ELECTRIC FIREPLACE
Electric Fireplace
How to install insert.
Are you sick and tired of looking at the same old fireplace in your living room? Do you want to salvage it? If you do, you better think first. That fireplace alone cost you a lot of money, excluding the payment for the installation and the heating bills you paid for. Now, would that not be a total waste of money? One thing that you might do is to have a fireplace insert installed.
The average fireplace already serves as a prepared hole that will make the installation simpler and easier. And the good news is that this fireplace insert can generate more heat as opposed to the normal open fireplace, making it the perfect heat source for your home. The fees for using the fireplace will rely on how often you use it. But if you are a person who usually pays for heating during the winter season, then it is better to go for an insert since it is a cheaper alternative.
You now know what the fireplace insert is for. The second thing you should learn is how to install one. Simplicity is beauty and this certainly applies here. You need not pay for installation services of other people because you can do it all by yourself. What you need for doing so are screws, screwdriver, flue liner, aluminum snips, a piece of heavy cardboard, chalk and a chimney caulk.
The first step that you should take when you install a fireplace insert is to set the piece of cardboard on the hearth, which can be found just in front of the fireplace. Position the insert on the cardboard and very carefully, slide it onto the rear wall of the fireplace. You should make sure that you get to center your insert in the fireplaces opening. Then, get rid of the damper. Slide your flue liner from the top of the chimney and attach it in the flue collars adapter (this may be found at the top part of your insert). Secure the flue liner and collar in place with the use of screws. Then, remove any additional liner left at the top of the chimney while using the snips. When you are finished with it, you should then mark some lines, using the chalk, in the top and sides of the insert in alignment with the front part and the sides of the opening of the fireplace.
Here comes the hard part. You should carefully pull the fireplace insert out, enough for you to make use of the ready-made holes in the top and the sides. Vigilantly put together the top extender panel to the insert using the screws that were provided. Position the panel in such a way that the chalk lines will be concealed. Now that you concealed them, tighten the screws. Next, do the same procedure using the side panels. Once you are done, put some chimney caulk into the joints and seams between the insert and extender panels and the top and side panels respectively. Finally, set up the insulation strips in the panel's back part. Then, slide back the insert onto its original place.
By following these steps, you can install a fireplace insert all on your own. Although it looks a bit complicated, it is in truth very simple and easy. Having a fireplace insert installed can really be beneficial to your home.
Electric Fireplace
How to buy and install. tips.
You may be amazed but the entire process of purchasing and installing an electric fireplace can be all competed in less than a single day. This may seem unbelievable but it is possible to do and anyone is able to do it. There is no need to call a handyman, no need to hire a remodeling crew, and no need to beg your crafty and mechanically inclined neighbor to help you. Compared to other fireplace options, such as gas logs, gas inserts, pellet stoves, or traditional wood-burning fireplaces, purchasing and installing an electric fireplace really is a piece of cake.
The first step is obviously purchasing the electric fireplace. This is a step that you cannot bypass. Most of the time you need to really look and determine the exact look or style of the fireplace that you want. Just remember that electric fireplaces aren't purchased because they are efficient ways to heat a home--in truth they are somewhat glorified space heaters and are not an alternative heating option. They consume a goodly amount of power, but if you turn down your central heating and stay in the room where you'll be using the electric fireplace, you can find them enough to keep your area cozy. Because electric fireplaces aren't really alternative heat sources, you will mostly be choosing yours based on style and getting the look you want. You should however, look for the most energy efficient models you can find to reduce the energy costs.
To install the actual electric fireplace all you generally need to do is decide upon a location that is close to a power outlet. This is essential so that you can plug it up and ensure that you are not having to use an extension cord to reach the plug. This may mean you need to change your intended location to a place that is closer to the power plug. If you are looking to put an electric fireplace in a location that does not have a plug, you could always have a plug installed in the location that you want.
I recommend putting your fireplaces somewhere the plug and cord will be hidden. Most models come with mantels or surrounds that make the fireplaces look real, but it's quite the giveaway if there's a power cord snaking out from behind your fireplace and running across the room.
Once you have selected the location you want the electric fireplace installed in you need to determine how exactly the unit mounts to the wall. Many just use screws or hooks to hang from the wall which will need some preparation work in order to ensure that the installation goes smoothly. Some units are entirely freestanding, so you don't even need a tool to "install" them. Generally, once you have the unit attached to the wall the only part of installation that is left is simply plugging the unit in. This is overall such a simple process that anyone is capable of installing a great new electric fireplace in only a few minutes time and enjoying the warmth and ambiance of the flames.
Overall, an electric fireplace is a great way to add a nice cozy touch to your home for a low price and with little labor required. Home improvement just got easier and this is the easiest it can possibly get.
Electric Fireplace