Blog Posts

Fireplace Thoughts From a Fireplace Newbie

By Lacie Banks Prior to starting with Mr. Fireplace, I didn’t have any idea of what was involved in installing and servicing a fireplace, nor did I know about all of the options and choices given when looking for or purchasing a fireplace. Did you know? That we have everything from standard builder fireplaces to…

Traditional Wood Burning Fireplace: Are They a Thing of the Past?

By Dave Cripps It wasn’t that long ago when the fireplace was the center of home.  There is just something about coming in from a cold winter day and settling in by a fireplace hearth. Nothing can compare with the old world charm of a natural wood burning fire that provides a feeling of warmth,…

Some Interesting Market Trends in Fireplace

By Ronald Van Waas Trends are often described as coming or going, however, there are a few trends occurring today within the fireplace industry that are showing strong preferences and lasting results. Although the traditional styles of fireplaces with their log sets are still extremely popular, the new European linear fireplaces are gaining in popularity. …

Understanding Fireplace Efficiencies

By Mike Eide We get many questions about fireplace efficiencies and why certain fireplace efficiencies seem higher than others. Are you aware that fireplaces are being legislated to be more efficient energy users? Old Methods Different methods have been used to measure the efficiency of gas fireplaces. Steady state (SS) and annual fuel utilization efficiency…

Five Questions to Ask When Shopping for a Fireplace

If you’re dreaming about adding a fireplace to your home, you’re not alone. Realtor.com ranked fireplaces number one in its 2015 list of must-have home features, Houzz recently named hearths and fire features as a top trend for 2016, and fireplaces are the most-desired decorative appearance product in a new home. Of all the home…

What a Fireplace Insert Means for Your Family

Jessica was like many homeowners with an open wood-burning fireplace. The initial idea of a hearth appealed to her; she looked forward to relaxing after long days in front of the flames. Reality quickly set in though with every trip to the wood pile. The truth is open masonry fireplaces are expensive, dirty, drafty and…

Biomass: The Sustainable, Renewable Fuel Choice

At Harman, we talk about biomass fuels a lot. If you are curious what qualifies as a biomass fuel, we’ve compiled this primer to answer that question and more. What is Biomass? “Biomass” is a term used to describe organic substances that can be converted into usable energy. Biomass used to produce heat is often…

Smart Fireplaces: Innovative Fireplace Designs and Technology

The history of the hearth dates back to long before Heat & Glo got in the fireplace game, its first iteration being fire pits positioned in the middle of a room. Fast forward to modern times and the purpose of the hearth has transformed from survival to attaining dream home status. The fireplace may not…

Fireplace Trends You Can Expect to See in 2016

  2015 was a stylish year. Bold colors made a comeback, retro became modern and textures couldn’t be ignored. We think 2016 though, is going to be the real treat. The home design site Houzz has looked into their crystal ball and predicted the 25 biggest interior trends that we’ll be seeing over the next…

Lower Your Heating Bill in 2016

Transport yourself here: It’s mid-January, 15 degrees outside and the wind is howling against your windows making an ominous, whistling sound. To warm up, you make a trip to the woodpile and proceed to make a big fire in your open, wood burning fireplace. The crackling sound of burning wood is comforting, and it feels…