Just this week we finished and installation that gives a great idea of how our gas inserts fit into a home décor. In addition, these units provide tremendous warmth on cold mornings and in the evening when the family gathers together. Our key installation team does a spectacular job in installing the equipment and we always get favorable reviews when the job is done.

In this case, the homeowner had the granite cut by an expert in that business and had it placed upon the fireplace prior to our install. The granite was a single slab and was cut to specs with design help from the homeowner.

Here is the fireplace before the installation:

Here is a picture of the fireplace after installation:

If you wish to learn more about our fireplace inserts, give us a call or come by the showroom and see one burning. Our trained consultants will be able to help you plan the right insert at a price to fit your budget.

In Gilroy we are at:

6205 Engle Way

Gilroy CA 95020

408-848-4026 Ext. 107

In San Carlos we are at:

1300 Industrial Road

San Carlos CA 94070

650-593-1496

We look forward to meeting you!

It’s that time of year. It’s starting to have chill in the air when the sun goes down and before the sun comes out. If you have a masonry fireplace you know how much time it takes to get the wood fire burning and heat the room to acceptable temperature. Also, you get discouraged with how much heat just goes up the chimney and not into the room.

Now you can turn your old fireplace into an efficient heat source with instant warmth!

Our fireplace inserts are designed to transform virtually any metal or masonry fireplace into an efficient source of heat. Traditional open fireplaces can have efficiency ratings as low as 15% and can let valuable heat disappear up the chimney. Our gas inserts achieve efficiency ratings as high as 86% and our EPA certified  wood inserts as high as 71% with log size up to 24”. Wood inserts emit as little as 1.9 grams of particulates per hour, thus reducing pollutants by over 95%.

Both wood and gas inserts can work when there is a power outage and you can be warm and snuggly while your neighbors are in the dark and cold.

With our gas inserts we provide a wide range of beautiful faces and Architectural double doors to enhance your fireplace experience. These options, combined with reversible brick fireback, give your fireplace a look that is both appealing and modern.

The FireplaceXtrordinair award-winning Ember-Fyre combustion system is so realistic that many people mistake it for a real wood fire. Coupled with a modulating remote control, you can regulate the temperature, fan speed, and flame height from anywhere in the room.

Now is the time to come into our showroom and have one of our trained consultants help you to choose a system that is right for you. We have lots of options and will be sure that your choice is one that is right for your family and your pocketbook.

The AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT OF 2009 (RECOVERY ACT) signed into law on February 17, 2009, includes a 30% consumer tax credit (up to $1,500) for the purchase of 75%-efficient bio-mass burning stoves (i.e. wood and pellet)and can be used towards the stove, venting, hearthpads and installation costs for the 2009 taxable year and again in 2010. The new tax credit begins immediately and applies to qualifying bio-mass burning stoves already purchased in 2009; the IRS has issued a ful list of efficiency guidelines regarding which products qualify.

The Recovery Act is an unprecedented effort to jumpstart our economy, create or save millions of jobs, and put a down payment on long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century. The Recovery Act targets investments towards key areas that will save or create good jobs immediately, while also laying the groundwork for long-term economic growth – including $43 billion to “Revive the renewable energy industry and provide the capital over the next three years to eventually double domestic renewable energy capacity” – which offers a 30% consumer tax credit (up to $1,500) for the purchase of 75%-efficient bio-mass burning stoves (i.e. wood and pellets) and can be used towards the stove, venting, hearthpads and installation costs.

Consumers claim the credit on their federal income tax form at the end of the year.   The credit then increases the tax refund or decreases the amount the taxpayer has to pay, dollar-for-dollar; whereas, tax deductions simply lower your taxable income.   Please consult your tax advisor for more information. Additionally, all dealers will provide an efficiency verification certificate during the purchase – certifying that product qualifies for the tax credit.   Please keep a copy of this certificate for your records.

All Lopi eligible products, featured by the Energy House, have been independently tested and/or reviewed by industry laboratories – Omni Environmental Labs or Myren Consulting.  These third-party, independent testing laboratories ensure Lopi products meet or exceed the 75%-efficiency standard.   To our knowledge, no other hearth manufacturer has gone through this crucial step to ensure safety and accuracy. All of the LOPI wood stoves, wood stove inserts, pellet stoves and pellet stove inserts exceed the 75% efficiency standard.

All Lopi products are manufactured in Mukilteo, WA – so your purchase of these American-made products provides you with an efficient and lovely bio-mass burning stove, and ensures your support of the Recovery Act to assist our economy and protect American jobs, so our country can thrive in the21^st century. This is an important consideration to remember when purchasing a bio-mass burning stove.

As more manufacturers come online with the program, we will make those products available.

You may go to the website and view any of the products and then contact either of our showrooms for more assistance from our helpful consultants.

Gilroy  408-842-6570

San Carlos 650-593-1496

GREAT NEWS! The new 564 SS GreenSmart fireplaces are now available! Now, for a limited time, buy this new unit loaded with new features at current 564 SS prices!

The 564SS (Space Saver) IPI fireplace is Fireplace Extrordinair’s newest gas fireplace. With the combination of convective heat, radiant heat and reduced depth dimension the unit is ideal for zone heating in bedrooms, dens and intimate spaces. This unique unit features 564 square inches of high quality, high clarity, tempered glass with a removable safety screen. The patent-pending, GreenSmartTM System includes a collection of features that when combined – provide an elegant, smarter and greener way to heat the home.

IPI System: Intermittent Pilot Ignition (IPI) system allows you to run your fireplace ineither standing pilot mode – where the pilot flame continually stays on, ideal during periods of extreme cold when a draft is needed for safe, proper operation – or in the IPI mode, where the pilot flame turns off and thus conserves energy when the fireplace is not being operated. The IPI system includes a battery back-up, ensuring ignition even during power outages. This feature makes the 564 SS IPI the most “Green” fireplace you can own.

GreenSmartTM Remote: The optional GreenSmartTM control feature adjusts the burner flame to match the heat setting of the room. Whereas a conventional thermostat regulates heat by turning burners on/off, the remote automatically adjusts the burner flame up/down for an even room temperature and continual flame appearance – like cruise control for your fireplace!

This feature offers a more efficient way to heat the room by only burning the correct amount of fuel to keep a constant temperature; so it really is a smarter, “greener” way to heat the home.This ultimate hands-free control gives you the ability to control virtually every function of the fireplace from the confort of your couch. The “Smart” mode of the remote automatically modulates the fire and heat up and down to maintain the beauty of the fire and the right room temperature.

In the “Smart” mode your room will stay at a more constant temperature and you will be able to enjoy the beauty of the fire longer using the same amount or less fuel.

Glide-AwayTM Concealment Door: On many fireplaces, the controls are hidden by the external front faceplate, but the various valves and wiring can still be seen through grill. To provide an elegant final appearance, a concealment door comes standard on all gas units featuring the GreenSmartTM System – and conveniently opens/closes for easy access if adjustments are needed.

Automatic Control Panel LED Lighting: When the Glide-AwayTM Concealment Door is opened, the control panel lighting is automatically turned on to make viewing the controls easy.

Dancing-FireTM Dual Burner: Building off the patented, award-winning Ember-FyreTM gas burner technology known for its gorgeous fire with glowing embers – the New Dancing-FireTM displays a striking amount of dancing yellow flames and features a splitflow burner where two separate burners can be operated together for maximum heat output and flame appearance; or with only one burner for a magnificent turn-down ratio. This flexibility allows for a continual flame  appearance when lower heat output is needed; and when combined with the GreenSmartTM Remote – provides a smarter, greener way to heat the home.

The realistic “wood like” flame, along with the heat output can be controlled by the Convenient Comfort Control gas valve. The Comfort Control feature allows you to turn off part of the burner with the push of a button to really turn down the heat while maintaining the fire and glowing embers. This allows you to use your fireplace any season during the year.

Air Shutter Adjustment Panel: Both the front and rear burner air shutter adjustments are conveniently located near the control area just behind the Glide-AwayTM Concealment Door. Each shutter is color coded for easy identification of the front burner (red) and rear burner (yellow), when adjustments are needed. Best of all, this location eliminates the need to turn the unit off, cool down, and remove the glass and logs before adjusting.

Other Details:

Accent light is included as a standard feature for an added glow when the fireplace is on or off. This really showcases the fireplace in every setting.

Beautifully detailed logs and glowing embers are attractive at all flame levels. The 564 SS can be personalized for each room or house decor. Choose from something as simple as the basic grill to eleven different face options in various textures and rich colors. Multiple choice of firebacks are available in reversible ceramic brick, tile or stucco designs, or for a more contemporary look, stainless steel liner. Finally, you can complete your installation by adding a a quiet convection blower that is ideal for circulating the fireplace warmth quickly and evenly throughout the room increasing the overall efficiency of the fireplace.

Energy House factory-trained consultants are a valuable source of information and assistance for consumers. Any family that wants a fireplace or insert that is environmentally friendly, as well as economical, should discuss their desires with a member of our team.

We have showrooms in two locations. One is in Gilroy at 6205 Engle Way (408-482-6570) and one at 1300 Insustrial Road in San Carlos (650-593-1496).

For more information and directions, visit our website at www.energy-house.com.

The Illuminations Electric Fireplace is a breakthrough product which features an eclectic fusion of organic mediums: translucent calcite stone, bee’s wax, sand or glass and magnetic impulse flame technology that leads the viewer to an inevitable conclusion-an Interior Decorator has just transformed two beautiful fireplaces, one a sexy arched portrait style fireplace and the other an exquisitely proportioned panoramic see-through fireplace with a stunning collection of glowing stone, frosted and wax sleeve candelabras

.

However, these are not real fireplaces, and these are not real candles. They are the

Illuminations Electric Fireplaces by Fireplace Xtrordinair.

The warm, soothing candle flames appear to gently bend and flicker to an invisible draft. This movement is acutally created through a Patented electronic device that creates a magnetic impluse in and electronic switch circuit which is transferred to the “Flame” pendulum causing it to move independent of the other “Candles” in the fireplace. The contour shape and feathered coloration of the “Flame” pendulum appears as an almost perfect imitation of a candle flame.

There are two styles available.

One is the Arched Portrait Style fireplace which features three optional interiors and is 19″ wide X 42 1/8″ high and 8 1/2″ deep. It is available with a selection of either a black interior or optional interior niches as well as a see-thru version. The portrait style comes in Tumbleweed Travertine Tile, Curved Beeswax Brick, Classic Arched Shell or black.

The Panoramic Style fireplace can be converted from being one-sided to a see-thrpresentation and is 48″ wide X 18 1/4″ high and 8 1/4″ deep. In the one-sided model, the back of the unit is a mirrored interior which can be removed to become a see-thru.

The Bee’s Wax Candle Cores come in a variety of heights, diameters and wall thickness. The minerals deposits and rich colors in these translucent stone sleeves add to the mystic ambiance of the the illumination. A hewn-edge on the top of the calcite stone sleeves add to the charm of things hand-made.

The Illuminations Fireplace is a 110 volt hook-up. No venting is required and these fireplaces are approved for bathroom installation. Magnetic Impulse Electric flames do not produce any emissions or fumes. Operation is very efficient, either fireplace draws less current than a 40 watt light bulb. Life expectancy for “flames’ is 3000 hours.

For further directions or more information, visit our website at www.energy-house.com.

Is It A Wood or Gas Fire?
Patented Ember-Fyre Burner Technology

We feature the patented Ember-Fyre burner system in both the 32 DVS and 34 DVL gas fireplace inserts. Popular Science magazine awarded the prestigious “Best of What’s New” award to the Ember-Fyre as one of the year’s top achievements in Science and Technology. The combustion system delivers and efficiency up to 82.2%. Unlike other gas burners, the pilot is hidden. There are no unsightly burner tuber or metal pans and the appearance of the fire and glowing embers are just as beautiful on the low flame setting as they are on high. The level of realism is so remarkable it is difficult to tell apart from our wood burning appliances.

The Most outstanding feature of these gas stoves and fireplaces is the realism and efficiency (86.5 %!) of the Ember Fyre burner. When natural gas (or propane) reaches the appliance, it is piped into a high quality European SIT gas valve. This valve has a variable turn down rate . The valve steps the pressure down and the lower pressure gas flows from the valve into the burner orifice. The orifice is a small opening specially designed and machined to allow a precise gas flow into the mixing tube. The fuel/air mixture is a one time adjustment using the air shutter control. This air control shutter allows the stove installer to compensate for variations in altitude, fuel type and line pressure.
Unique to the Ember Fyre burner, the combustion air is drawn from outside the house via the direct vent flue. This air is preheated and drawn into the lower portion of the sealed firebox. A portion of this air is drawn directly into the mixing tube. This gas/air mixture flows toward the lower burn chamber. The burn chamber is a hollow area formed between a metal pan and the Ember Fyre (patented) burner. From the sealed chamber the mixture flows through a unique set of precise burner ports. There are no visible burner tubes or steel grill components that you would normally see in a typical gas stove or fireplace.

As this mixture ignites and burns, the Ember Fyre burner heats to a deep red 1200* F, realistically mimicking the look of burning wood embers. The hard-carved ceramic logs have the appearance of partially burned wood and glow a deep red and orange. Dancing yellow flames further enhance the look and feel of a real wood fire.

You, your family and your guests will enjoy the warmth and glow of our gas inserts. taking the chill off a winter evening becomes more enjoyable with a glowing flame in your efficient insert.

We have extensive displays of both wood and gas inserts in our Gilroy showroom at 6205 Engle Way (408-842-6570) and our showroom in San Carlos at 1300 Industrial Road, #17 (650-593-1496. Come on in and get out of the cold!

For further directions or more information, visit our website at www.energy-house.com.

Bay Area residents can now make a clean air choice and save money on their gas insert purchases! The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is offering a $200.00 rebate when you purchase a gas stove or gas insert. In addition, the Energy House will add an additional $200.00 for each qualifying rebate for a gas insert or gas stove.  So you can receive a $400.00 savings as long as the program lasts. This is a great time to save some cash!

Switching from burning wood to using gas will reduce air pollution and improve air quality in your neighborhood. In order to get your reservation number, go to sparetheair.org and follow the instructions to get your rebate authorization.The Energy House has a wide selection of gas stoves and gas inserts to fit all pocketbooks. If you go to our website www.energy-house.com you can get more information regarding the products and get directions to our two showroom locations.

Spare the Air Program

The Winter Spare the Air season runs from November 1, 2008, through February 28, 2009. This winter, for the first time in the Bay Area, it will be illegal to burn wood, pellets, or manufactured fire logs when a Winter Spare the Air Alert is issued.

In the wintertime, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) becomes the pollutant with the greatest impact on air quality. Fine particulates can bypass the body’s natural defenses, penetrating deeply into the lungs and even passing into the bloodstream. Prolonged exposure to the fine particulates in wood smoke has been linked with aggravated asthma, lung and heart disease, and increased mortality rates. Wood burning in fireplaces and wood stoves creates about one-third of the winter particulate matter air pollution in the Bay Area.

When our morning forecast predicts unhealthy particulate matter concentrations, the Air District will issue a Winter Spare the Air Alert. Winter Spare the Air Alerts will be posted on our Spare the Air home page and on the Air District’s www.baaqmd.gov home page. It will also be recorded at 1-877-4NO-BURN. Residents and businesses can sign up for e-mail AirAlerts and automatic Phone Alerts as well, so they can “check before you burn.”

The Spare the Air Program was established by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to educate people about air pollution, and to encourage them to change their behavior to prevent it.

During the summer months ground-level ozone is the pollutant of concern.  Ozone is formed when pollutants combine on hot summer days, and it accumulates when there is little wind.

In order to protect public health, the Air District issues Spare the Air advisories on days when air quality is forecast to be unhealthy due to high ozone levels. People who are especially sensitive to pollution are advised to limit their time outdoors, particularly in the afternoon hours. These advisories are posted on our web site, recorded on our 1 (800) HELP AIR forecast phone line, announced in local newspapers, and broadcast on local TV and radio stations.

On Spare the Air Days, we ask Bay Area residents to reduce pollution by making clean air choices. These simple actions include driving less, taking public transportation, trip-linking, walking, biking, choosing non-gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment, and avoiding polluting household products.

On this site you will find answers to frequently asked questions about air pollution, descriptions of its health effects, information about how various communities and employers are working to prevent pollution, clean air tips, and a variety of other educational resources.

In addition, the air quality forecast allows you to keep track of air quality conditions in your region of the Bay Area.

New Artisan DVS & DVL Double Doors Now Available

Our new Artisan Double Doors for the DVS and DVL Inserts are now in stock. The doors are rectangular in shape and feature the same hand-hammered finish and wrought iron bars that have made our line of Artisan faces a stand-out favorite for many years. These doors are finished with charcoal paint. Mount a set of these doors on a small or a large backing plate to create a face that will cover most sizes of fireplace openings, eliminating the need for surround panels. The Artisan doors will create a spectacular focal point in a room. The DVL Artisan double doors also feature a matching accent across the top to give a more finished look.

DVL Insert, Double Door Architectural Faces

FPX believes design and style are every bit as important as efficiency and durability. Our new line of double door faces for our gas fireplace inserts eliminates the drab, black surround panels most people associate with a fireplace insert. The double doors, which open to reveal an unobstructed view of the fire, cover the fireplace opening. This new concept is available in two sizes (large or small), and covers the majority of fireplaces. We also offer two choices in shape (arch or rectangular), four choices in design (Basic, Artisan, Classic or Arts & Crafts) and four choices of colors (black, or accent the doors with bronze, antique nickel and antique copper onlays). The lively bright flames, luxuriant heat and comforting dependability (our gas inserts continue working when the power goes out) are a few more compelling reasons to convert your drafty, inefficient wood fireplace into a warm, inviting comfort zone.

We have extensive displays of both wood and gas inserts in our Gilroy showroom at 6205 Engle Way (408-842-6570) and our showroom in San Carlos at 1300 Industrial Road, #17 (650-593-1496. Come on in and get out of the cold!

For further directions or more information, visit our website at www.energy-house.com.

Fall is in the air and the phone begins to ring with calls from customers asking why their fireplace won’t turn on. The answer to this in a moment.

Modern gas fireplaces and inserts are typically worry free but there is some maintenance required. How much varies from unit to unit. – take a look at the manual left with your unit. Manual? Can’t recall where that particular document is? Most manufacturers have a website and offer you the ability to download the manual for your unit. Details on the specific tasks you’ll want to have done will be in the manual.

Back to why your unit won’t light. The truth is it could be any number of things but the most common reason we’ve found is spider or insect eggs in the valve orifice. Insects tend to like these areas and a fireplace left idle for several months is likely to have enough insect debris to cause the flame not to light.

Much of the annual maintenance can be performed by the homeowner. A few things you should be careful of:

- don’t move the logs. Log placement isn’t a random thing. The entire unit is designed for the logs to be in a specific orientation. If they are moved you may have sooting, flame impingement, or other issues.

- don’t cover burner holes. Even the small ones contribute to the overall performance of the fireplace.

- use a non-abrasive cleaner on the glass. Be sure to clean any reside from the glass before you use the unit.

The Energy House is available for service calls for fireplaces and inserts we installed. Unfortunately we are not able to perform service on units we did not install.

Until January 1, 2009 the Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District (MBUAPCD) has instituted a fabulous rebate program which enables you to dispose of your old, inefficient non-EPA approved wood stove or insert. You can now receive either $800 or $500 depending where you live. The program extends to Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties.

To find our more information, go to www.mbuapcd.org and, on the right hand side of the page, click on Fireplace & Woodstove. All the information and an application are located there.

This is a great savings program, especially in the current economic climate. In addition to this rebate, Energy House is giving a $250 Installation Rebate on Gas Inserts and $200 Installation Rebate on Wood Inserts for a limited time only.

So now is your opportunity to get ready to curl up in front of that cozy fire with your family and loved ones this winter. Don’t get left out in the cold, call now for an appointment at our Gilroy Showroom or to have one of our factory-trained consultants visit you at home. Our Showroom is located at 6205 Engle Way in Gilroy. Phone is 408-842-6570. We are open Monday thru Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM and on Saturday from 10AM to 3 PM.

Visit our website at www.energy-house.com for more information on our products and get directions to the Showroom. We are looking forward to meeting you and to help with saving money and the environment.