Resources Archives - Maxwell Fireplace - Quality Gas Fireplaces Vancouver

Metro-Vancouver’s Residential Wood-burning Bylaw 1303

8 February 2023/in Resources/by Maxwell Fireplace

In 2020 Metro Vancouver introduced a graduated five-year plan to reduce emissions from residential indoor wood burning. To learn more about what’s considered residential indoor wood burning, by-law requirements, best burning practices and other important information, visit here.

FortisBC maintains its residential rebate program for gas fireplace

2 January 2023/in Resources/by Maxwell Fireplace

Whether a single-family home, condo, or townhouse, FortisBC offers a $300 rebate for new gas fireplaces. To see if you qualify, click here.

Online Application for Fortis BC Natural gas fireplace rebate

2 May 2021/in Resources/by Maxwell Fireplace

9 months ago, Fortis BC introduced an online application for all Natural Gas Rebates. If you’re buying a new natural gas fireplace for your home, townhouse or condominium, upgrade to an eligible EnerChoice^® model and you could get a $300 Natural gas fireplace rebate.

In the 9 months since the online system was launched, 70% of applications are now being made online

However, Fortis BC have noticed that that outdated application forms are occasionally being submitted. To prevent misunderstandings or lost applications, We want to ensure our Maxwell Fireplace customers are not using outdated rebate application forms, which may have:

the old Fortis BC mailing address, which will not be serviced after June 30, 2021
incorrect rebate amounts
outdated terms and conditions – The current terms and conditions can be viewed here.

We advise our customers to apply for Fortis BC Rebates using the Apply online service. Applying for rebates online allows for customers to track their application and for Fortis BC to process rebates faster.

What is the difference between radiant heat, conduction and convection?

6 January 2021/in Resources/by Maxwell Fireplace

Modern thermal comfort in winter is provided by heating the entire volume of air in a room or building. In earlier times, our ancestor’s heating methods were more localized: heating people, not places and things.

They used radiant heat sources such as a fire, that warmed only certain parts of a room, creating microclimates of comfort. These people countered the large temperature differences with insulating furniture, such as hooded chairs and folding screens and sat close to the fire.

So what is Radiant heat and what other types of heat are there?

The are 3 types of heat source

Radiant Heat – This is the transfer of heat via electromagnetic radiation and the infrared waves that are emitted are absorbed by people and furniture as opposed to heating the air in the room. Fireplaces of all types (Wood, Gas) emit radiant heat – we feel the warmth on our skin in the same way as we feel warmth from the sun.
Conduction – This is the transfer of heat due to physical contact between 2 objects. Thermal energy (heat) will flow from the warmer to the cooler object. The speed of transfer depends on the material – metal transfers heat quickly whereas wood will be slower. Conduction all occurs between physical objects and air, but this effect is limited due to the high thermal resistance of air. Zero clearance fireplaces such as those using Valor HeatShift Technology will transfer conductive heat away from the fireplace and upwards through hidden ducts to direct it back into the room. This allows them to be installed close to combustible materials and not need a traditional fireplace hearth
Convection is the most common form of space heating. Convection occurs when the air in the room is heated, it becomes less dense and rises away from the heat source. As it moves further away, it cools, becomes heavier and falls back to the ground. This creates a convection current. Convection stoves heat and circulate warm air around a room by air being drawn in and using fans to assist the distribution of heat around the room

EnerChoice Fireplaces – Helping customers make the best choices

10 December 2020/in Resources/by Noel

The EnerChoice trademark was developed to assist consumers in identifying which fireplaces are most suitable for supplemental heating solutions.

Every fireplace shipped in Canada is tested for efficiency and will have an EnerGuide rating which is also known as Fireplace Efficiency (FE). The EnerChoice designation is only granted to models that meet the defined efficiency thresholds.

This trademark was developed to assist consumers in identifying which fireplaces are most suitable for supplemental heating solutions. It has its origins in British Columbia (BC), Canada. This designation and labelling was developed to identify to consumers which fireplaces are most suitable for supplemental heating solutions. These thresholds were established as part of a consultation process with Industry, Gas Utilities, Regulators and other stakeholders.

An EnerChoice designation is granted to models that meet the efficiency thresholds that indicate the most efficient models in the market.

ENERCHOICE THRESHOLDS

Vented Gas Fireplace Inserts – 61%
Vented Freestanding Gas Stoves – 66%
Zero Clearance Vented Gas Fireplace – 62.4%

If intended for use as a heating appliance, an EnerChoice rated model can save money and energy. The actual savings depends on many factors such as local climate, the cost of fuel, the efficiency of the appliance and the efficiency of the dwelling itself.

Only the efficiency calculated by the CSA P.4.1 test is considered when determining eligibility to bear the registered EnerChoice trademark. When looking at fireplace efficiency, make sure you are looking at the FE generated by the CSA P.4.1 test

Maxwell Fireplace stocks a wide range of EnerChoice Fireplaces. These vendors have shown a commitment to the EnerGuide program that allow these initiatives to continue and grow.

When a gas fireplace, stove or insert is endorsed by EnerChoice logo this approval is your assurance that these units are “among the most efficient of gas hearth products available in that category”