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Fireplace Installation in Greece, NY: Big Ash Fireplace & Stoves

Greece homeowners who are ready to add a fireplace or replace an outdated hearth appliance have a certified local team within easy reach. Big Ash Fireplace & Stoves is based in Holley on Fancher Road, a straightforward drive west on Route 31, and we have been serving Monroe County homeowners for nearly three decades. Greece is one of the largest towns in New York State, and the mix of housing stock here, from mid-century ranches to newer construction neighborhoods, gives us a wide range of projects we work on regularly. Whether you are starting from scratch in a room that has never had a fireplace or upgrading a drafty open-hearth unit that has been underperforming for years, our certified team handles the full project from product selection through final inspection.

What Is the Difference Between a Freestanding Stove and a Fireplace Insert?

This question comes up often and it is a genuinely important distinction because these two products solve different problems and suit different home situations. Both are capable heating appliances and both are available in wood, gas, and pellet fuel types, but they are not interchangeable.

Freestanding Stoves

A freestanding stove is an appliance that stands independently on a hearth pad or floor protection and connects to a stovepipe that routes to a chimney or factory-built flue system. Key things to know:

  • They can be placed in virtually any room where a proper venting pathway can be established, including rooms with no existing fireplace
  • They require specific clearances to combustible walls and surfaces on all sides, which means the placement needs to be planned carefully in relation to your room layout
  • They tend to radiate heat in multiple directions because the sides and back of the unit are exposed, which can be an advantage in an open space
  • A factory-built Class A chimney system can be installed to serve a freestanding stove in a room that has no existing chimney, making them very flexible in terms of placement

Fireplace Inserts

A fireplace insert is a self-contained unit designed to fit directly into the opening of an existing masonry or factory-built fireplace. Key things to know:

  • They require an existing fireplace to install into, which limits placement but makes them ideal for homeowners who already have a firebox they are not getting full use from
  • Because they fit within the existing opening, they require far less room modification than adding a freestanding stove to a new location
  • Most insert installations include a stainless steel liner run through the existing flue to properly vent the new appliance
  • They transform an open-hearth fireplace that loses more heat than it generates into a genuinely functional heating appliance

The simplest way to think about it is this: if you have an existing fireplace that you want to make more functional, an insert is almost always the right conversation to start with. If you want to add heat to a room that has no existing hearth, a freestanding stove with a new venting system is the path forward. During your consultation at Big Ash, we look at your home and your goals and help you determine which direction makes the most sense.

 

Greece, NY: A Thriving Rochester Suburb With a Character All Its Own

Greece is one of the most populous towns in New York State outside of New York City, and its scale reflects decades of residential growth along the Lake Ontario shoreline west of Rochester. What makes Greece interesting is how much variety exists within one town. The lakefront areas along Long Pond Road and the Lake Ontario State Parkway have a quieter, almost cottage-country feel, while the interior neighborhoods closer to Ridge Road represent some of the most established suburban residential streets in Monroe County.

Greece Canal Park is one of the genuine outdoor highlights of the town, offering walking trails, picnic areas, and direct access to the Erie Canal corridor. It is a well-used community asset that reflects the quality-of-life investment Greece has made in its parks system. Braddock Bay, which straddles the Greece and Spencerport boundary, is a destination for birders, anglers, and kayakers and is recognized as one of the more significant raptor migration points on the eastern seaboard.

The town has a strong commercial presence along the Ridge Road corridor, including the Marketplace at Greece Ridge, and longtime local businesses throughout the community. Schaller’s Drive-In on Dewey Avenue has been a Rochester-area institution for generations, and the various neighborhoods throughout Greece support a network of locally rooted shops and restaurants that give the town its commercial identity. Greece also has a strong sense of civic investment, reflected in its parks, recreation programs, and the multiple high schools that anchor different parts of the community.

Big Ash serves Greece homeowners regularly, and the variety of housing here means we bring genuine experience with everything from original brick fireplaces in 1960s ranch homes to newer gas fireplace installations in recently built neighborhoods. We understand the housing stock in this community and we are ready to help you find the right solution for your specific home.

Does a Fireplace Add Value to My Home?

This is a question worth examining honestly because the answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. The short version is that a well-chosen and properly installed fireplace appliance can contribute positively to your home’s value and appeal, but the degree of impact depends on several factors.

What the Research Tends to Show

Real estate studies over the years have consistently found that fireplaces rank among the more desirable features homebuyers look for, particularly in colder climate markets like Western New York. A report from the National Association of Realtors found that fireplaces are among the top features buyers want, and homes with fireplaces tend to sell faster and at stronger prices in markets where heating season is a meaningful part of the year.

Factors That Influence the Value Impact

  • Type and quality of the appliance: A high-quality gas insert or a well-crafted wood-burning stove installed by certified professionals adds more appeal than an aging decorative unit that shows signs of deferred maintenance
  • Condition and documentation: A fireplace that comes with records of professional installation, permits, and regular inspections is considerably more appealing to a buyer than one with an unclear history
  • Location in the home: A fireplace in the main living area carries the most weight. Secondary installations in bedrooms or finished basements add appeal but typically have less impact on overall value
  • Curb appeal and presentation: A well-finished surround, a quality hearth pad, and a clean, well-maintained appliance present far better during a showing than a neglected or dated setup

The Practical Value Beyond Resale

It is worth noting that the value of a fireplace is not purely financial. The ability to zone-heat your living space, the reduced load on your central heating system during shoulder seasons, and the comfort and atmosphere a well-placed hearth provides are real benefits that improve daily life in your home regardless of what happens at resale.

At Big Ash, we install permitted, code-compliant appliances with full documentation. That paper trail matters when it comes time to sell, and it reflects the standard of care we bring to every project.

What Type of Wood Should I Be Burning in My Fireplace or Stove?

If you have a wood-burning fireplace or stove, the quality and type of wood you burn has a direct impact on your heat output, the amount of creosote that builds up in your chimney, and the overall experience of burning. This is one of those areas where the right habits from the start make a meaningful difference over time.

The Most Important Factor: Moisture Content

The single biggest variable in wood quality is moisture content. Freshly cut wood contains a large amount of water, and burning green or wet wood creates several problems:

  • It produces significantly less heat because energy is wasted driving off moisture rather than generating heat
  • It generates far more smoke and combustion byproducts
  • It accelerates creosote buildup in your flue, which increases the frequency of required chimney cleaning and the risk of a chimney fire over time

Properly seasoned firewood has been split and stacked with good airflow for at least one full year, and ideally two. Kiln-dried firewood is an even better option when it is available, as the moisture content is reduced reliably rather than depending on ambient drying conditions.

Hardwood vs. Softwood

Hardwoods are the right choice for a home fireplace or stove. The best burning hardwoods in the Northeast include:

  • Oak: Dense, long-burning, and produces excellent heat output. It takes longer to season than some other species so make sure it is fully dry before burning
  • Maple: Another excellent choice with good heat output and a clean burn
  • Ash: Burns well even at slightly higher moisture content than some other hardwoods, which is part of why it has historically been valued as firewood
  • Cherry and Birch: Both burn well and produce a pleasant fire, though they tend to burn somewhat faster than oak or maple

Softwoods like pine can be used for starting a fire because they ignite more easily, but they should not be the primary fuel source. They burn quickly, produce more smoke, and leave higher creosote deposits than hardwoods.

Practical Tips

  • Store firewood off the ground and covered on top but open on the sides to allow airflow
  • Keep a small supply near the stove for convenience but store the bulk of your wood outside
  • Never burn treated lumber, painted wood, plywood, cardboard, or garbage in your fireplace or stove. These materials produce harmful combustion byproducts and can damage your appliance and liner

What Should I Do If My Gas Fireplace Stops Working?

Gas fireplaces are generally low-maintenance appliances, but like any mechanical system they occasionally need attention. When your gas fireplace stops working or is not performing the way it should, a systematic approach to troubleshooting helps you understand whether this is something you can address yourself or whether it is time to call a certified technician.

Start With the Basics

Before assuming something is seriously wrong, check the following:

  • Is the gas supply valve behind or near the fireplace in the open position? These valves occasionally get bumped closed
  • Is the main gas supply to the home on and functioning? Check another gas appliance to confirm
  • If your fireplace uses a wall switch or remote, check the batteries in the remote and the connections at the wall switch. A surprising number of service calls trace back to a dead battery
  • Check your home’s electrical panel if the fireplace has a blower or electronic ignition. A tripped breaker can take out the electronic components without affecting everything else

Pilot Light Issues

Many gas fireplaces use a standing pilot that remains lit continuously during the heating season. If the pilot goes out:

  • Follow the manufacturer’s relighting instructions, which are typically printed on a label inside the access panel
  • If the pilot lights but goes out shortly after you release the button, the thermocouple or thermopile may be faulty. These are components that sense the pilot flame and signal the gas valve to stay open, and they wear out over time
  • If the pilot will not light at all, there may be a problem with the gas supply to the pilot assembly or with the igniter itself

When to Call a Certified Technician

  • Any time you smell gas near the fireplace, do not attempt to light it. Leave the area, avoid operating any switches or electronics, and contact your gas utility and a certified technician
  • If the pilot lights but the main burner will not come on, the gas valve or control module may need attention
  • If the flame pattern looks unusual, excessively yellow or orange rather than predominantly blue, or if you notice soot accumulation on the glass, the burner or air shutter may need adjustment
  • Any issue involving the venting system, the gas line connections, or the firebox integrity should be handled by a certified professional rather than attempted as a DIY repair

Big Ash provides gas fireplace service and repair alongside our installation work. If your Greece home has a gas fireplace that is not performing correctly, give us a call and we will get a certified technician to take a look.

Reach Out to Big Ash Fireplace & Stoves for Your Greece Home

Greece homeowners are welcome at our Holley showroom at 3570 Fancher Road, just a straightforward drive west on Route 31. Big Ash Fireplace & Stoves brings nearly thirty years of Monroe County experience, NFI Master Hearth Professional credentials held by Jason Toomey, and Certified Chimney Professional and Certified Chimney Reliner certifications to every project we take on. Our showroom features working appliances from Lopi, FPX, Osburn, MF Fire, Breckwell, and Modern Flames so you can see and compare your options before making any decisions. Call us, stop by in person, or reach out online to schedule your consultation. We look forward to helping you find the right fireplace for your Greece home.