Housing Giants - November 24, 2008 - (Page 17)

2007 survey asked participants about the importance of energy efficiency and found that 46 percent of all buyers listed an energy-efficient home as “very important” to them, and a whopping 92 percent said an energy-efficient home was at least “somewhat important” to them. These numbers reflect the current trend of consumers increasingly looking for ways to reduce their utility bills. Adam Martin, CFO of Martin Sales and Service, a fireplace company in Pittsburgh, Pa., has seen this trend in action. “We’ve seen about a 20 percent increase in our fireplace sales, especially over the past year. Today’s customers are driven by the need to save on rising fuel costs, to find a more energy-efficient way of heating their home. In the past, their No. 1 reason for purchasing a fireplace was for the pleasing aesthetics, but now our customers are looking to reduce their energy bills. Aesthetics have fallen to the No. 2 spot.” Of the different types of fireplaces available on the market, direct-vent gas fireplaces are the most energy efficient, and indeed, these fireplaces have been the most popular at Martin Sales and Service for new home construction. While consumers may see energy efficiency as important, they may not To learn more about the best practices surrounding fireplace installations, visit BuildIQ’s Toolbelt, a Web site designed to teach home builders about the industry’s top warranty issues and their solutions. Learn more know exactly how a fireplace helps. At Martin Sales and Service, they discuss zone heating and its role in energy efficiency with their customers. Says Martin: “We explain to customers that zone heating with a fireplace allows them to keep the living areas warmer, while the rest of the home stays cooler. As a result, the amount of energy the whole home uses is decreased.” In addition to zone heating, here are a few other ways to increase energy efficiency: n Choose sealed combustion, directvent gas fireplaces. These fireplaces eliminate air loss up the chimney and offer flexible installation options with horizontal venting. n Install high-efficiency gas fireplaces. The higher the AFUE rating, the more efficient the fireplace. n Opt for fireplaces with an electronic ignition. Fireplaces with a standing pilot light waste gas when the fireplace isn’t in use. www.Housinggiants.com 11.24.08.Housing giants 17 http://toolbelt.buildiq.com/topics/hvac/fireplaces.aspx http://www.martinsalesandservice.com http://www.martinsalesandservice.com http://www.housinggiants.com

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