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What are the Benefits of Improving Fireplace Efficiency?

Rhonda Rivera
Rhonda Rivera

There are a plethora of benefits to increasing fireplace efficiency. A major benefit to some is saving money by heating the home more quickly and having to purchase less wood. If the homeowner cuts down and chops the wood him or herself, improving the fireplace can also save hours of time each winter. Another benefit of increasing fireplace efficiency is that the fireplace will create less pollution, because less wood needs to be burned to warm the home. Sometimes, increasing fireplace efficiency can also improve the appearance of the fireplace with engraved glass doors or fireplace inserts.

Most people seek to better their fireplace to lower energy costs during the cold months. By having a fireplace that quickly heats the main room and surrounding rooms, the homeowner can rely less on gas or electricity. This can be achieved by installing fireplace inserts, grate heaters, or other products designed to improve fireplace efficiency. These objects might be on the expensive side, but it is often possible to recover the costs within a year when attempting to rely less on central heating.

A fireplace grate elevates the wood to allow air distribution to the embers and improves efficiency.
A fireplace grate elevates the wood to allow air distribution to the embers and improves efficiency.

Another benefit of improving fireplace efficiency is using less wood to heat the home. This can lead to less wood purchased or cut each winter, which saves both time, money, and trees. In fact, for those who manually cut down and chop trees, improving the efficiency of the fireplace can save them a lot of time every winter. Saving trees is important to many people attempting to live an eco-friendly lifestyle.

Since burning just about anything reduces air quality, someone who uses a fireplace can pollute less by improving its efficiency. Burning less wood helps improve the air quality in both the home and outdoors. It is also important not to burn anything besides wood, like plastic or rubber. These materials not only severely pollute both the indoor and outdoor air, but they are hazardous to a person’s health when breathed in. The air quality in the home can further be improved by running a purifier or similar device.

A lot of devices used to improve fireplace efficiency can also improve the fireplace’s appearance. For example, thick glass doors come in modern designs with engravings etchings to give the fireplace an elegant appearance. Fireplace inserts can also be chosen in a color that best matches the mantel and furniture in the room. Together, these devices can give a fireplace a completely different look in addition to saving on energy costs and being less harmful to the planet.

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    • A fireplace grate elevates the wood to allow air distribution to the embers and improves efficiency.
      By: dambuster
      A fireplace grate elevates the wood to allow air distribution to the embers and improves efficiency.