You’ve moved into a new house, condominium, or apartment that has a fireplace or another type of heating appliance, such as a stove, but you’re not sure what kind of heating appliance it is. You have a lot of questions, such as “Do I burn wood in this fireplace?” “Is there a way to find out who made it and what serial number it has?” The use of the incorrect type of fuel can be extremely hazardous. Before you start a fire in your new fireplace or stove, you must first determine what type of fireplace or stove you have.
We take our Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) certifications very seriously at Old Hat Chimney Service, and educating our customers is part of our responsibilities as CSIA-certified chimney sweeps. We’d like to answer some frequently asked questions to assist you in properly identifying your heating appliance.
Do I have a masonry fireplace or a prefabricated fireplace?
According to the CSIA, in modern construction, there are only two types of fireplaces: masonry and factory-built, also known as prefab or prefabricated. The distinctions between the two are significant and easily discernible.
Fireplaces made of masonry
The fireplace’s construction standard Masonry fireplaces have been hand-laid brick or stone during the construction of homes for hundreds of years. A masonry fireplace’s chimney system is far more complicated. Its components include a mortar crown, the flue, the ceiling, the smoke chamber, the smoke shelf, the lintel, the damper, the firebox, the ash dump, the clean-out door, the footing, the foundation, the mantel, and the hearth. A masonry fireplace is strictly a wood-burning fireplace unless it has been converted by piping in a gas line or a gas fireplace insert has been installed.
Fireplaces manufactured in factories
A factory-built fireplace is becoming more common in newer-built houses since the materials and installation costs are lower than the expenses to create a brick fireplace. A factory-built chimney system includes a chimney cap, chase cover, the firestop, metal chimney flue, fireplace, and hearth, which are easily identified by grills at the bottom and higher up on the wall or on the sides of the fireplace.
Many factory-built fireplaces have a gas log set and burner and are designed, safety rated, and constructed for use with only gas. Some factory-built fireplaces, however, are also meant to be wood-burning fireplaces. To be certain, check for the nameplate that specifies the maker, model, and serial number. This nameplate is often seen on the right side of the fireplace, directly behind the screen. If there is a grill at the bottom that swings down, it might potentially be beneath the firebox.
What is the best way to tell whether I have a fireplace insert?
An insert, which is almost often put in brick fireplaces, is a straightforward and cost-effective technique to switch the fuel type from wood-burning to the more practical gas. If the firebox is metal and enclosed by a steel shell, you most likely have a fireplace wall insert. Look for the nameplate beneath the grill between the pilot light and gas valve to determine what sort of insert you have. These nameplates can often be tucked up on top of the valve, making them difficult to detect.
How can I locate a stove’s manufacturer information?
If you have a wood or gas stove, the nameplate will be wired beneath the firebox or connected to the rear of the appliance. It may be on the hopper lid, within the hopper, on the back of the stove, or buried in a detachable panel on the appliance if you have a pellet stove.