As the name implies, zero clearance fireplaces take up none of your floor space by having to be set away from a wall in order to prevent damage to the wall. The majority of freestanding fireplaces or alternative fuel stoves must be placed so that they are 36 inches from an unprotected wall. Even if you install fire protection on the wall, there can be reduced clearance but if you value your living space, you may not want to give up even a few inches.
A zero clearance fireplace is a unit you purchase which is prefabricated and used in homes which have no fireplace or chimney in the original design. These manufactured fireplaces are an affordable solution for home owners that want the warmth of a real fire but don’t want to spend a fortune modifying their house to include a traditional fireplace.
Fireplaces with zero clearance are available in designs that are fueled by wood, gas, electricity or alternative sources of fuel such as pellets or corn. Depending on your climate and how much you will use the fire as the main source of heat for a living area, you can save substantial money by changing from your forced air heaters, space heaters or central heating units. In cold northern climates, wood burning fires can save a home owner as much as 40% of the cost of electricity, natural gas, propane or other utilities used to heat the home. This ensures your pre-fab fireplace will pay for itself in only a few winters.
Basically, a zero clearance fireplace is a fire box which is connected to a double wall of steel or metal insulated chimney pipe to allow exhaust gases to escape. The piping required for these units is insulated so well that there does not have to be substantial space between the piping and the wall itself. The fire box can be placed right into the wooden 2 X 4 wall supports. This allows the fireplace to be located just about anywhere you desire in your home.
Many people who purchase a zero clearance fireplace like to add veneer stone or brick to give the look and feel of a traditional fireplace. Unlike traditional fires, no hearth is required but you can install one if you like the way it adds to your décor and fireplace design.
Old fashioned fireplaces are really not very fuel efficient but, because these pre-manufactured units burn much hotter, they can be as much as 70% more efficient. This simply means that they burn more of the fuel and release fewer by-products into the atmosphere. This also means that if you select a wood-burning unit, you’ll have much less ash to remove from the fireplace.
Zero clearance fireplaces are especially easy to maintain and keep clean. Because there is little or no fuel residue to remove, you do not have to clean your unit as frequently as you might expect. Shop around and you will be shocked at how many attractive styles and designs are available to meet your home heating needs.
Tags: wood burning fireplace, Zero Clearance Fireplaces, zero clearance insert