Unless you live way out away from any city, you're probably concerned with air pollution. Traffic, factories, dust, pollen, mold spores, wildfires and even distant volcanoes all contribute to pollution in our air. Did you know that you could be contributing too? You aren't driving a massive diesel truck, but that doesn't mean you're eco-friendly. In fact, you may be contributing to air pollution every time you make a fire in your living room fireplace.

The harsh truth is that home fireplaces are a factor in air pollution. Smoke forms when wood or other organic matter burns. The smoke from wood burning is made up of a complex mixture of gases and fine particles. In addition to particle pollution, wood smoke contains several toxic air pollutants including benzene, formaldehyde, acrolein, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). It's not all bad news, though. The more efficiently you burn wood, the less smoke is created. This is where Fireside Chimney can help. 

You can minimize your personal air pollution at the same time you reduce your fuel costs by installing a wood burning insert inside your fireplace. That's right, not only will you be living in a more eco-friendly way but you'll be saving money too. You're helping the environment at the same you're helping your own bank account. At Fireside Chimney, we sell an amazing insert, the Timberwolf EPI22-1. This fireplace insert is basically a wood stove, with the small difference being that it is designed to sit inside your fireplace rather than being a freestanding appliance. When you install this insert, the heat is then radiated out into the room. You can trust that this will make your home more energy efficient, because it is certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This means it burns clean enough, thanks to operating at a higher temperature than an open fireplace. It does so by recirculating combustion gases through a series of baffles and chambers where it is further combusted. 

Smoke is not good for you. The biggest health threat from smoke is from fine particles. These microscopic particles can get into your eyes and respiratory system, causing burning eyes, runny nose, asthma, and bronchitis. That is why at the same time you install a fireplace insert, you should also install a stainless steel chimney liner. By installing a stainless steel chimney liner along at the same time as the insert, you improve the draft of your chimney system and make your home even more efficient. It takes the smoke up and away, sending it outside where it belongs. 

Fireplaces can damage our health and the environment if we're not careful. In neighborhoods everywhere across the country, residential wood burning is a growing source of air pollution. You see, fireplaces release far more air pollution, indoors and out, than heaters using other fuels. You don't need to be a part of the problem, though! With two new products, you can save money and live in a more eco-friendly manner. Plus, you'll breathe in less smoke!