Heat recovery in the form of radiant heat
- Impressive natural and fan assisted convection
- Uses minimal space
- Can use your already existing structure
Fireplaces are always a focal point in a room. Our fireplaces come in many styles and decorative faces. Our gas fireplaces are efficient heaters that will continue to operate even if the electricity goes out. Installing a fireplace requires more planning due to the construction necessary to enclose the fireplace and chimney.
Although some planning and thought are required to select the right fuel and type of system for your home, you can be sure that The Village Fireplace and Stove Center will supply you with a quality heating system that will grace your home for years to come.
2) I would love to have a wood stove in my home, but I don’t have a chimney. Can I still have a wood stove installed?
Yes, you can still have a wood stove! We offer Pre-Fab Chimneys that we will install in your home. Before you know it you will be on your way to a true-heating pleasure with your new wood stove. Contact us for a free estimate!
3) Do you offer free estimates?
Yes we do offer free estimates. Contact us by phone at 717-846-9417, email, or stop into the showroom to get started.
4) What types of payments do you accept?
We accept cash, checks, and all major credit cards.
5) What is the difference between a gas fireplace, gas insert, and a set of gas logs?
Gas logs are a stack of ceramic logs that sit inside your existing fireplace. Gas logs have a gas burner and they come in vent-free and vented options. Vented gas logs vent up your existing chimney. Vented gas logs are usually more for looks and aesthetics than for warmth. While they will emit some heat, they do not discharge as much heat as a built-in gas fireplace or gas insert.
A gas insert will sit inside your existing fireplace. Inserts produce a lot of radiant heat and warm air. Like gas logs and gas fireplaces, gas inserts come in vented and vent-free models. There are many options to choose from with the models that we carry, including the media (logs, rocks, glass) and front (door or window frame style front), as well as the finish of the front.
A gas fireplace is similar to a gas insert. However, the difference between gas fireplaces and gas inserts is that a built-in gas fireplace doesn’t require an existing fireplace or chimney. Similar to gas inserts and gas logs, gas fireplaces come in vented and vent-free models. Vented gas fireplaces exhaust the air through an exterior opening in your wall.
6) What is the difference between a vented gas product and a vent-free gas product?
Vented gas products require a fully functional wood burning fireplace and must be burned with the damper open or be vented to the outside of your home.
Vent-Free (also called Unvented or Ventless) gas products can be installed in either a wood burning fireplace, or a ventless fireplace that is rated for aftermarket ventless logs and are burned with the damper closed.
7) Do you carry vented or vent-free products?
We only carry vented gas products.
8) I want to convert my wood fireplace to a gas fireplace. Where do I start?
The first choice you have to decide is do you want a gas log set or a gas insert. After that decision is made, we encourage you to stop into our showroom to see the products we have to offer.
We have many working displays and someone on our team would be happy to help you in this decision. We then come to your home for a site inspection of the chimney and discuss if any further action would need to be taken or draw up an estimate for installation.
9) I want to convert my gas log fireplace to a wood burning fireplace. Where do I start?
When switching from gas to wood, it will require a level 2 inspection. This inspection will let you know the condition of your chimney and if any further action is needed before removing the gas logs and capping off the gas line. Our company offers this service by appointment.
10) We have an appointment coming up. Do we need to stop using our fireplace or stove or insert before the technician arrives? If so, how long prior to the appointment time?
Yes, this is very helpful for our technicians when coming to your house. A hot chimney can’t be swept safely by our team so you will need to stop using any wood or coal fireplace, stove, or insert for approximately 24 hours before we are to arrive. A gas or pellet appliance should be turned off the night before our arrival.
11) There is an old set of ceramic gas logs in our fireplace that are damaged and some parts missing. Do you sell logs for fireplaces?
We sure do! Keep in mind that the entire set will need to be replaced (logs and burner). We sell a variety of sizes and styles and would be happy to schedule you an appointment time to come into the showroom to see them.
12) We use liquid propane, or LP, at our house. Do any of your products work with propane?
Yes, all of our gas units (fireplace, stoves, inserts, logs) have conversion kits that are able to turn a natural gas use unit to a propane use unit.
13) Our gas fireplace is not working correctly and/or does not stay lit. Do you repair gas fireplaces?
If this is a product you purchased from us, trust that we stand behind our products. We will make sure that any warranty is seen through, your issue(s) will be resolved, and you will have a working gas fireplace again. Unfortunately we do not service any products we don’t currently carry or have not carried in the past. If you are unsure, please provide us with the manufacturer and we will help guide you to that manufacture’s website to see if there are any local dealers that may be able to assist you.
14) There is a hole in the bottom of our fireplace that we push all the ash into, but it is getting full. Do you clean out ash dumps?
We do clean out ash dumps. There are times that the ash dump is small or not very full and can be done at the time of your chimney sweep service. There are also times this space is very large and make take several hours to complete. In either case, we can assess at the time of your chimney sweep appointment and determine if another appointment is needed to clean this space out.
15) The glass on our stove keeps getting cracks. Do you repair stove doors or fix glass for stove doors?
Its good practice to make sure as you are loading your wood stove or insert to be careful that logs are not pushing up against the glass on the door and you are careful not to hit the door with the wood. But accidents happen and sometimes glass fails over time. We would be happy to order a glass repair kit that you can install yourself or schedule a service call with us to make these repairs. We are only able to order these kits if it’s from a manufacturer we carry.
16) Our damper is falling down and falling apart. Do you sell or repair dampers?
Not all dampers can be repaired, as it depends on the type of mechanism and how it was damaged. We do from time to time have some dampers that have come from past customers’ houses that have no need for their damper any longer (such as installing an insert into the fireplace). We may have one that fits your needs. If not, there is a product called a lock-top or top-sealing damper that is available. Keep in mind, this sort of damper cannot be used with gas log sets. We would be happy to provide more information if you are interested.
17) We bought a used wood or pellet stove or insert. Do you service or install them?
Our policy is that we only service and/or install products that are purchased from us directly. If it’s from a manufacturer that we carry now or in the past, we would be happy to order parts for you, or in some cases, make the repairs needed.
18) We have an old screen that is falling apart in front of our fireplace. Do you replace metal curtains or screens?
We do sell a selection of fireplace doors that have the option of a new mesh curtain or a gated mesh. These doors are highly customizable and are sold in a large selection of styles.
19) We really want a wood stove, but money is tight right now. Do you offer financing for any of your products or services?
I am sorry, but we do not offer any financing at this time. We do accept credit cards as payment though.
20) The wind blew my chimney cap off. Can you replace my chimney cap or install a new one?
Most times we are able to re-use the cap that blew off if you still have it. There is a service call fee to come out and re-install the chimney cap. If the one you have in not able to be re-used or lost, we carry a range of standard sized stainless steel caps on our trucks. Anything larger or a multi-flue cap will first require an estimate appointment to take measurements and a cap be ordered.
21) I have a chimney that might possibly be clogged, or something is causing improper air flow. Is this a provided service?
We suggest having a sweep and level 2 inspection performed by our certified chimney technicians. Please contact us for pricing and scheduling.
22) Do you sell pellets?
We only sell Green Mountain Grills pellets for use in pellet grills/smokers. We do not sell pellets for home heating use.
23) There are live animals currently in my chimney! Can you get them out and install a cap to prevent them from getting in?
We do not come out for live animals in chimneys including birds. Please call a local wildlife control company to be able to assist you in this matter. After any wildlife is removed, we would be happy to come out and sweep the chimney of any debris they may have left.