A fireplace is a great way to add ambience and warmth to a room, but it can also be a significant source of energy waste. And when it comes to saving money on your energy bill, every little bit helps.
That’s why an energy-efficient fireplace is a great idea. Not only will it ultimately save money, but it will also reduce your carbon footprint. On top of all that, an energy-efficient fireplace can notably improve how warm you feel in your home.
If you’re looking to make your fireplace more energy-efficient, there are a few things you can do. Here are four things to prioritize:
1) Fireplace Inserts
If you have an old, inefficient fireplace, one key thing you can do is install a fireplace insert. Fireplace inserts fit into your existing fireplace and greatly improve its efficiency, sealing up any gaps or cracks where heat can escape.
If you didn’t know, inserts would work by trapping heat inside the firebox and circulating it back into the room rather than letting it escape up the chimney. This can result in savings of up to 30% on your heating bill.
2) Fireplace Damper
The best way to reduce this heat loss is to ensure the damper is properly closed when the fireplace is not in use. If you have an old fireplace with a manual damper, it’s always a good idea to have a professional inspect it and do repairs to ensure it is closing properly.
If you have a newer fireplace, you may want to ensure the damper is working correctly. If your fireplace is not a sealed unit this could be causing issues with keeping your room warm.
3) Glass Doors
If you have a wood-burning fireplace and don’t have a fireplace insert or damper, one of the best things that can improve its efficiency is to ensure the glass doors are closing correctly. Glass doors work by sealing off the inside of your fireplace, preventing heat from escaping up your chimney.
Glass doors come with the initial fireplace and are fireplace specific.
4) Air Circulation
Another way to improve the efficiency of your wood-burning fireplace is to make sure that the air in your home is free to circulate. The air in your home can get stale, especially when you are using a fireplace in one portion of your home.
For instance, you can improve the air circulation in your home by turning on ceiling fans, or by turning your furnace fan to “on” from “auto”.
Conclusion
In conclusion, an energy-efficient fireplace is an important feature to have in any home. Not only does it save on energy costs, but it also helps to improve its overall performance. Be sure to do your very own research to find the ideal unit for your place.
Interested in fireplace repairs? 4 Seasons Home Comfort offers our customers the largest full-burning showroom in Southern Alberta, with over 30 different fireplaces and stoves. Get in touch with us today!
