Lifestyles April 2024

LIFESTYLES

Myths And Facts About Your Fireplace

Myth 1) We can’t have a new woodburning replace anymore because the EPA says so!

e Facts Are: Today’s high-e ciency wood replaces, stove and inserts are allowed in all local counties and jurisdictions because they burn remarkably clean in comparison to models from a generation ago. ese new replaces, stoves, and inserts burn so clean that you can even burn in Denver on a ‘Red Day’ and still be in compliance with all existing codes and standards. An extra bene t is that those models which have been independently tested to have a 75% or greater e ciency

FEATURE OF THE MONTH

rating, qualify for a 30% Federal Biomass Tax Credit of up to $2000 back!

Myth 2) - Gas replaces, stoves and inserts don’t work when the power is out.

Wrong again! e Facts Are: Although most modern direct-vent units use standard household current to operate the controls, they are also equipped with a simple

battery-backup system that allows for full function of the gas ow to the burner – your home can stay warm even if the power goes out. Usually, all it takes is some AA batteries. Not only can the pilot and main burner systems continue to function during a power failure, the most common types of remote-controlled thermostats will keep working, too.

Myth 3) - I don’t need to get my gas replace serviced. It doesn’t make any soot or ash.

We really get into our work here! is new woodstove heats their whole home, quali es for the tax credit, and most importantly- keeps the dogs warm!

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e Facts Are: Gas replaces, stoves, and inserts still do need an annual service to clean the glass, logs, and internal components. Even though gas appliances visibly burn cleaner than wood, there are still byproducts from combustion of Natural Gas and Propane to be cleaned o the internal workings of the appliance. Our Chimney Safety Institute of America and National Fireplace Institute Certi ed Technicians will complete this cleaning; and we go above and beyond by also refreshing the burner media and performing a leak test. Your replace will be ready to use for the next year!

Myth 4) - I don’t need to clean my chimney, it was a warm winter and I hardly used it …

e Facts Are: During warm winters, people generally burn lower-temperature res. Unfortunately, this causes poor combustion and create more creosote build-up than they expect. Statistically, there are more chimney res a er a warm winter than a er cold winter. Additionally, if a chimney sweeping is skipped a er a warm winter, the creosote inside the chimney causes degradation of the ue system. Creosote is very acidic and corrodes the mortar joints in a masonry chimney and the metal in a stainless pipe. Skipping a sweeping is

Home is Where the Hearth Is

Enjoy every season in your home, gathered aound your new favorite re feature. Make memories with your family and friends in the cozy glow of ickering ames. Whether you want to burn wood or gas, your replace should be the centerpiece of your home. Call us today to talk about the replace of your dreams, including service and annual maintenance!

303-679-1601

www.mtnhp.como

ce@mtnhp.com

7001 Highway 73, Evergreen

Please

e pets are always our most satis ed customers

Ahh, Springtime!

e snow is melting, the trees are budding, the owers are blooming, and your chimney is leaking. If you notice any suspicious water stains, or hear dripping and can’t nd the source, protect your home and your investment, call us! Our technicians are certi ed by the Chimney Safety Institute of America and the National Fireplace Institute. ey have the experience and expertise to take on your leaky chimney problems and any other replace or chimney needs you have. We will perform a thorough Leaky Chimney Inspection to determine where the water is coming in, and how to stop it.

Take a look at your chimney. Do you see a chimney cap? at’s your rst line of defense against a leaky chimney, and if you don’t see one, call us right away! e structure around your ue may be watertight but if you’re missing your cap or you have a damaged or

improperly sized cap, it allows water straight into the home. Water intrusion from a missing cap can lead to problems that a ect not just your replace and chimney system but other parts of your home as well.

You should also see a galvanized steel chase cover, or concrete chimney crown at the top of your chimney system; depending on how your chimney is constructed. ese are also common weak points for water intrusion. Regardless of material, your chimney will degrade with time, UV rays from sunlight, hail damage, and the repeated freezing and thawing of a Colorado spring.

If you have a framed wooden box, called a “chase”, enclosing your venting system, you should have a proper chase cover, chimney cap, and storm collar. Over time, dents form and the chase cover sags on top, collecting water and rusting through. A new chase cover is

sloped from the center with drip edges designed to shed water away from the sides of the chase. If water runs down the sides of your chase, it can enter through gaps in the sides and where its ashed to the roo ine.

When you look up at your chimney and see intricate stonework, that sight may be accompanied by the thought that it will last forever, but that is simply not true. Masonry chimneys are susceptible to degradation just like any other material. is degradation happens faster than most people expect with the unpredictable winter and spring weather in Colorado. e freeze/thaw cycle is most destructive, that is why it’s so important to keep water owing o and away from your chimney.

Do you see a concrete slap at the top of your stone chimney? Is it 4-5” thick with a 2” overhang to direct water away? If not, you likely have water getting into

your home. We can pour a new crown for your chimney or apply Crown Coat to seal any cracks you may have in your chimney crown. We also have industry speci c materials and techniques, such as special ashing for sealing the uneven edge where rock chimneys meet the roo ine. Put our 25 years of chimney experience in the foothills to work for you!

If the one thing about spring that you are not enjoying is a mysterious water leak in your ceiling, we can help! We can also take on your other replace and chimney needs from sales and installation to annual service and repairs. Give Mountain Man Fireplace & Chimney a call today at (303) 679-1601. You can also reach us at O ce@MtnHP.com, or visit our website: www.MtnManChimney. com. You’re invited to visit our showroom at 7001 Highway 73 in Evergreen.

RICH BARBELL FITNESS TRAINS ATHLETES TO IMPROVE THEIR STRENGTH, POWER, AND SPEED

By Jo Ann M. Colton Special to Lifestyles

Are you a middle school, high school, college, or weekend warrior athlete motivated to improve your game and sports performance? Regardless of the sports in which you compete, Rich Barbell Fitness can help you increase your strength, power, and speed to help you go the distance to score that winning point!

For more than 29 years, Rich Bell of Rich Barbell Fitness & Sports Conditioning located at 30746 Bryant Drive/Unit 403, Evergreen has trained over 400 multi-level athletes in various sports backgrounds. His strength/conditioning training programs continually incorporate new training techniques and methods determined by each person’s personalized assessment to ensure his clients’ fast results, better performance, increased stamina, and improved physical appearance.

said Rich Bell.

During the rst consultation with the young boys/girls and their parents, Rich learns of their previous athletic experience, novice (zero-to-one year) or intermediate (over one year). en he uses Strength Ratio Testing involving the Barbell Bench Press and Barbell Back Squat to test their upper/lower body strength, power, performance, and speed. Based upon results, he customizes his clients’ programs including training, supplements, nutrition options, and a workout schedule (i.e., a minimum of two days a week with Bell and one day in the gym on your own).

‘My goal has always been to improve the way athletes approach their strength/ conditioning goals by applying scientificallyproven techniques to enhance human performance on the playing field,’

Rich Bell Owner

Bell’s regime (jumping, hopping, skipping, li ing weights) also includes having a good time during the workouts. However, Rich Bell will tell you what it is, not what you want to hear. Consequently, his sessions (a minimum of 12-weeks) require drive and perseverance—and the rst 6-8 weeks are the hardest!

“My goal has always been to improve the way athletes approach their strength/ conditioning goals by applying scienti cally-proven techniques to enhance human performance on the playing eld,”

For training information, fees, more about Rich Bell, testimonials, and/or to set up your consultation, contact Rich Barbell Fitness

(http://richbarbell tness.com.

Maximizing strength for athletes from junior high through college to achieve peak off-season conditioning.

Individualized and goalbased regiments designed to reach peak levels in strength, power and endurance customized to each athlete and sport.

Promote Happiness With This Mother’s Day Gift Guide

(StatePoint) Sometimes, it’s the little things in life that can make one’s day. Use this Mother’s Day gi guide to promote happiness in your mom’s life:

Better Mornings

Co ee and tea have been scienti cally proven to boost happiness. But if your mom is like many moms out there, she may get so busy taking care of others she forgets to drink her beverage before it gets cold. What if she could enjoy her co ee or tea from the rst sip to the last at just the right temperature? Nextmug, a temperature-controlled, self-heating mug, stylishly maintains an individual’s beverage at their ideal temperature

-- 130, 140 or 150 degrees Fahrenheit -- for hours. e stainless-steel body of the mug has an elegant ceramic matte nish in a range of gorgeous colors like burgundy, dusty rose and pistachio. At 17 ounces, the ergonomically designed body and handle will t comfortably in her hands, making it a happiness-inducing sidekick for her days, whether they take place at home or in the workplace. And with no setting up an app, no passwords or rebooting and no security concerns it’s incredibly easy to use. To learn more, visit nextmug.com.

Endorphin Boost

Did you know that exercise is one

of the best ways to promote happiness? Not only can it be a major con dence booster, it releases endorphins that o er a post-workout bliss. However, many people new to exercise don’t know how to start working out or have questions about doing so safely. If your mom is one of those people, consider gi ing her a session with a personal trainer. In one session, the trainer can assess your mom’s current level of tness and o er her a sensible routine to do on her own. Or, if your mom is social or loves variety, consider getting her a tness membership to a service like ClassPass. is will allow her to take various types of tness classes so she can see what style

of workout she likes best.

Happy Faces on Rotation

Sometimes all one needs to smile is a reminder of a happy memory. Upgrade your mom’s photo display game with a digital frame so she can be treated to a slideshow of loved ones anytime she wants. With a model that connects to Wi-Fi, she can easily send photos to the frame through email or via online photo collections. As a thoughtful gesture, consider pre-loading it with some of her favorite family photos. is Mother’s Day, honor your mom with thoughtful and fun gi s that will promote her happiness.

FIREPLACE MYTHS

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a one-two punch for not maintaining your woodburning system. is can be prevented with a full Sweeping and Level I Inspection from our Chimney Safety Institute of America Certi ed Technicians, who will clean the entire system from the rebox, damper, full length of ue, and clean the cap; all while inspecting for potential problems.

Myth 5) - I don’t have a replace there now, so I can’t have a new one! Whether you have a dra y addition or chilly sitting room, or want a strong source of heat in your lower level, or just the ambiance of a replace in your gathering space – e Facts Are: a hearth appliance can be added anywhere! e best way to get this done is to contact your local specialty hearth retailer (us!) and we can provide you with a plan and package to achieve your replace heating goals. We will ensure that your budget, design style, and timeline are all met and you have the nished replace of

your dreams. On top of that, you will know that your new hearth appliance is safe because it was installed by National Fireplace Institute Certi ed professionals, and by a fully insured company. Lastly, we are here for the life of your appliance and can provide you with the annual service that you now know is so important! We will do it all and provide you with the complete package: sales, installation, service, and warranty.

Myth 6) - You’ll get more heat out of your stove or insert if you burn the wood slower.

e Facts Are: Just the opposite is true. ‘Banking’ the re to achieve a longer burn time dramatically reduces the amount of heat being produced.

E cient burning of cordwood in modern EPA-2020 Certi ed replaces, stoves and inserts requires relatively high rebox temperatures. e high temperatures and catalytic or non-catalytic combustion chambers create a re-burning e ect that draws energy out of the smoke/exhaust instead of allowing it to create more creosote. If you restrict the air ow into the rebox, your e ciency can go as low

as 15-20% instead of staying around 70% for normal burning. Put another way, a 20-lb load of wood can either produce approximately 120,000 BTUs (high e cient burning) it can produce 36,000 BTUs (slow burning) – the choice is yours!

Myth 7) - e cost of installing a new stove or insert outweighs the bene ts.

e Facts Are: e installation of a new hearth appliance can substantially reduce your energy costs and also create a more enjoyable living environment in your home. What used to be a seldom-used “cold” part of your home, is now warm and inviting. Utilizing the Zone-Heating concept can cut the amount of heat your home requires by hundreds of dollars per year. Not only will you save money, but you’ll be warmer in the rooms where you actually live.

Myth 8) - Water can’t be leaking into my home because my chimney is made of stone.

e Facts Are: Most stonework starts to leak within 12-15 years of being constructed. Small cracks grow in size as moisture is absorbed into the mortar.

e cracks grow over the years as the moisture freezes and thaws during the spring and fall as the temperatures uctuate from day to night. As the cracks grow, even more water gets in and speeds up the process. A er enough time, and freeze-thaw cycles, the mortar may fall out in chunks, and even more water gets in. As the water runs along the ra ers and framing of the home, the location of the leak may be a signi cant distance from the source, but your chimney should always be a suspect when leaks are evident. Don’t call a roofer for a suspicious leak! Call us- your local, certi ed, chimney professionals!

If you are looking to upgrade the look and e ciency of your replace, visit our Showroom and service center in Marshdale at 7001 Highway 73, or online at www.mtnhp.com . If you’re experiencing performance problems with your replace, stove or insert, or just want to have a trained professional complete an Operational Assessment or one of three levels of Inspection, call us today at 303679-1601 or email o ce@MtnHP.com

Our NFI Certi ed techs installed a high-e ciency gas replace insert into this outdated and ine cient woodburning replace

A replace replacement project that looks original to the home, but with way more heating power