Fireplace Facts and Advice
Fireplaces are finding their way into more homes today, and homeowners can usually find the exact fireplace they want from the wide selection of styles available. Fireplaces today incorporate both contemporary and classic styles, and these can be purchased in a multitude of colors.
Some homeowners opt to purchase a fireplace that is delivered to their doorstep and then fit the components together with a screwdriver in about sixty minutes, and others choose to remodel an existing fireplace or build a new fireplace in their home. Many of us try to save money on home projects, but be careful not to waste money by deciding to buy a less costly fireplace that may end up being a disappointment.
Fireplaces enhance your homes appeal, but permanent fireplaces can be the source of heat and energy loss. Much of the heat generated from your fireplace is lost as it makes its way up the chimney, never being used to heat your home, and some of your homes warmed air migrates up the chimney as well, sometimes leaving your home cooler than it was before you started a fire. Finding the perfect balance between the temperature setting for your home and your fireplace heat will mean decreased energy payments for you and lower carbon emissions for the environment.
When your fireplace is idle your homes heated air flows out of your home through the chimney while cold outside air comes into your home in downdraughts. To avoid losing your homes warm air and allowing cold air to enter your home, position a fireplace shield directly in front of your fireplace any time you are not using your fireplace. Some fireplaces have glass doors, and this gives the same advantage as a fireplace shield.
A good way to capture more of your fireplaces heat is to position a cast-iron plate at the back of the firebox. This allows you to benefit more from the fires heat and also means you will use less fuel for your fire and less energy to heat your home. Fireplaces without chimneys do not allow warm air loss, but in order to keep the temperature in all parts of your home at a comfortable level, you will need to monitor your heating systems output.
If you want ease in cleaning your fireplace, the popular real flame fireplace may be your best choice because it does not create soot or ashes. Other fireplaces available are gas, electric, propane, and wood-burning fireplaces. Many people like the classic brick fireplaces, but these are sometimes too expensive for homeowners. Gas and electric inserts are good additions for brick fireplaces. These inserts are placed in the firebox of the brick fireplace and allow easier operation and heat control.