the best of fireplaces and stoves

The Best of Fireplaces & Stoves is a compilation of resources on fireplaces and stoves... Enjoy!

The worst choice on fireplaces and stoves

Traditional fireplaces and stoves are a bad choice. Be careful. They emit large amounts of pollutants and do not have a significant heat output. Most of the heat they produce is lost through the chimney. If you just want a fireplace to get a cozy ambiance, an electric fireplace with a good flame effect is a cheap and good alternative to wood-burning units. If you want a wood-burning fireplace or stove for heating purposes, inform yourself and get an advanced wood unit (or a gas or pellet unit)…

See: Decorative electric fireplaces (and gas logs and gel fireplaces)

The most efficient wood fireplaces & stoves

New wood-burning fireplaces and stoves share the same technologies, and are several times more efficient than traditional units.

To get an efficient wood-burning fireplace or stove, choose an advanced qualified model. In USA and Canada, you can find them at the EPA listings: EPA Cleaner fireplaces and Current list of EPA-certified wood stoves (PDF). Pay also attention to UL and other safety certifications.

New qualified models are also much safer and cleaner than traditional ones. The issue is so pertinent that some official and professional bodies are promoting change-out programs involving wood stoves and fireplaces (households should surrender their old units to be recycled): see Wood Stove Changeout.

For more information: Wood Catalytic and No-catalytic Stoves, Best Wood Fireplaces.

The most efficient gas, pellet and electric fireplaces and stoves

Gas and pellet fireplaces and stoves are typically more efficient than wood-burning units, and good alternatives to them. ConsumerReports.org has some reviews on pellet fireplaces and stoves; see: Best Wood Stoves and Best Pellet Stoves and other links in their pages. If you want a gas unit, you may take a look at Vesta awards. Or at Heating & Air Conditioning Best Buys of Consumer's Digest (you will have to subscribe, to get the information).

For customer reviews on electric fireplaces, you may look at them in Amazon.com: Electric fireplaces.

Pay also attention to the best manufacturers (see: Best fireplace and stove companies) and prefer safety tested units (ANSI/AGA...).

The best information

For basic information, you can take a look at these pages of our site: Wood Catalytic and No-catalytic Stoves, Efficient Gas Stoves, Best Wood Fireplaces, Efficient Pellet Stoves, Best Wood Stoves and Best Pellet Stoves.

Professional organizations may also help you with technical information on fireplaces and stoves; see: Fireplace and Stove Associations

The safest stoves and fireplaces

Avoid using traditional stoves and fireplaces. They deplete and pollute indoor air. The best fireplaces and stoves are combustion sealed units: the combustion air comes from the outside and the combustion gases are vented to the outside, through a system of pipes using the wall behind the unit or a top-ceiling opening. See: Direct venting and B-venting and Fireplaces and Health Threats.

Fireplace & Stove Associations

Professional associations can be a good source of information on fireplaces and stoves. Here are some of the best:

Fireplace, stoves and chimney associations: National Fireplace Institute (North America), NFA (UK, information, advice); Wood Heat Organization (defense of wood burning heat), Chimney Safety Institute (USA, Canada), The National Association of Chimney Sweeps (UK), Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (USA, Canada), Stove Industry Alliance (UK, mainly).

Pellet fuel associations: Pellet Fuel Institute, Wood Pellet Fuel Association, Maine Pellet Fuels, Wood Pellet Association of Canada , European Biomass Industry Association , China Wood Pellet Association, Biomass Energy Center (UK).

Natural Gas associations: American Gas Association, Canadian Gas Association, Gas Naturally (UE), AGA Australia, Gas Association New Zealand.

The best heating cost calculators

To compare gas, wood and electric heating costs associated to fireplaces and stoves: Heat Calc NEIC (Excel Sheet) or Pellet Fuels Institute .

best places to buy

You can find electric and cheaper gas stoves and fireplaces on big improvement stores, or online. See, for instance: Best Electric Fireplaces...

But that's not the rule for other stoves and fireplaces. Top manufacturers aren't selling their products online or in big stores. You will have to contact them or go to their sites to find their dealers or trade professionals (architects and builders). See, for a list of reputable fireplace and stove manufacturers and some basic shopping guidelines: Best fireplace and stove companies. Installation, venting issues, assistance and servicing is also provided by those dealers or through them.

best fireplace and stove servicing

Some regional organizations like, for instance, the Maine Pellets Fuels are excellent for advice or to get assistance. But it's rather an exception. On chimney issues and wood-burning issues, organizations like the Chimney Safety Institute (EUA, Canada) can also be helpful. Also in USA and Canada you can try to find professional assistance through the Resnet database.

But the most direct and often the best way to get professional servicing is to contact fireplace manufacturers dealers. The best stove and fireplace companies provide their dealers with the parts, accessories, equipment and training to service, repair and maintain their equipment. See: Best fireplace and stove companies