The Chimney Sweep Online Fireplace, Woodstove, Gas Stove and Barbecue Shop

Sweep's Library FAQ's

Over the years, we've created several handouts to answer our Customers' Frequently Asked questions. Just click on any title below to read about the highlighted subject:

Chimney Info:

• Manufactured Wood Stove Chimney Basics

• Direct Vent Gas Stove Chimney Basics

• Do I need to reline my chimney?

• Sizing Masonry Chimney Liners

• Oversized Fireplace Insert Chimneys

• Oversized Woodstove Chimneys

• Undersized Chimney Liners

• Pedestal Chimneys

• Unlined Fireplace Insert Chimneys

• Unlined Masonry Chimneys

• Installing Wood Stove Chimney Liners

• Installing Wood Fireplace Insert Chimney Liners

• Installing Blanket Wrap Liner Insulation

Chimney Cleaning Info

• Exactly what is Creosote?

• Glaze Creosote & how to remove it

• "Burning Out" creosote in the flue

• Does the Chimney Sweeping Log work?

Chimney Troubleshooting

• Draft problems: causes & solutions

• Too much updraft: what to do?

• Why does our fireplace smell when we're not using it?

• Why does smoke pour in through the downstairs fireplace when we have a fire upstairs?

• Is it OK to vent a woodstove and an oil stove into the same flue?

• Adding a woodstove chimney to a yurt

• Measuring Chimney Height

Gas Stove, Insert & Fireplace Info

• Venting Your Direct Vent Gas Stove

• Natural Gas Stove Comparison Table (with BONUS power range chart)

• LP Gas Stove Comparison Table (featuring FREE power range chart)

• Gas Stove Viewing Window Comparison Page

• Gas Fireplace Comparison Table (power range chart included at no extra charge)

• Gas Fireplace Viewing Window Comparison Page

• Natural Gas Fireplace Insert Comparison Table (with ever-popular power range chart)

• LP Gas Fireplace Insert Comparison Table (power range chart? You betcha!)

• Gas Insert Viewing Window Comparison Page

• Installing the Hearthstone Tribute DV logset

• Installing the Mendota Chelsea M-27 logset

• Installing the Mendota DXV-35 Deep Timber II logset

• Installing the Mendota DXV-45 Deep Timber logset

• Installing the Mendota DXV-60 Deep Timber logset

• Installing the Mendota Seabrook D-40 Deep Timber logset

Gas Stove Troubleshooting

• Gas Appliance Service Checklist

• Gas Supply Pipe Sizing Chart

• What is this white haze on my viewing window?

• Why do we smell gas whenever we light our LP stove?

• Why won't my gas insert work when the cold wind blows?

Gas Stove FAQ's

• Can I convert my woodstove to gas?

• How much gas can I expect to burn in my gas fireplace?

• Gas Stoves & Inserts vs. Gas Furnaces: which is cheaper to operate?

• Why should Gas Flues be inspected?

• Are there two sided gas inserts for my see-through or L-shaped fireplace?

• How do I get my remote control to work?

• How do I light my pilot?

• How do I light my Hearthstone Sterling HT pilot?

• How do I light my Mendota Medallion pilot?

Vent Free Gas Fireplaces and Why We Don't Sell Them

• Vent-Free gas appliances: our opinion

• Letters from Vent-Free gas appliance owners

• A posting about Vent-Free gas appliances from an indoor air quality scientist

• Report: Effects of long-term exposure to CO gases

• A Leading Consumer Magazine Tests Vent-Free Gas Fireplaces

• How much CO2 does a vent-free fireplace produce?

• Inquiry: Can exhaust from vent-free gas logs cause nosebleeds?

• Are Vent-Free Alcohol Fireplaces Safe?

• Letters in defense of vent-free products

Wood Stove Info

• Wood Burning Basics

• Wood Stove comparison chart - sortable by several categories

• Wood Stove Viewing Window Comparison Page

• Wood Insert comparison chart - sortable by several categories

• Wood Insert Viewing Window Comparison Page

• Wood Stoves: Comparing Stated BTU Ratings

• Wood Stoves: Build-it-yourself advice

• Wood Stoves: Pacific Energy's EBT Technology

• Wood Stoves: Lighting a soapstone stove

• Cooking on a Wood Cookstove

• Masonry Heaters: are they more efficient than today's wood stoves?

The 2009 - 2010 IRS 30% Wood Stove Tax Credit

• About the 2009 - 2010 IRS Wood Stove Tax Credit

• The IRS Tax Credit: Do any stoves meet the 75% efficiency requirement?

• Where to get certificates for IRS wood stove tax credit

Wood Stoves: EPA Regulations

• EPA Emissions Regulations: Are they going to outlaw wood stoves?

• EPA Regulations II: Is my old wood stove "Grandfathered In?"

• Testing the EPA wood stove technology: excerpt from Hearth & Home Magazine

• EPA Approved Wood stoves: How do they reburn the exhaust?

• EPA Approved Wood stove Technology: Catalytic Vs. Non-Catalytic

• What does "EPA Exempt" mean?

Wood Stove Troubleshooting

• Why can't I turn my new woodstove down as far as I want?

• What is woodstove overfiring, and how can I avoid it?

• Why does my woodstove back-puff when I turn down the draft control?

• Extending Fireplace Insert Surround Panels to Cover Large Fireplace Openings

• Connecting Stainless Chimney Liners To Tight-Fitting Fireplace Inserts

Wood Stove FAQ's

• Can I preheat my tap water with my new woodstove?

• Will a stovepipe heat exchanger give me more heat?

• Can I convert my woodstove to gas?

• Which is more efficient: a woodstove in the fireplace, or a fireplace insert?

• Are there two sided wood inserts for my see-through or L-shaped fireplace?

• Why doesn't somebody make an all-glass wood stove?

• Wood stove Ratings: Will I get a lemon?

• How long can I expect my wood stove to hold a fire?

• Can I burn my wood fireplace insert with the blower off?

• Woodstoves: Why do they all have viewing windows? Don't they just break?

Fuel Wood Info

• Firewood FAQ'S

• Firewood: Which species is best to burn?

• Firewood: Why not burn mill ends?

• Wet Firewood: Why not burn it?

• How can I tell if my firewood is dry, seasoned and ready to burn?

• How do compressed sawdust logs compare to cordwood?

Miscellaneous

• Fireplace measurement template: helpful if you're planning gas logs, doors, or an insert

• Mobile Home Woodstove installation checklist

• Why does our fireplace smell when we're not using it?

• Why does smoke pour in through the downstairs fireplace when we have a fire upstairs?

• Breaking in your new wood or gas appliance

• Wood vs. Gas: Which fuel is better for the environment?

• Pellet stoves: Why we don't sell them

• About our Inspection Reports

• Heating With Various Fuels: cost comparison chart

• Why burn outside air?

• Outside combustion air: a conflicting opinion?

• About Porcelain Stove and Fireplace Finishes

• The wall behind our stove feels too hot

• Radiant vs Convection Heaters: what's the diff, and which is better?

• Floor Protection: R-Values of several common hearth materials

• Our Privacy Policy

• How Motor Freight Works

• Links to Sites of Interest

• Complimentary Letters

Product Warranties

• Our 30 day Product Guarantee

• Our Warranty Policy

• Big Green Egg Limited Lifetime Warranty

• Bis Ultima Wood Fireplace 25 Year Warranty

• Ecofan Warranty

• Fire Magic Limited Lifetime Warranty

• Forever Flex "FOREVER" Warranty

• Hearthstone Woodstoves Limited Lifetime Warranty

• Hearthstone Hase Collection Woodstove Warranty

• Hearthstone Gas Products Limited Lifetime Warranty

• Heartland Classic Appliances Warranty

• Kent Woodstoves Limited Lifetime Warranty

• Mendota Gas Products Limited Lifetime Warranty

• Pacific Energy Woodstoves Limited Lifetime Warranty

• Pow R kraft Log Splitters Warranty

• Spark Modern Fires Limited Lifetime Warranty

• Vacu Stack Limited Lifetime Warranty

The Chimney Sweep, Inc. 913 Harris Avenue Bellingham, WA 98225-7032 1(888)-354-6722 toll-free 1(360)-676-9080 FAX www.chimneysweeponline.com To send us E-Mail, Click Standard E-Mail Window or (our reply form)
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