Chat with the EPA Guy

Last week we had a couple drive down from Pennsylvania to purchase an electric fireplace. He was almost embarrassed to mention to me that he works for the EPA (Environmental Protection Association) and that he had shopped extensively at local stores for electric fireplaces and had not found a model that fit his needs. He wanted an electric fireplace because his job focuses on cleaning up the environment and he feels that wood smoke does a great deal of harm to the atmosphere.

He mentioned that in the valley where he lives, the air stagnates on some days and it is hard to breathe from the smoke that does not move around and dissipate properly. He related stories of being sent to homes where citizens burn trash in barrels in their yards, or have recreational fires in outdoor firepits, or use outdoor wood furnaces to heat their homes, and he asks these homeowners to consider how the smoke they produce affects neighbors with breathing problems miles away. He indicated that at the present time he can't tell them to cease burning fires that bother their neighbors but that this may change before long due to the government's quest to clean up our environment.

It was such an interesting opportunity for me! I got my start in the "hearth" industry selling wood stoves in 1979 as an alternative heating source for Americans who wanted an alternative to foreign oil; a home-grown American fuel that was a renewable energy source that would sustain us in the tough times ahead. Wood heat and its answers for a troubled American economy bring a sense of deja vu to these current times, but as this gentleman and I agreed, these times are different: we now also worry about our "carbon footprints" and how "green" a product is.

This fella was a really nice guy; his job is serving the public and he believes in what he's doing. So do the folks selling wood stoves, even if the two jobs seem at odds with each other. Our store chooses not to sell wood burning products simply because there are no models produced in the sizes that fit the niche of customers we sell to; if they WERE available then we would surely be offering them.

This gentleman indicated there may be tougher times ahead for the wood stove industry and for wood stove users. As Mike and I also burn wood at home, I am taking his advice to heart and would like to share the insight I gained from him, which is to be considerate of your neighbors when burning wood, because it's their complaints and concerns that may lead to bans on what we can burn in our home in the future. So here's my advice:

*Burn only dry, seasoned wood - this produces less smoke
*Try to avoid burning wood on days when there's little or no air moving
*Keep your chimney clean - this helps provide optimal draft and less smoke
*Burn hotter, smaller fires instead of trying to go for long, slow fires. Again, this produces less smoke
*Don't burn trash in your stove or fireplace. Don't burn trash in your yard, either.
*Retire your old wood stove and opt for a cleaner burning model - we don't even sell them so I have nothing to gain from telling you to replace it, except that your actions may help protect my ability to keep burning wood when I want to.

Remember that it's always easier to try and be a good neighbor on a voluntary basis than to be regulated by law and have your freedoms banned. The hearth industry is too small to fight the government to protect this freedom for you. While Victorian Fireplace thinks electric fireplaces are a great alternative for many people, we want you to have the option of buying what you want, even if it's something that we DON'T sell.
-Karen

November 18 2008

What's more classy than to arrive at Victorian Fireplace Shop in your 1937 cherry red 1937 (Ford) Cadillac convertible, newly rebuilt? Steve managed to fit his new litte electric fireplace in his sweet little car that he just rebuilt. Hey Steve, this car is such a traffic stopper, do you mind just parking it here for a few days?

VICTORIAN FIREPLACE SHOP offers America's largest selection of small English & Victorian fireplaces, electric fireplaces, distinctive mantels & unique fireplace accessories.
1-866-GASCOALS (1-866-427-2625)



We're Moving!

After much discussion about renewing the lease on our retail store (which we have quickly outgrown) we're pleased to have found a new building with much more space, just 1/2 block away. Formerly a motor bike shop, our new location will triple our retail space so that we can display a much greater variety of products. We will spend several weeks with painting and other decorating details to make the property more suitable for us. Meanwhile, we need to clear out our warehouse!

As luck would have it, our early buy shipments for Fall have been arriving for some weeks now and our warehouse is jam-packed with inventory which we'd rather not have to move to the new building - we can reorder when we're all settled in at the new place. Frankly, we'd rather sell it all than move it, so now's your chance to get a great deal on every single item we have in stock. This includes our floor models and burn displays at even bigger savings so if you're a savvy shopper that can enjoy an off-season bargain, then get shopping! Here are the details:

ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING ON OUR WEBSITE is 10% off.

If you're buying online then just enter tenpercent and hit the promo button and the discount is immediate at checkout.

Save 10% more if you come get it, rather than having the item shipped to you. That way, Art and Mike don't have to stop painting to pack your order, so not only do you save 9%shipping costs, you also get that extra 10% "you haul-it" discount.

Would you like to save 49%?

Floor Models and Burn Displays - such as mantels and burning fireplaces - are an extra 20% off. These items may have some dings from wear & tear or may be in perfect condition, but we're installing all new displays in the new store, so these have got to go. So, get a floor sample or burn unit and you save 20% plus 10%, then if you pick it up you're saving 9% on shipping AND getting 10% off for picking it up - that's a total savings of 49%!

See Our Floor Models & Burn Displays

Go to the bottom of this page, click any photo and get complete sale details.

Bigger savings are available on miscellaneous merchandise, some of that stuff we didn't even know we had tucked away in the warehouse. Just keep in mind that when the stock is gone, so is the discount - so shop early for the best selection and the best deals!

NEW PRODUCTS

Great new items have just been added to our website - click here to see our new arrivals.

In March we attended our annual fireplace convention and got to see all the great new products being introduced to the market. Here's a brief rundown of the new trends in fireplace decor:

~Very contemporary styles in gas and electric fires. Instead of traditional logs, designers are using stones, glass beads, marbles, metal twigs, salt rocks and more as a means of combining fire with art.

~Lots of wall mount fireplaces; again, this works into the "fire as artwork" concept, bringing the fire up where it's more visible from throughout the room and saving floor space, too. Think of a plasma tv that heats!

~Lots of copper finishes on new fireplace accessories, such as tool sets, screens, etc. Brass, chrome and pewter have all had their heydays in the past, so we guess this is a natural progression.

~Higher efficiency and cleaner burning products, which helps make hearth products an even more desired means of cutting heat costs.

~"Green" products: everything from fuels to new products that have been manufactured with greener manufacturing concepts, and products that bring attention to the concept that fireplaces maintain indoor air quality in a way not imagined years ago.

~Electric fireplaces with air purifiers or cool air settings to help circulate the air in the room.

And since warm weather is arriving, be sure and take a peek at our new table top and floor fans - and even fans for outdoors.

Visit Our Website: http://www.gascoals.com/