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Home My WebLink AboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1981-10-28, Page 32Paget Fireside facts and fantasies — Our fascination with the flames in an open fireplace contains a flicker or two of prehistoric survival in- stincts: warmth to fight off the numbing cold, light to guard against the unknown night. The fireplace has other ap- peals, too. The welcoming convivial atmosphere when company arrives. The warm glow of gentle firelight. And for many people, the nostalgia for a happier, simpler lifestyle. The advent of central heating systems - more effi- cient, more convenient - put a damper on the use of fireplaces. The dark neglected cavities in the wall were bricked in and papered over. Millions of new homes' were built in the forties and fifties with forced air heating, and no fireplace at all. The furnace had become the heart of the heating system, but where was the soul? As life in the age of televi- sion became more complex, many people sought reminders of the slower - paced stability of earlier. times. Interest in the fireplace was rekindled, not for its heating ability but as a feature to give character to a home. Builders found that new home buyers were will- ing to pay the extra cost of a fireplace in the living room or family room, or both. When the fireplace was rediscovered, so too were some of the disadvantages of an open fire. Perhaps there was too much smoke in the room at times. Or an occa- sional spark on the rug. And youngsters near an open fire need constant vigilance. The energy crisis has created greater awareness of two other problems. The cost of . firewood has escalated in most regions. And there is now general ac- ceptance of the fact an open fire usually causes a net loss of heat in the home, since up to 90 percent of the heat from the fire goes up the chimney and warm air is drawn otlt of the house as the fire burns down. Is there a solution? A host of manufacturers think there is, so many in fact that some of them may not survive to honour their warranties. They offer many alter- natives. Let us look at how they relate to your needs. ' You may be inclined to make an all-out commitment to reducing your heating bill by installing a plate steel or cast iron airtight stove in your fireplace opening. Most of these units are very effi- cient, burning a load of good hardwood for ten hours or so. People who are serious about replacing most of the cost of their oil, gas or elec- tric heating system burn their airtights 24 hours a day. It would be prudent, though, to calculate your cost of firewood, check for CSA approval, and consider the difficulty in removing these heavy units to clean the chimney. Efficient as they are, air- tight stove inserts are not to everyone's liking.. You may not want to keep one burning day and night. And what if you are one of those people who feel that a heavy unit jutting out into the room defeats the whole idea of a cosy fireplace atmosphere? The other alternatives in- volve glass door enclosures mounted flush or alinost flush with the fireplace fac- ing. aring. Not quite the same as an open fire. But certainly the next best thing. Glass doors offer some protection against smoke and sparks, especially if they are screened. But they do little to increase the effi- ciency of your fireplace. The addition of curved air tubes helps considerably by in- creasing the' flow of warm air back into the room. Many people have installed a glass Fireplaces have appeal Coal is staging a comeback as a fuel alternative Coal, the fuel that fired the industrial revolution, is staging a comeback. Because of its abundant supply throughout the world, coal is regarded as a natural alternative to petroleum. Canada has vast coal resources and has the potential not only to meet its own coal needs, but it also has enough to export to other nations. According to a Federal Government sur- vey, Canada has more than 5.8' billion tonnes of coal, recoverable with existing technology at today's prices. At current rates of con- sumption, that's enough to last for centuries. Most of Canada's coal is located in a broad band that sweeps down through most of Alberta and eastern British Columbia. There are commercial deposits also in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia and substantial un- tapped reserves in the Yukon and Northwest Territories. Pockets of low-grade coal are also found in Saskat- chewan. Many of Canada's coal deposits are shallow and can be mined by highly productive and relatively Iow-cost surface mining methods. About 85 per cent of the country's coal is produced this way. Most Canadian coal supplies power stations, mainly those in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario. Coal provides about 9.8 per cent of the country's energy needs. Most of our exported coal is • sold to the Pacific rim countries which are hungry for fuel to power their developing industries, especially steel -making. These overseas sales make a significant and positives contribution to the Canadian economy annually. Today, the social and environmental effects of mining and burning coal are major concerns of the in- dustry and its customers. When a surface mine is completed, the land is restored, often making it more suitable for farming. If people's homes and farms are .affected by mining, resettlement and com- pensation programs are devised to lessen disrup- tions. Scientists are working to overcome pollution problems associated with coal use. New technologies have been developed and are continually being improved to control emissions. Also, federal and provincial regulations strictly govern coal use to safeguard the environment. In a world faced with a shortage of oil, Canada's large coal reserves are an important link, in bridging .the energy gap until other viable sources can be found. door and tube system together with a blower, and are pleased with the result. For about the same price as a good glass door and tube system, there is a new unit called a warm air fireplace heater, designed for use in all - masonry fireplaces. It has screened glass doors, an insulated decorator sur- round, and a double wall steel combustion chamber lined on the bottom with firebrick. Air is heated as it rises between the steel walls and emerges through the top grill to circulate around the room. The largest manufacturer in Canada of this type of heater, Hevac-FirePlace Furnace in Mississauga, On- tario claims that their unit uses only a quarter the amount of wood consumed in an open fire, and that many owners are able to set their thermostats lower while the fireplace is in use. Their unit, called "The In- set", is self-contained and slides into most fireplace openings without structural change. It has an optional electric fan for increased air circulation. Several thou- sand of these CSA -certified units were installed in Cana- dian homes last winter. You should note, though, that' fireplace heaters are not air -tight. They ace not designed to burn all night. Also, the manufacturer cau- tions against using pressed synthetic logs because of the quick intense heat they generate. So, while the choice of pro- ducts , to enclose your �x `� 'PROFESSIONAL CHIMNEY SWEEP 1 1 i fireplace may seem bewildering at first, break it down to the different types. You may find a way to con- tinue to enjoy the visual ap- peal of your fireplace without watching your heating dollars go up the chimney. Time Ira Cleafflou Well do a thorough job... using the latest methods to remove creosote, grime, residue. Chimneys, Flues. 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