Easy And Efficient Ways To Heat Your Home (NAPSA)—Fireplaces rank among the top three features desired by new homebuyers, according to the National Association of HomeBuilders. Today’s consumers not only want ambience but also want to capture the heat. Older fireplaces provide the ambience of a roaring fire but send most of their heat up the chimney. Manufacturers have responded with attractive fireplaces, stoves and other options that warm living areas of the home while saving money on heating bills. Each year, hearth manufacturers offer more products in sizes, styles and colors to match any home decor, with fea- —— — Where’s the fire? With new hearth products, the answer can be “Wherever you want.” paint. Today’s stoves are veryeffi- cient, produce minimal ash, burn tures to enhance overall enjoyment. In addition, many hearth products can be safely—and affordably—installed in an existing room without the need for major remodeling. Whether updating an existing fireplace or adding a new one, there’s a variety of options to fit virtually any budget. These include: Fireplaces—Factory-built sys- longer and uselessfuel. Fireplace inserts—These units install into existing fireplaces to improve efficiency and environmental impact by reducing smoke up the chinney. Log sets—If you have an existing fireplace but dislike hauling in the logs and scooping out the ash, a gas or electric log to purchase andinstall. They use a safe, lightweight chimney (or no chimney at all) and can be easily installed in almost any room. Stoves—The most versatile hearth product, freestanding stoves can be made from cast iron, steel or stone and come in a wide selection of sizes and styles fin- fingertips. The experts at the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association remind consumers that it is important to evaluate product efficiency with the price of the selected fuel in your area and to have the product installed by a National Fireplace Institute technician. To learn more, visit www.hpba.org. tems are surprisingly inexpensive ished in porcelain, enamel or set puts an instant fire at your
