When it comes to accessorizing your home, there s simply nothing quite like a fireplace to set the mood and create ambiance. Aside from having tremendous aesthetic appeal, the right fireplace or free standing stove is also an energy efficient and smart alternative heating source. A sensible complement to any space, a quality fireplace is instantly memorable. If you re in the market for a fireplace product, but not exactly sure how to go about choosing the right one for your home, you re not alone. That s why we ve created this guide to help you organize your thoughts and outline your purchasing strategy. Armed with some information and a few smart buying tips, you ll be ready in no time to choose the perfect accompaniment to your home in an exceptional and practical fireplace. Deciding What Kind of Fireplace Product to Get Identify Your Goals If you ve taken the time to do some research, you probably know that there are countless options when it comes to fireplace products. Whether you re looking to showcase a traditional woodburning fireplace, reduce heating costs or just create a memorable place to relax with loved ones, the perfect fireplace is available. So what type should you get? The answer to that question comes from understanding why you are interested in having a fireplace in the first place. Is it to heat a specific room? Beautify and create a special ambiance? Maybe your goal is both. Still not sure? Here are a few of the most common reasons homeowners invest in fireplaces. Ace Hardware and Hearth Fireplaces, Hot Tubs, Grills & More! www.acehardwareandhearth.com 2
Heat Whole Home or Supplemental Warmth - Home heat is a popular reason for considering a fireplace. Whether you re looking to heat your entire home or simply supplement with more warmth in a particular room, the right fireplace can be an efficient, energy saving solution. Gas models are ideal for supplemental heat. Easy to use with minimal clean up, both inserts and free standing models fill the room with warm air for a comfortable, cozy environment. On the other hand, if you re looking to heat an entire home, there are fantastic money-saving options available, like a free standing pellet stove or wood burning stove, which offer more heating capacity. Home Value Increase the Worth of Your Home - It s hard not to love a gorgeous fireplace, and homes with fireplaces are in high demand. Homeowners who choose to complement a living room, bedroom, even an outdoor patio with a fireplace enjoy instant increased home value with that extra something special buyers are drawn to. With so many different styles and designs to choose from, it s easier than ever to outfit any space, creating the perfect focal point in a stunning and elegant fireplace that increases the worth of your home. Improved Efficiency - Save Energy and Money - With the costs of home heating skyrocketing year after year, the right fireplace product can significantly reduce energy use, saving you money. Why waste valuable electric heat trying to reach that cozy temperature during the winter months when a fireplace can supplement warmth for little cost? Savvy homeowners are considering their options with zone heating or fireplace products that turn traditional masonry fireplaces into efficient, heating solutions. Ambiance Look and Feel - Of course, a fireplace completes the perfect scene, adding warmth, style and instant ambiance to any room. With gorgeous hearth options, stunning detail and more, a fantastic fireplace product is always an inviting focal point. When friends and family gather, it s always a treat to sit by the fire. Thinking about your long-term goals and identifying what you want to accomplish with a fireplace will help you save time by eliminating those products that don't meet your needs. Ace Hardware and Hearth Fireplaces, Hot Tubs, Grills & More! www.acehardwareandhearth.com 3
Available Choices Hearth and Fuel Type Choosing the right fireplace product can be a little confusing, and it helps to break down the options by hearth and fuel type. With major differences, understanding what choices are available to you is a critical part of ensuring you get what you are looking for. Hearth Options: Traditional Fireplace - A traditional fireplace is a structure in the home that contains a firebox with a chimney or flue for smoke and exhaust to escape. A gorgeous fireplace and mantle adds to the overall look and feel of a room and is a desirable feature in new and older homes. Masonry fireplaces made from brick or stone can be fueled by wood, natural gas and propane sources. Fireplace Insert - A fireplace insert fits into the firebox of an existing masonry fireplace. All traditional fireplaces tend to be drafty and lose up to 75% of the heat produced up the chimney. The right insert gives homeowners the chance to enjoy the ambiance of an in home fireplace, save a lot of money on their fuel bill and minimize clean-up.inserts are surrounded by a metal panel, and can be fueled by pellet, natural gas, propane, wood or electric. Free Standing Stove - Clean and efficient, a free-standing stove is an easy option for affordable home heating. Small, medium and large models are available, making it easy to choose the perfect solution for a clean burning and efficient home heating solution. With wood, gas and pellet fueling options, there s a free-standing stove for every lifestyle and budget. Some models actually are of furniture quality and add value to the home. Ace Hardware and Hearth Fireplaces, Hot Tubs, Grills & More! www.acehardwareandhearth.com 4
Fuel Options: Wood - As a fuel source, wood is about as traditional as you can get for a hearth product and families have been enjoying the crackling sound and smell of burning wood for generations. An environmentally friendly green option, new blue sky wood fireplace inserts or stoves are efficient, clean burning and some are even thermostatically controlled, fan forced and have a 30 day battery back-up which can save as much as 40% of wood use.. Electric - Electric is a great way to get the same aesthetic appeal of a traditional wood-burning fireplace without much maintenance. The perfect solution for apartments and homes where venting is not possible, electric as a fuel source offers flexibility, portability and ease of use. Pellet - Pellet fueled stoves and fireplace inserts burn renewable green fuel. Compressed wood by-products, pellets are readily available and offer many conveniences. Heat can typically be regulated by a thermostat, while fans force the heat to distant areas and all of that with comparatively less maintenance while being extremely user-friendly. Unlike wood burning options, pellet fireplace products create a more constant heat level, making installation in a variety of locations possible. In some cases, the right pellet stove can heat an entire home. NOTE: only buy a pellet appliance from a dealer who will consistently have the premium pellet fuel available for you to buy for your stove or insert. Natural Gas/Propane - Fireplace products that rely on natural gas or propane can be installed almost anywhere, offering the most flexibility to the homeowner. Venting requirements are minimal, and with realistic flames and instant ambiance, gas is a popular option. An easy solution for supplemental heat, gas fireplace products can be turned on in an instant, and turned off when you leave the room no waiting for cool down! Gas is clean burning and requires little maintenance. Ace Hardware and Hearth Fireplaces, Hot Tubs, Grills & More! www.acehardwareandhearth.com 5
The Benefits of Zone Heating Zone heating has become more popular in recent years as many homeowners are looking for ways to reduce fuel costs and save money on expensive heating bills. Basically, with zone heating, you heat the areas of your home that you spend the most time in without using the wasteful central heating systems that send heat through cold metal duct work behind the walls into rooms after it has cooled down considerably. PUT THE WARM WHERE YOU WANT IT! As fuel costs rise, zone heating is a smart, practical and cost effective solution. Using a pellet, gas or wood burning fireplace, insert or stove allows you to turn down the heat on the furnace stat, saving you money. For additional effectiveness, turn the central system thermostat from auto to the fan position and the heat will be carried through the house ductwork to more distant rooms keeping them more comfortable. Ace Hardware and Hearth Fireplaces, Hot Tubs, Grills & More! www.acehardwareandhearth.com 6
Fireplace, Insert or Free Standing Stove Pros and Cons The good news is, there are plenty of choices available if you re looking to outfit your home with a fireplace or stove product. However, just as there are pros and cons to each fuel option, there are also benefits and disadvantages to each hearth type traditional fireplace, insert and freestanding stove that must be considered before making a final selection. Traditional Fireplace Pros: When it comes to creating ambiance, it s tough to beat the sensation of a traditional woodburning fireplace. A stunning focal point to any space the bedroom, living room, even outdoor patio, a lit fireplace is instant relaxation. Crackling wood and the scent of a wood-burning fireplace is divine. Cons: While wood burning fireplaces are spectacular, they do require significant maintenance both in terms of use and supplying wood. Tending to a lit fire is hard work, and with no off button, it can be inconvenient. Of course, with a wood-burning fireplace, ventilation is a must, and that means keeping a flue or chimney clean and in clean, working order. Insert Pros: If you have an existing fireplace built into your home, an insert is the perfect way to make it more functional and efficient. The right fireplace insert offers incredible flexibility. Pellet and gas inserts allow you to enjoy a relaxing, warm fireplace with the touch of a button, and can add instant value to your home. Even wood burning inserts can transform an otherwise drafty masonry fireplace into an efficient heat source. By installing an insert into the masonry opening, the Ace Hardware and Hearth Fireplaces, Hot Tubs, Grills & More! www.acehardwareandhearth.com 7
damper gets sealed off so there will be no cold area coming down the chimney and into the room from the open fireplace. Cons: While pellet, electric and gas models are convenient with little to no mess to clean, some say they lack the realism and appeal of a crackling wood burning alternative. However, modern inserts have come far since the original blue burning logs and with dancing flames, it can be tough to tell the difference. Free Standing Stove Pros: Free-standing stoves can be installed almost anywhere, making them the perfect choice for homes that can t accommodate a built-in model. A great option for home heating, wood, pellet and gas burning models can heat a large area easily. Stoves also add a hearth to a home that has no masonry fireplace. Cons: Wood-burning stoves offer the most heat capacity, but can be inconvenient to use. In addition, regardless of the fuel source pellet, wood or gas, stoves must have a hearth pad+ or another noncombustible material installed beneath, which can take up some floor space. Choose a Fireplace Dealership Carefully Look for Dealers That Offer Multiple Brands - If you re ready to buy, there are clear advantages of seeking out a local fireplace dealer that offers multiple brand names. Many hearth companies specialize in fireplaces and stoves, others only offer wood or electric. Dealers that sell multiple brands have typically done the research on the types and brands that sell best in your area and are experienced in knowing which option will fit your lifestyle best. Multiple Price Points to Meet Any Budget - Few people have unlimited discretionary spending, but for those of us on a budget, it s nice to know there are options. Dealerships with multiple brands available are more likely to offer products from a wide range of price points, making it possible for more of us to enjoy the luxury of an in home fireplace. Ace Hardware and Hearth Fireplaces, Hot Tubs, Grills & More! www.acehardwareandhearth.com 8
Don t Forget to Think about Installation and Service - Finally, the dealer you choose should be able to easily answer your questions about installation, maintenance and after-purchase service. Local dealers with service expertise will likely be able to help you care for and keep your fireplace product performing as it should, even after purchase. You usually only do this once. Choose a dealer that is factory and NFI certified along with being in business for a long time remember, you are entering fire into your home. Installation is a serious issue and it s critical you choose qualified experts. Remember, proper installation is key, saving you money and aggravation down the road. In Sum Whether you choose a fireplace insert for an existing hearth in your home, a large wood, pellet or gas burning stove as an alternative heat source or simply want to dress up a bedroom with an electric model, there are gorgeous fireplace options available at a variety of price points. While it may seem overwhelming at first, the key to buying a fantastic and practical fireplace product is to think about your goals ahead of time and narrow your choices accordingly. First and most importantly, choose a dealer that you know you can trust, who has been around for many years and who is open seven days per week if you need them. Then, decide on the type of fuel that fits your lifestyle, and whether or not you prefer the look of built-in versus free-standing models. If you understand why you are interested in bringing a fireplace into your home, it will be easier to narrow your choices to a few specific options. Be sure to look for dealerships with expertise in multiple brands. Even if you are sure what you are going to buy, having an expert guide you through the purchasing process who understands all fireplace products will ensure you get exactly what you are looking for. Finally, choose a dealer with installation and service expertise, and you ll have peace of mind that you ll be enjoying your new fireplace in no time! Ace Hardware and Hearth Fireplaces, Hot Tubs, Grills & More! www.acehardwareandhearth.com 9
About Us Named after Hardware Village, a two-story hardware chain that was to open next to television s Happy Days Howard Cunningham s hardware store (that never opened because its comptroller absconded with the company s money and ran off to the Bahamas!), Hardware Village opened in September 1978 at its current location on Crain Highway in Glen Burnie. Owners Michele and Pete Peterson and Edward and Lucille Lopes opened a small independent hardware store that had three employees and 4,200 to serve the western Glen Burnie, Severn and Millersville areas of Anne Arundel County. The store started off quickly, sales grew and it became apparent that there was a dire need for a better source of supply and support. The owners affiliated with Ace Hardware in 1980. The second store was conceived and opened in Lake Shore Plaza in Pasadena in 1983, as Ace Hardware & Home Center. In 2003, both store s names were changed to become the same Ace Hardware & Hearth, reflecting the more descriptive name of its function and direction. In 2006, our third location in Edgewater Ace Home & Leisure opened its doors. With a focus on fireplace, hot tubs, barbeque, birding and paint, Ace Home & Leisure has quickly become an area destination location. Ace Hardware Village became nationally known to many because it was through the persistent efforts of co-owner Pete Peterson that kerosene heaters became legal in Maryland. With help from Kero-Sun s legal team, Pete was the key figure in getting the Maryland state fire code overturned and Senate Bill 598 passed to allow citizens of Maryland to legally use kerosene heaters in their homes. With now nearly 100 employees, Ace Hardware & Hearth and Ace Home & Leisure are poised for excellent service. Ace thanks its loyal guests and associates for their faithful support that has made Ace the Helpful place. With Primo Brands, Rock Star parking, concierge-type help, Ace is a real value today. NATIONALLY KNOWN LOCALLY OWNED, it just doesn t get any better! Ace Hardware and Hearth Fireplaces, Hot Tubs, Grills & More! www.acehardwareandhearth.com 10
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