During the winter fireplaces tend to be the focal point of many homes. But the typical open masonry fireplace is not an efficient or environmentally sensitive heating source.

Most efficient and eco friendly fireplaces are either fireplace inserts, or free standing stoves. They tend to produce less pollution than standard fireplaces.

First, decide if you are interested in a fireplace insert or stove primarily for heating or for decorative purposes.

For more serious heat, consider wood and pellet stove inserts, or wood and pellet stoves.

When considering pellet stoves or fireplace inserts, you should know the following:

Pellet stoves: Wood pellets are 3/8 of an inch to 1 inch.

The pellets are made from compressed sawdust, wood chips, bark, agricultural waste and other organic materials.

Pellets are much more convenient to operate and have much higher combustion and heating efficiencies than ordinary wood stoves or fireplaces. As a result, pellet stoves produce very little air pollution and are considered the cleanest of the solid fuel-burning residential heating appliances.

For more information on pellet stoves and inserts for your home, contact St. Croix Stoves.

Mother Nature Network