The available tax credit makes the option of buying an efficient wood burning product an affordable project.  Plus, you will be helping small businesses that are taking a huge hit by the economy.  Most small businesses can’t get credit now because their financials show the hit from the economy over the last two years (yes, it has been that long).  While getting credit is essential to small businesses, the major concern is lagging sales.  So, please save yourself some money and move to a greener energy option by going to an efficient, EPA approved wood stove, fireplace, or insert. 

You can get a 30% Tax Credit (up to $1500.00) on the cost of having an efficient wood burning appliance installed in your home (must be a primary residence; cannot be new construction or rental property for the tax credit).  The credit is determined by the cost of installing an efficient wood burner, not just the cost of the appliance itself.  This is a HUGE savings! 

So, you are thinking about purchasing a wood stove or fireplace and you realize that if you do; you will feel so good about yourself.  Because you were smart and saved money, because you helped a local small business survive for another day, and now you are socially conscious because you are heating your home in a “GREEENER” way!  Plus, now you can come home after a hard day and revert back to your primal instincts and play with fire, or just relax while watching the beautiful, efficient flames; while knowing your heating bill will not break the bank this year or next.

If you already have an open style fireplace, you can heat efficiently too by choosing a good quality wood insert.  There is an efficient wood appliance out there for everyone, every style, every size.

Don’t hesitate to call your local Specialty Hearth Retailer and find out how you can start saving money!

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Regency HZ54 Large Gas Fireplace

I was just talking about the contemporary options for replacing gas logs, but there are other options available for the person in new construction or a remodel situation.  The fireplaces I am talking about are Direct Vent Gas Fireplaces designed with a contemporary flare.  These fireplaces offer higher efficiencies while still venting the unit to the outside.  All direct vent fireplaces do have sealed glass on the front of the unit, as this is part of what allows the unit to be vented and still efficient (stated in very general terms). 

Town & Country Wide Screen 54

Many fireplace manufacturers have started to make fireplaces with a more contemporary feel.  We have found two manufacturers that we are very pleased with.  If you are looking to achieve a contemporary feel with your fireplace then I recommend checking out the Regency Contemporary Line of products or the Town & Country Line of products.  Both of these options offer great quality products by people who have been in the business of making fireplaces for decades.  The other nice thing about these fireplaces is that you can customize the fireplace, by choosing trim color, interior panel color, burner style etc…  (This can be great when you know what you want, and it can be overwhelming when you don’t know what you want, but either way it is great to look at all the options).  Both of the manufacturers I mention do offer some kind of “Design a Fireplace” option on their websites so you can look at your choices on line in a very user friendly way.

The Direct Vent Gas Fireplaces are a more expensive option than the gas log replacements I mentioned in an earlier post, but if you don’t have a fireplace then this is the way to go for looks and efficient gas heat (Natural gas or Propane). 

As a side note, if you want an ethanol burning fireplace then you should look at the Ecosmart Fires.  They are very cool and easy to adapt to just about any setting.  They are on the cutting edge! While their products tend to be pricey they are the only gas product that does qualify for the 30% (up to $1500) Tax Credit and this helps offset their cost tremendously.  The picture I have chosen for the Ecosmart fire is one of their outdoor products.  They have many, many indoor options; but I really like the tower and wanted to show it.

Ecosmart Tower - Outdoor Ethanol Collection

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Fireglitter For Vent Free - Cobalt Blue

There is a fairly inexpensive way to incorporate contemporary design with your fireplace.  I have noticed an increased demand for “Fireballs” or “Glass” instead of a more traditional logset in fireplaces.  If you have an existing wood burning or ventfree fireplace you can easily change out your existing log set and replace it with something very swanky, for a minimal investment.  If this contemporary option is something you have been looking for then I recommend you take a look at the manufacturer below.  http://www.rasmussen.biz/alterna.htm

They make a great quality product and in my personal opinion they have some of the most realist flames of any log/stone/glass setup I have seen.  I have put in just a few pictures to offer an idea of the contemporary options available for gas log replacement, but the manufacturer’s link above will offer much more indepth information about the various products.

If you have questions about a specific application let me know, I will offer as much help as I can.  Please check out our website www.pardodesigns.com for contact information.

Fireshapes For Vented Applications

Uniform Sized Fireballs

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Nevertheless, I am here as your determined blogger to remind everyone that Wood is Good!  That there has never been a better time to invest in a wood stove/insert or efficient fireplace.  I know what you’re thinking!  “Winter is almost over and I have made it this far without that expense, why would I buy one now?” You know what I have to say to that? Well, you’ve got a point.  (I am assuming that now you can see why I am such a good sales person).  If you are on a fixed income, or have lost your job, then you absolutely have a point.  But, if you have the means and desire for a fireplace/stove (weather wood or gas), then now is the time.  You will still have plenty of cold weather to enjoy the new appliance and you’ll be able to take advantage of the Tax Credit for efficient wood products installed.  OK, I did my selling bit. 

I think tomorrow I will talk about what growth I am finally seeing in the contemporary gas world.  I was personally predicting it to take off about two years ago, but I am slowly seeing its’ growth in the last year or so.  I think I will also be more upbeat tomorrow as I feel strangely excited about my new commitment to blogging.

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Homeowners are building stone patios with outdoor kitchens complete with large, permanently-installed grills, refrigerators and work areas. They’re installing luxurious outdoor fireplaces or firepits to extend the season, adding beautiful outdoor lighting to extend the evening. They’re even installing televisions, stereos and artwork specially made to be weather-proof.

Today, there is almost nothing that you can do inside your home that you can’t do outside.

Pardo Hearth Specializes in creating beautiful and functional outdoor living spaces.  We offer turn key design & installation for those customers who aren’t into doing it themselves; but we also offer help to those customers who are DIY’s.  If you want an outdoor living space; whether it is a grilling island, full outdoor kitchen, outdoor fireplace or firepit we can help you accomplish this on a budget.  We can offer you design suggestions, information on “Best Bang for your Buck” appliances (we do sell some of the best appliances in the business), and we can offer to help you with the portions of the project that are more difficult.  For instance, we can build the island or kitchen frame (we weld 1″ thick steel tubing for the frame for longevity and durability) for you and then you veneer it.  There are many ways in which we can help you money on that outdoor island/kitchen; that will ultimately increase the value of your home.

Below is a link to a document from the HPBA on planning outdoor living spaces that would be a great starting point for anyone considering an outdoor kitchen this season.

http://cfd13201.cfdynamics.net/hpba/fileadmin/factsheets/product/FS_HowtoCreateOutdoorRoom.pdf

Now is the time to start planning for that oasis, so it can be completed in time for the great warm weather that is just around the corner.  Also, call us with any quesitons.  We are here to help!

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Our store has had many requests for a wood stove that sells for $500.00 or less.  While I understand that everyone is looking for a deal in this economy, I just don’t have them.  I have been concerned about this!  I have been researching the big box chain stores that I continually hear is offering a wood stove for $300-$500.00.  Our Fireplace and Wood stove Guru has always stated that when you put fire in your home, saftey must come first.  That being said he has always stayed away from the “Cheap” wood stove.  I started doing some research to see if there really was cause to not offer a “cheap” wood stove.  What I found out was very interesting.  Many of the “cheap” wood stoves were not UL Listed (meaning that they did not pass the rigerous saftey standards required or never even attempted to do so).  I also learned that most (if not all) insurance companies will not cover a fireplace or stove product that is not UL listed!  How terrible to have a house fire, and then to find out that it won’t be covered under your insurance policy!!  So, while I agree that one shouldn’t spend more than they have to one a wood stove or fireplace; safety is a requirement and knowing that your insurance company approves the wood stove you are installing is also a huge relief!  Please don’t be swept away by the price tag alone.  Speak to an industry professional and understand what you are paying for.  If having a stove that is efficient, and EPA approved isn’t important to you then knowing that it is UL listed should be!

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I wanted to pass along the information on zone heating from this article, as it conveyed the idea better than most articles I have read on the subject. 

(About the author: Dr. James E. Houck is president of OMNI Environmental Service.  www.omni-environmental.com)

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