Is Your Fireplace Losing Heat? Learn How To Make It More Efficient
There are few things that are as nice as relaxing in front of a warm and cozy fireplace on a cold winter day. Not only do fireplaces keep you warm, but they make for a very relaxing and romantic atmosphere.
The problem that many of us are familiar with, however, is that not all fireplaces are an efficient means for heating up your house. In fact, one study showed that traditional fireplaces are usually only around five to ten percent efficient!
Wood fireplaces can also be a lot of work to maintain if they are not cleaned or properly designed. They may even fill your house with smoke.
A solution to these problems lies in what is known as a fireplace insert. In this article, we will briefly go over what fireplace inserts are and what benefits they offer.
What Are Fireplace Inserts?
Most fireplace inserts are basically big cast iron or steel boxes with an insulated glass front and a closed combustion system. It is made to resemble a fireplace. The cast iron or steel box traps the heat that would otherwise go straight up the chimney. Most inserts also have a blower that directs the hot air further into the room through front vents.
Most of these fireplace inserts are designed to work either off of natural gas, propane or electricity. However, there are also wood burning fireplace inserts. Wood burning fireplace inserts basically take many of the benefits of a wood stove and put them into your fireplace.
The Benefits Associated with Fireplace Inserts
As we mentioned in the introduction, traditional fireplaces are not very heat efficient. If you want to use your fireplace for more than just a romantic atmosphere, then you should seriously consider getting a fireplace insert.
Many fireplace inserts are rated at least fifty percent higher efficiency rates than traditional fireplaces, some claim around 80 percent efficiency. This is probably the most noticeable advantage.
Other advantages include easier heating. If you have ever had to go out and chop wood in the frigid cold, you probably are not too keen on the idea of continuing to do it. If you do enjoy the exercise from chopping wood, you surely like the idea of a fireplace that uses every ounce of energy possible from each log.
Wood burning inserts use the logs that you place in them very efficiently. Gas or electric fireplaces are also very efficient and are as easy as pressing a button to turn it on. A lot of modern gas fireplace inserts are so realistic that guests may not even realize you are not burning real wood!
If you want to save money and heat your house more efficiently while maintaining the cozy atmosphere of your fireplace, then fireplace inserts are the way to go!
R.F. Ohl specializes in home heating products as well as the delivery of competitively priced, high quality, home heating oil, propane, diesel fuel, and kerosene throughout Carbon, Monroe, Schuylkill, Lehigh, and Northampton counties. Call us today for more information!