Swim-Mor Pools & Spas partner and general manager Mike McCool recognizes that there is a lot more that goes into a new pool than there used to be.
“The backyard has transformed over the last 10 years or so away from being just ‘your yard’ and into another room of your home with the same care and detail put into it,” McCool says. “Because of this the design of your pool has become more than just a pool but the focus of the outdoor living room. There is a lot of coordination with creating what a customer’s backyard haven is going to be.”
Fortunately, the family-owned South Jersey business is more than up to the challenge of bringing a customer’s backyard pool vision to life. In its 55 years of business, Swim-Mor Pools & Spas has helped to create thousands of backyard paradises throughout the region.
And what’s more, they make the process as easy as possible for their customers.
“We’re a start-to-finish gunite custom pool company—the design, the build and the service afterward,” McCool says. “We have our own crews that handle the work which helps us control quality and makes the process go smoother.”
There are six designers at Swim-Mor Pools & Spas who can help guide customers on a new pool design. The company’s countless photos and 3D drawings can provide inspiration, and the final design is what best suits the backyard, according to McCool.
“Size, setbacks, elevations. We’re here to help you work through that,” he says.
Finding the right pool
“The first step is to give us a call. From there we’ll set up an appointment to come out to your home,” McCool says. “That way we can see all the aspects of the property. What the contours of the yard are. What the access is like. Even the best location based on where the sun rises and sets.”
The timeline to get started is largely based on the homeowner and how decisive they are, McCool adds. Once everything is confirmed, things move to contract and Swim-Mor Pools & Spas starts working on permits.
“Time is of the essence. Permits can take from two weeks to several months, all depending on the municipality,” McCool says.
Pool popularity
Prior to March 2020, business was strong for Swim-Mor Pools & Spa. That was only boosted when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the region.
“The pool business was never busier than it was in COVID,” McCool says. “The lockdowns forced people to stay at home and they immediately focused on the backyard.”
Although that business boom has settled down a bit, things are still busy. But pool trends, according to McCool, have held fairly steady.
Hampton-style pools have long been a customer favorite, but equally popular are the freeform designs, which can be customized to fit into any backyard environment.
“Through COVID there have not been many
Natural stone is popular for the coping along the pool’s edge, McCool says, as well as darker finishes in the pool. A majority of Swim-Mor Pools & Spa customers are using a salt sanitation system and automated controls in their new pools, as well as choosing to add water features—waterfalls, fountains, deck jets and plenty more. The company also offers many in- pool fixtures for lounging—bar stools and benches that can tie into your outdoor kitchen or can run inside the pool, along with table areas, sundecks for your lounge chairs and custom fire features. Color LED lighting packages come every pool, too.
The majority of customers also choose elements to lengthen their pool-enjoying season, as heaters and spas. “It will extend your pool season by a few months,” McCool says.
Why Swim-Mor Pools & Spas?
Being a local family-owned independent business makes Swim-Mor Pools & Spas a smart choice for customers, according to McCool.
“We’re not national. We’re not a franchise. And we do not try to sell everything. Our expertise has been building custom gunite pools for 55 years and that’s what we focus on,” he says.
Save for a few aspects that are legally required to be outsourced to independent licensed contractors, Swim-Mor Pools & Spas uses all of their own crews for the pool construction, which McCool says is unique for the pool business.
In addition to building new pools, SwimMor Pools & Spas also specializes in renovating gunite pools. The experienced team can handle everything from your standard renovation of replacing your coping, tile and plaster finish, to adding features such as raised water features, sun decks, and even spas that were not originally built with the pool. McCool says, “Even though your pool may not have originally been built with the more current popular features doesn’t mean that Swim-Mor cannot add them now.”
The 2023 pool season is already underway for the business, which thanks to the mild winter meant they were able to start construction early. Pool openings and service will ramp up from mid-April to Memorial Day.
But, for those looking to add a pool to their backyard this summer, it’s not too late. “We’re still building for this year. We’re still selling for this summer,” McCool says. “But don’t waste time. Get in!”
Nicole Corabi, Kristine Di Nardo, Rochelle Dodge, Darren Slaughter, Lori Vorgang, Amy B. Weiss
ACCOUNTING MANAGER
Max Haggerty
STAFF ACCOUNTANT
Karmal Pritchett
DIGITAL MEDIA DIRECTOR
Leigh Stuart
PUBLISHER EMERITUS
Bob Doran
EXECUTIVE PARTNERS
Gerry Haggerty, Edward P. McCartney
HOUSE & HOME
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to help transform your home EXPERTS
IBY STAFF
n the world of home improvement, kitchens and baths continue to reign supreme. Survey after survey shows that these spaces can add the most value in a home. Homeowners who are ready to make the investment in upgrading their kitchen or bath can simply look on the following pages to find qualified professionals in various specialties from marble and granite and cabinetry to remodelers and designers. With the help of this House & Home Directory, we hope the design of your dreams can soon become a reality.
Appliances
ABC Discount Appliance (856) 665-0711
ABCDiscountAppliance.com
Bar & Kitchen Stools
Oskar Huber (609) 494-8127
OskarHuber.com
Royal Billiard & Recreation, Inc. (215) 997-7777
RoyalBilliard.com
Builders/Contractors/ Remodelers
Amiano & Son Construction LLC (609) 268-5923
AmianoAndSon.com
Blue Tree Builders (609) 240-3231
ExperienceBlueTree.com
Brindisi Builders (856) 985-6219
BrindisiBuilders.com
Ernest & Sons (973) 669-3779
MasonryByErnestAndSons.com
Kitchen Tune Up Central Jersey (908) 910-0093 (908) 300-0358
KitchenTuneUp.com
Kitchen Tune Up North Jersey (201) 474-3112
KitchenTuneUp.com
Magnolia Home Remodeling Group (855) 624-6655
MagnoliaHomeRemodeling.com
Maintenance and More (609) 502-2966
MaintenanceAndMoreLLC.net
Merryfield Construction Group LLC (888) 612-5450
MerryfieldConstruction Group.com
MickeyDee’s Renovation
Home Services (856) 371-1975
LescasEnterprises.com
Nastasi Carpenters & Builders (856) 466-515
One Day Bath/The Tubcut (866) 245-6885
ODBPRO.COM
Tri-County Development Group (609) 654-6600
TriCountyDevelopment Group.com
Under Construction Builders (856) 354-0831
UCBuildersSNJ.com
Cabinetry
Kitchen Tune Up Central Jersey (908) 910-0093 (908) 300-0358
KitchenTuneUp.com
Kitchen Tune Up North Jersey (201) 474-3112
KitchenTuneUp.com
The Cabinet Shop (609) 463-0400
CabinetShopNJ.com
The CabinetTree Design Studio
The CabinetTree Design Studio in Cherry Hill, N.J. offers a greater selection and pricing than any other South Jersey –Philadelphia area cabinetry dealer, without exception! They feature cabinetry that is entrylevel to full-custom, offerings for any pricing level while being able to meet every clientʼs budget with their desired style and function. The company recently expanded its showroom to be able to provide those seeking new cabinetry for a kitchen, bath, office or entertainment
center with the newest options and design. For over 20 years, its showroom has featured the most samples of cabinet options from some of the top manufacturers in the world. Their work with architects, interior designers and builders over the last 25 years has produced thousands of kitchens and baths throughout New Jersey. More importantly, our clients are overjoyed with their new living spaces. With a combined 100 years of design experience from nine of its design professionals, The CabinetTree Design Studio delivers exceptional value in every form.
(856) 888-2220
CabinetTree.com
Shelf Genie
(609) 595-4342
ShelfGenie.com
Carpet/Hardwood/Vinyl/Etc.
Haddon Flooring (856) 654-0005
HaddonFlooring.com
Matteo Family Kitchens & Flooring (856) 769-2490
MatteoKitchens.com
Seashore Floors (609) 967-0400
SeashoreFloorsLLC.com
Cleaning, Tile/Grout
Aldayna Stone Care (973) 239-1351
Aldayna.com
Sir Grout
(866) 476-8863
SirGrout.com
Clock Repairs
Antiques & Clocks (856) 786-3444
AntiquesAndClocks1 @gmail.com
Closet Organization/ Pantries
Closets By Design (609) 881-2273
ClosetsByDesign.com
Closet Factory (North and Central Jersey) (908) 322-8270
ClosetFactory.com
Closet Factory (South Jersey) (215) 268-7660
ClosetFactory.com
Innovative Closet Designs, Inc. (201) 669-4925
InnovativeClosetDesigns.com
One Day Doors & Closets of Delaware Valley (856) 485-4006
OneDayDV.com
Emergency Generators Power Solutions Electrical Contractors (732) 356-7668
PowerSolutionsNJ.com
Furniture & Accessories
Country Lane Furniture (717) 867-5701
CountryLaneFurniture.com
Nastasi’s Fine Furniture (856) 854-3198
NastasisFurniture.com
Royal Billiard & Recreation, Inc. (215) 997-7777
RoyalBilliard.com
The Buxton Complex (609) 771-6840
TheBuxtonComplex.com
Townehaus (856) 581-0378
Townehaus.com
Viking Casual Furniture (856) 486-1880
VikingCasual.com
Granite/Marble/Tile/Solid Surfaces
AAA Hellenic Marble (610) 344-7700
AAAMarble.com
All Marble, Granite & Tile Imports (856) 354-4747
AllMarbleGranite.com
Colonial Marble & Granite (856) 872-4472
ColonialMarble.net
Imperial Marble & Granite (610) 521-0130
IMGStone.net
Matteo Family Kitchens (856) 769-2490
MatteoKitchens.com
HVAC: Heating/ Air Conditioning/Plumbing
Shore Guys Heating & Air Conditioning (609) 884-5016
ShoreGuysHVAC.com
Interior Design
Lomonaco’s Iron Concepts & Home Decor, LLC (856) 740-1071
LICIRON.com
Kitchen/Bath Design
AAA Hellenic Marble (610) 344-7700
AAAMarble.com
Amiano & Son Design-Build (609) 268-5923
AmianoAndSon.com
Blissful Baths & Home (609) 913-3600
BlissfulBaths.com
Brindisi Builders (856) 985-6219
BrindisiBuilders.com
Colonial Marble & Granite (856) 872-4472
ColonialMarble.net
Daniel Robert Remodeling (833) Daniel-0
DanielRobertRemodeling.com
Emmons Remodeling (856) 885-6677
EmmonsRemodeling.com
Ernest & Sons (973) 669-3779
MasonryByErnestAndSons.com
Kitchen Tune Up Central Jersey (908) 910-0093 (908) 300-0358
KitchenTuneUp.com
Kitchen Tune Up North Jersey (201) 474-3112
KitchenTuneUp.com
Magnolia Home Remodeling Group (855) 624-6655
MagnoliaHomeRemodeling.com
Matteo Family Kitchens & Flooring
Matteo Family Kitchens & Flooring has the items needed to complete your kitchen and flooring projects. They carry Frigidaire appliances with special package pricing. They also sell major brands of carpets, vinyl, hardwood, laminate, ceramic and porcelain tiles to fit any style or budget. They are a one-stop shopping experience. (856) 769-2490
MatteoKitchens.com
MickeyDee’s Renovation Home Services (856) 371-1975
LescasEnterprises.com
Nastasi Carpenters & Builders (856) 466-5156
One Day Bath/The Tubcut (866) 245-6885
ODBPro.com
Riverside Supply Co. (732) 257-3434
RSC-NJ.com
The Cabinet Shop (609) 463-0400 CabinetShopNJ.com
Lighting
Bright Light (610) 992-1790 (609) 465-4478
BrightLightDesignCenter.com
Marble and Granite Resurfacing/Restoration
Aldayna Stone Care, Inc. (973) 239-1351
Aldayna.com
Shower Enclosures/ Frameless Doors
Glass Castle Glass Castle is your number one source for all things glass. They offer a wide range of quality glass products for both residential and commercial customers throughout Central and Northern New Jersey. They invite you to visit their state of the art showrooms in Neshanic or Lawrenceville for inspiration. They offer a great selection of styles and colors
for shower door enclosures, including extensive options for your frameless, semi-frameless, and framed shower enclosures. The products at Glass Castle are extremely durable and are custom-fit for each clientʼs home. They offer several different shower designs. If youʼre not sure which type of shower door you would like or would fit with your décor, a quick trip to one of their showrooms will give you the opportunity to examine each type to see which you find most appealing. (908) 751-4481 (609) 531-0303 GlassCastle.com
Glasstech (908) 617-0097 ext. 200 GlassTechNJ.com
Innovative Closet Designs, Inc. (201) 669- 4925 ICDNJ.com
Stone Repair, Restoration & Polish
Tri-State Stone Doctor (855) 780-6379
TriStateStoneDoctor.com
Window Treatments/Blinds
The Mainstreet Workroom (201) 487-1626
MainstreetWorkroom.com
Window Works (973) 535-5860
WindowWorks-NJ.com
Windows
Window King (609) 534-7736
WindowKing.biz
KITCHENRevitalization
With holiday hosting opportunities around the corner, people are opting for
fresh, new ideas.
When picturing a kitchen, it’s typical to think of warmth—whether in terms of family memories made gathering around the table, the heat that radiates from cooking or the homey aesthetic often found in it. In the recent past, popular kitchen designs have consisted of a sleek, minimalist theme best suited for a modern flair. This year, the innovative technology is now incorporated among personalized kitchens with color, character and comfortability.
“In 2024, color made a big comeback. Kitchens moved away from the all-white standard, embracing warmer tones, richer textures and personality-driven design choices. Homeowners began leaning into spaces that felt lived-in and inviting, with layers of color and material adding depth to the overall look,” says Todd Finkenstadt, co-owner of Kitchen Tune-Up Glen Rock. “Now in 2025, this movement has expanded further. One of the biggest shifts has been the surge in natural
wood-grain cabinetry, with white oak leading the way. The warmth and organic feel of oak brings character to the kitchen, balancing modern clean lines with a timeless, natural element.”
He adds that there is a rising demand for built-in dining nooks, which create a cozy, intimate atmosphere and expanded storage. There has been a resurgence of color, unique designs, and wood and quartz materials reminiscent of the kitchens that were trending decades ago. The difference, however, is that there are more customization options today than ever before.
“A few years ago, everyone wanted the bright white kitchen—walls, cabinets, countertops, everything. Now, there’s more balance. Clients want a white or neutral backdrop, but they’re layering in wood textures, stone
By Carly Murray
surfaces with character and color on the lower cabinets or island. It’s a shift from ‘all one look’ to a mix that feels more natural and lived-in,” affirms Takia Livingston, owner of Kitchen Tune-Up Bloomfield.
The shift from clean, contemporary kitchens to creative and customized kitchens is not necessarily one extreme or the other. Homeowners often find a combination of the two, which is perfectly aligned with the idea of making the space individualized.
“Just a few years ago, all-white and minimalist kitchens dominated. Today’s homeowners want more warmth and individuality. Instead of sterile spaces, kitchens are becoming highly personal, layered and textured,” says Jeff Toren, owner of Kitchen Tune-Up Main Line. “Functionality is also driving design— people want more than just a beautiful space;
KITCHENRevitalization
they want storage solutions, flexible layouts and technology that makes everyday life easier.”
If sprucing up a neutral kitchen, experiment with accent materials, colors and pieces to add something new without an overwhelming change.
“Warmer tones and stains are back in [for] arches, doorways and accent pieces: Warmer whites paired with medium-warm stains on either oak or maple, as opposed to stark white; recessed panels for clean lines; varying shades of green/earth tones,” adds Kari Taverna, senior kitchen and bath design consultant at Weiler’s Kitchen and Bath Design Center. “We’re happily out of the gray era, [it’s] been on the downslope to open the door for warmth and color.”
Consistently popular shaker cabinets are an excellent way to start, because they are an essential piece but not the centerpiece of a kitchen.
“For many years, the vast majority of our cabinet sales were white and off-white recessed panel doors styles like a shakerdoor style. Recently, more unusual painted colors like greens and stained finishes have grown in popularity. Some past door styles and finishes like raised-panel door styles and glazed finishes have just started to sell again after 20 years,” says Paul McAlary, president of Main Line Kitchen Design. “There are much more style, color and wood variations than in years past, which is refreshing.”
Whether adding a pop of color among neutrals or all-encompassing color, playing with shaker cabinet aesthetics harmoniously blends modern and classic design.
“Two-tone cabinets—light uppers paired with a deeper base color—are especially popular because they add interest without overwhelming the space. We’re also seeing a lot of requests for functional upgrades, like
pull-out storage, organizers and soft-close hardware. It’s not just about the look anymore—it’s about creating a kitchen that works harder for the family using it every day,” says Livingston.
“Cabinet designs are moving toward two-tone looks and textured finishes, such as fluted or reeded doors, that add subtle character. To complete the look, mixedmetal hardware—like brass with matte black—along with oversized pendant lighting bring a cohesive, modern feel,” adds Toren.
Finkenstadt explains that blues, greens and wood tones have been popular choices for cabinet colors. Color choices can pair with shapes and lines to accentuate and to mimic the desired era of design trends. Sharp lines, simplicity and open space are common attributes of modern designs that work well with any color choice.
“Rich, inviting finishes bring character and comfort to the kitchen. While the classic shaker door continues to be our most popular style, the slim shaker is quickly gaining attention,” continues Finkenstadt. “The slim shaker is a modern twist on the traditional design, featuring slimmer rails and stiles on the border. It’s the perfect middle ground for homeowners torn between the clean simplicity of a flat panel and the timeless appeal of a shaker door. With its subtle detailing, it delivers a fresh, modern look without losing the warmth and versatility people love about shaker cabinetry.
Considering both look and functionality simultaneously is important, especially when it comes to a kitchen. When it comes to choices in flooring, functionality is a bit more important because of the messiness that is characteristic of kitchens. Whether a floor is subject to damage from kids, pets, water or food, luxury vinyl plank remains a strong choice for durability and longevity.
“Luxury vinyl planks are somewhat indestructible. I love a good natural hardwood, but it may not be the best fit for all areas, such as when you have your living room flooring continue right into the kitchen,” explains Rich Lauletta, owner of Haddon Flooring. “I have luxury vinyl in my house, and my three crazy kids put it to the test for sure. It still looks great.”
Luxury vinyl planks are available in a variety of styles and colors, so it’s easy to find one that fits well with a kitchen design now that the utility is covered. Flooring sets the stage, but it is not a focal point like an island or a dining table. Trends in colors have certainly arrived and passed when it comes to flooring, but a traditional color and style best complements the rest of the room.
“Light colors have been trending for a while now, but we’re starting to see some more medium shades more frequently. In general I think a great ‘earth tone’ does not go out of style. I never personally loved the gray trend a few years back, [it] didn’t seem natural, and [was] a little too dull,” says Lauletta.
After all, with innovation taking over every aspect of everyday life as well as home design, it’s beneficial to keep some familiar ground. Smart home automation can seem daunting, but it is utilized best in a kitchen— which offers plenty of opportunities for technology integration. This aspect has also been responsible for the shift toward minimalism.
“You walked into an older home years ago, and you saw a whole bank of switches—maybe five were dimmers that are placed for each zone of lighting,” says David Cerami owner of HomeTech Renovations. “The dimmers now could be basically located in a basement closet if you wish, and they are communicated through either a handheld device or a wall-mounted pod that would pop out of a device somewhere, or your phone. So, you can actually turn lights on and off, and adjust them accordingly from your phone or from a central pad.”
He further explains that in a kitchen, different zones of lighting can consist of decorative, above the island, cabinet interior lighting, cove lighting, above the table—and anywhere else that could be integral to the ongoings of a kitchen. Experimenting with the brightness of each section at different times of day can transform the atmosphere.
“Lighting is so important. We do a lot of under-cabinet, in-cabinet lighting, and we’re doing pop-up outlets in the countertops, which is a cool idea, rather than having outlets on the side wall,” says Vic Fiore, president of Magnolia Home Remodeling Group. “Plumbing fixtures have gotten more and
KITCHENRevitalization
more advanced, including touchless, where they come on and off with the wave of a hand.”
Efficiency and ease are the epitome of luxury living, and now menial tasks are replaced with voice-activation and AI assistance. Appliances have undergone the most impactful AI takeover, with devices and mechanisms once unfathomable.
“We find a lot of appliances are smart appliances. Some of these appliances could even monitor contents within a refrigerator,” says Cerami. “A lot of the appliances [we see] have automation built into them, whether they’re temperature probes for baking or cooking, or recipes that are pre-programmed into cooking equipment that will complete the cooking cycle in accordance with that recipe.”
Heightened technology is also a major tool in the planning process, and something that home renovation experts utilize to better give clients the full picture.
“The technology we use to design these spaces has gotten better and better to the point where people can really visualize what the space would look like,” says Fiore.
Planning can be both exciting and tumultuous, but an early start and the help of a professional will go a long way in obtaining a homeowner’s dream kitchen. Any vision can become a reality with the right tools and finances, but there are alternatives available that homeowners might not have known existed.
“People should start working on a kitchen renovation as early as possible. You can always hold off starting the actual renovation as long as you like,” says McAlary. “Once we show them options that they hadn’t considered, it takes much longer for them to make decisions. Almost no one ends up selecting the design that they planned on before working with a good experienced kitchen designer.”
A professional kitchen de-
signer will incorporate a client’s taste with practicality, while seamlessly coordinating all of the pieces together. They can also help problem-solve and determine what a plan is missing.
“Everyone’s different,” says Weiler’s designer Andi Saracco. “Getting a hold of what they really like and dislike about their current space is the best place to start, we want to incorporate what they do like but there might be a dysfunctional corner we have to figure out how to make more practical.”
A kitchen is the heart of the home, and it’s best to exhibit creativity and the personalities within it. Now is the perfect time to assess hosting and entertaining expectations and desires, to begin planning for the kitchen of your dreams in time for next year’s holiday season.
Bergen County, N.J.: (201) 614-1774 Bloomfield, N.J.: (973) 949-0454 Main Line, Pa.: (484) 435-7430
KitchenTuneUp.com
Magnolia Home Remodeling Group Union, N.J. (855) 624-6655
MagnoliaHomeRemodeling.com
Main Line Kitchen Design Bala Cynwyd, Pa. (610) 500-4071
MainLineKitchenDesign.com
Weiler’s Kitchen and Bath Design Center Feasterville, Pa. (215) 357-9300
WeilersKitchens.com
What are the advantages of wood-burning inserts and wood-burning stoves?
Feeling the Heat
To ensure comfort during the colder months, now is the time to make sure your heating systems are operating optimally.
by PETER PROKO
With fall’s arrival and Old Man Winter not far behind, now is the perfect time for homeowners to start focusing on how they heat their home. From furnaces to fireplaces, having your heating sources inspected and serviced ahead of the frigid temperatures can go a long way to ensuring the utmost comfort while also keeping energy costs down.
To get a better understanding of how to best prepare for the upcoming change in seasons, House & Home spoke with some experts in the field to get their professional guidance to make sure no one is left out in the cold.
As the temperatures being to cool outside, what should homeowners be thinking about in terms of having their heating unit inspected and/or serviced so they aren’t dealing with issues in the dead of winter?
Every homeowner, just prior to at the beginning of fall, you should have your unit inspected or at least serviced to include the following:
• Checking the thermostat operation
• Checking that the furnace is clean
• Checking that the filer and fan motor are clean
That is all that needs to be done, there is nothing extravagant about it.
—Wayne Cangialosi, Wayne Refrigeration Air Conditioning & Heating
Signing up for a preventative maintenance plan will make sure their system is in optimal performance for efficiency this winter. Keeping systems maintained will save them money in the long run.
—Ann Carolyn Bush, R&D Heating and Cooling
What’s the best way to address cold air pouring through a fireplace?
The most common cause of what we call ‘cold hearth syndrome’ is the inherent inefficiency of traditional open wood or gas fireplaces. Think about it: your chimney is essentially a large hole in your home. Since cold air is heavier, it naturally sinks into your chimney and spills into your living room. Making matters worse, appliances like kitchen and bathroom fans, as well as HVAC systems, draw in outside air, and your chimney becomes a prime source.
Your first instinct might be to close the damper or install fireplace doors. Unfortunately, in most modern homes, that’s not enough to stop the draft. The most effective solution is to install a sealed gas or wood insert. This allows us to seal the chimney top, damper area and fireplace opening, creating an incredibly efficient, airtight fireplace system.
—David Rettinger Jr., Rettinger Fireplace Systems
You can cut your home heating costs by greater than 50% with a wood-burning insert or wood-burning stove. A lot of our customers will heat their entire home and just use fossil fuels as a supplementary heat source.
A traditional masonry fireplace is still very popular and people enjoy them, but open burning fireplaces do not generate heat the way a wood-burning insert or a wood-burning stove does. If you’re looking for something that takes the chill off and gives you really calming effects, you would want to have a traditional masonry fireplace. But if you’re looking to generate heat and save on home heating costs, you’ll probably want a wood-burning insert or a freestanding wood-burning stove.
—Leon Ochal, Chimney Scientists
What are some of the more popular requests from customers these days?
Customers are looking for rebates from their utility company if applicable, to help save money on electric and/or propane. They also want quietness and, of course, the best option cost-wise to fit their budget. … Comparing apples to apples, maybe the company they are working with is higher, but be sure to look at company profiles, reviews and the types of services they offer after the installation. —Ann Carolyn Bush
Is there an optimal thermostat setting for the winter months?
It’s really dependent on your own comfort level. What I tell people normally is that furnaces are designed to reach 72 degrees from whatever the outside temperature is. So if its 0 degrees, the furnace should reach 72 degrees in a certain amount of time. If it doesn’t reach 72 degrees, then either it’s way too cold out, or the furnace isn’t operating with peak efficiency. But that is also dependent on the insulation in your walls as well as the window insulation in the house. Because an older house with newspaper in the walls for insulation is not going to maintain that heat all the time.
I tell my customers that if they’re not home during the day in the wintertime, set your thermostat at 62-65 degrees. That will keep your pipes from freezing and it won’t cost you that much to heat the house during the day. Then, when you get home, you can raise the temperature up to your comfort level. It’s a lot easier to
maintain and reach that temperature when it’s already halfway there then having it
—Wayne Cangialosi
What are some of the most common concerns you encounter with chimneys?
A lot of people don’t even realize they have a chimney for their heating system. A huge portion of our business is preparing chimneys for your heater. So I would say for your average homeowner, just being aware that they have a chimney for their heater is good to know. And then, if they have never had that looked at, it’s maybe time to hire a certified chimney professional to do a camera inspection.
If you live in a house that was built before 1980, there’s like a 98% chance that you have a chimney for your heating system. And most people are not aware of that. So it’s best to have someone look at it before it collapses on itself and carbon monoxide backs into the basement.
—Leon Ochal
How can you eliminate odor emitting from a gas fireplace?
If you have a gas fireplace emitting unpleasant odors, it’s likely a vent-free model. These units burn room air and exhaust emissions directly back into the room, much like a gas stove. This not only leads to unpleasant smells, but also introduces moisture, which can be particularly troublesome for people with respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD.
Replacing a vent-free unit with a sealed gas fireplace creates a significantly more comfortable environment. These systems provide radiant heat while venting emissions outside the home. The result is increased room temperature without compromising indoor air quality. Many models also include remote controls and thermostatic or high/low settings for maximum comfort and control.
