Wood-burning insert vs pellet insert — which should I put in my fireplace?
In Mars Hill, it splits by household. University-area rentals want the easy, thermostat-style heat of a pellet insert where power is dependable, while rural Spring Creek and Gabriels Creek homes already heating on propane or wood are natural candidates for a wood insert — grid-independent and fueled off their own land in one of the colder pockets we serve.
Two very different Mars Hill homes
A student rental near the university and a farmhouse up Gabriels Creek want different things. For the rental, a pellet insert's fill-and-set convenience is easy for tenants — as long as the power's reliable and someone keeps the hopper stocked. For the rural valley home, where wood heat is already the habit and propane fills the gaps, a wood insert fits the routine, needs no electricity, and holds an overnight burn through cold nights.
Propane, wood, and a cold valley
Much of rural Mars Hill runs on propane rather than a gas main, and this is one of the chillier spots on our map, so heat output and independence carry weight. A modern EPA wood insert runs 70% efficient or better and keeps working when lines go down; a pellet insert trades that resilience for tidiness. Either gets a sized stainless liner, and we permit the work with the county and meet the inspector. Call (828) 545-0525.
Fireplace help in Mars Hill
We install and service fireplaces throughout Mars Hill and the rest of Madison County — just 30 minutes north from our Asheville-area showroom.