Convert a Drafty Fireplace to an Efficient Heat Source

High heating bills are once again a concern this year and homeowners are looking for alternative ways to affordably heat their homes. Burning wood for heat is a traditional choice, but the wood burning fireplaces of yesteryear are inefficient, drafty and send most of the heat up the chimney. Fortunately, affordable alternatives do exist, such as the Quadra-Fire® insert.

A Quadra-Fire insert retains the authenticity of a wood fire while providing an efficient and clean source of heat. Quadra-Fire has patented “Quad Burn” technology to create the cleanest burning non-catalytic line of wood inserts and stoves for the past 20 consecutive years. Specifically, Quad Burn technology allows the appliance to burn almost all of the smoke from the wood, converting it to home-warming heat.

Wood heat is also environmentally friendly and is considered to be “carbon-neutral,” as burning wood releases only the carbon absorbed by a tree while it was growing. The same carbon is released whether the wood rots, burns in a forest fire or is used to heat a home. This, combined with Quadra-Fire’s clean burn design, makes a Quadra-Fire among the “greenest” of home heating choices.

Build Fires Quickly with Wood
In addition to the eco-friendly properties of Quadra-Fire inserts, they also feature the Automatic Combustion Control (ACC) system. First introduced in 2003 on the 7100fp fireplace, ACC is continuing to transform the award-winning Quadra-Fire line. This year, the 3100i becomes the first wood insert with ACC technology.

With ACC, re-loading and maintaining a fire is quick and easy. A timer system tied to the air controls feed the fire with plenty of air, helping the new load of firewood get established and making sure the fire gets up to the right temperature to sustain itself. As the timer winds down, the air controls adjust to the homeowner’s desired burn rate, providing just the right amount of heat without having to keep close watch on the fire. After establishing a coal bed, simply load in the next full load of firewood, shut the door, set the timer control, and the work is complete.

“Anyone can be a master fire builder, whether or not they are accustomed to heating with wood,” says Steve Tate, Quadra-Fire brand manager. “It’s a great way to contribute to reducing our dependence on fossil fuel and becoming more energy independent.”

The 3100i-ACC wood insert will be available at Quadra-Fire dealers and distributors nation-wide this fall.

Quadra-Fire® is a brand of Hearth & Home Technologies Inc., a company that leads the industry with a wide range of brands with environmentally sustainable whole hearth systems. Quadra-Fire hearth products deliver high performance and durability that lets homeowners capture fire’s full potential as a clean energy source and a visual asset in the home. Durable, high-efficiency Quadra-Fire stoves, inserts and fireplaces meet the guidelines established by the USGBC (LEED for Homes) and NAHB Green Building Standard for sustainable building practices.

Hearth & Home Technologies leads the industry with a wide range of environmentally sustainable whole hearth systems. The Hearth & Home Technologies family includes Heatilator®, Heat & Glo™, Quadra-Fire® and Harman brand hearth products and Fireside Hearth & Home™ brand hearth design centers. The company’s environmentally sustainable fireplaces provide energy-efficiency, warmth/comfort and excellent indoor air quality. Hearth & Home Technologies’ environmentally sustainable fireplaces are also manufactured, packaged and delivered with respect for the environment. Hearth & Home Technologies is a subsidiary of HNI Corporation (NYSE: HNI), the second largest office furniture manufacturer in the United States.

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