Ryan Lineham

With skyrocketing oil prices, the cost of heating homes is jumping off the charts. The Department of Energy expects heating bills to be 27 percent higher this winter for people who heat with oil and 41 percent higher for those who heat with natural gas. In cold-winter climates, this number will be closer to 30 percent. What can you do?

Some homeowners are turning to pellet stoves to provide supplemental (or in some cases, primary) heat. Pellet stoves look similar to wood stoves or fireplace inserts, but the similarities end there. Instead of burning wood, they burn small pellets made typically of recycled wood shavings, sawdust, or corn. Inside, they are very sophisticated combustion appliances that offer very low-cost heating. For more about this, see Advantages of Burning Pellets and Pellet Stove Energy Cost Comparisons.

Most pellet stoves produce a small fire that, concentrated in the center of the unit, burns hot. If you like the look of a fire, it's important to find a unit with a good flame pattern and large viewing glass. Here at Fireplace Products LLC. we have multiple pellet stoves available including the Harman Pellet Stoves, Ecotech, and Napoleon pellet stoves. Visit out website for more information on these units. www.FireplaceProductsllc.com

Under the 2009 Economic Stimulus legislation, U.S. homeowners who purchase a 75-percent efficient biomass (wood or pellet) burning stove, fireplace or fireplace insert and place it into service in their home during 2009 or 2010 can receive a 30-percent tax credit for costs incurred, up to $1,500.

After purchase, the homeowner can obtain an Official Manufacturer's Certificate from us at Fireplace Products LLC. It certifies that the product qualifies for the tax credit, and the homeowner can rely on the certificate when preparing his or her tax return. Homeowners are not required to submit the certificate or a product sales receipt to the government, but should retain them for their records.

The benefits of heating with biomass

There are multiple benefits to installing a wood or pellet burning appliance to produce heat in your home. Financial benefits are derived for years to come with reduced heating costs. And prices for wood and pellets are predictable when compared to propane, oil and natural gas, which can fluctuate greatly. "There are significant environmental benefits derived from heating your home with biomass," said Dan Henry, chief technical officer for Hearth & Home Technologies. "Burning wood and pellets is considered carbon-neutral since only the carbon the tree or plant absorbed when growing is released into the air, contributing to less greenhouse gases."

Fireplace Products LLC is the leading fireplace installer in Southern New England. In this capacity, we stock an extensive warehouse of gas, wood, and pellet fireplaces and stoves, as well as inserts, mantels, and fireplace surrounds. Take a look at the product lines we carry by browsing our web site at www.FireplaceProductsLLC.com Over the past 15 years, we have installed over 10,000 fireplaces for our customers. Call us today to see what we can do for your next project.

Sincerely,

Ryan Lineham

FIREPLACE PRODUCTS LLC.

245 Quaker Lane, Warwick RI 02893