home sectionhome sectionAdding a fireplace to your home can help improve the overall energy efficiency of your central heating system by supplying additional heat and reducing overall demand on the home's central heating system. You can choose among several different types of fireplaces for this purpose. Knowing the essential differences between these fireplaces -- differences in the type of fuel they use, for instance -- can assist you in choosing the most energy-efficient fireplaces.
Fireplace flues are intended to provide the inflow of oxygen to aid combustion and the outflow of fumes and gases. Both of these objectives are best accomplished by a flue that rises straight up from the fireplace. When the realities of your home's architecture require building a bend into your flue, attempt to avoid any slope, or offset, of 45 degrees or greater.
You might think that your fireplace is adding more heat to your home during winter. However, a lot of the heat that is generated is most likely never making it into the room. Instead, it's going straight up the chimney. This actually encourages cold air to come in from outside, making your fireplace doubly inefficient. Fortunately, there are things you can do to make your fireplace more efficient and get more heat from it.
The Government of Canada has established energy efficiency standards for heating equipment and appliances. Canada's EnerGuide rating system and label shows the energy efficiency of gas fireplaces and other heating units. Canada's fireplace efficiency rating is expressed as a percentage and is the only recognized measurement of vented gas fireplace energy efficiency in Canada. According to the fireplace efficiency rating, the most efficient gas fireplaces are rated at 70 percent and above, with the most efficient gas fireplaces on the market in 2011 rated at 92 percent efficiency.
A gas fireplace might be the best choice for your home. A gas fireplace does not require the use of real logs that burn and create emissions, ash and smoke. Instead, a gas fireplace has a few fake logs that burn using natural gas. Even though you're not using real wood, you can still get quite a bit of heat from a gas fireplace. To ensure more energy efficiency, there are a few simple techniques you can use.
Snuggling up before a crackling fire is a cozy way to add enjoyment to a winter day. The flickering flames add a warm ambiance and romantic lighting to the room. Make your wood burning fireplace heat the room more efficiently by investing in the right tools. They help heat the room, not add to the utility costs. Options not only increase the efficiency of your fireplace, they decrease the amount of smoke that gets inside your home.
Gas fireplaces can serve as a home's primary source of heat or fill in as a backup in case of furnace failure. According to Sask Energy, gas fireplaces are approximately 80 percent energy efficient. Gas fireplaces consume no electricity and come with many energy conserving features and options.
Gel-fueled fireplaces can efficiently heat a room that isn't too big, according to the Alternative-Heating website. They are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, but typically are considered sub par for heating an entire house.
Installing a fireplace insert or wood stove in your home will increase the value of your heating dollar. Though neither should be your home's primary heating source, either choice will add extra warmth to your home while decreasing your energy bill.
Burning a fire in your fireplace may seem like an easy way to heat your home, but most fireplaces suffer from serious design flaws and waste more energy than they produce. Building a new fireplace with a design that reduces these flaws and energy leaks can heat the room with less fuel and create less smoke. Some design ideas can be introduced into a pre-existing fireplace, while others require new construction.
No matter where you live or what types of appliances and features you have in your home, there is always room for improvement in terms of energy efficiency. For example, your fireplace may actually be wasting more energy than it's helping you save. Warm air can always escape of the chimney of your fireplace, and while it burns on cold nights, the heat from inside your home is being lost up the chimney while cold air is literally being drawn into your home. Fortunately, there are ways to improve the efficiency of your fireplace.
A gas fireplace is an efficient way to heat your home during the colder months. Gas fireplaces are more energy efficient than wood burning stoves or fireplaces, but there are ways you can increase that efficiency. Routine maintenance and cleaning is the easiest way to keep your fireplace efficient. You can also consider replacing your gas log system with a gas fireplace insert.
The ability to return home on a cold day and make a warm fire just by flipping a switch makes gas fireplaces desirable. There is no need to haul wood or remove piles of ashes. Some gas fireplaces have heat exchangers that provide a warm fire even if your electricity goes out. With regular maintenance, your fireplace will be more efficient and last longer.
A masonry fireplace creates a warm and cozy atmosphere in any room. However, fireplaces are a major source of heat loss, even when in use. Although the room with the fireplace will feel warmer, the draft from the burning fire actually pulls warmed air from the home. There are many ways to improve fireplace efficiency, reduce the heat lost from the home and use an existing masonry fireplace as a more effective heat source.
Heating efficiency is one of the most important concerns to a homeowner, especially to those living in a cooler climate. Air-conditioning systems can provide heat, but a popular supplement is the fireplace. Modern technology has allowed many fireplaces to become more and more efficient, no matter the type. Homeowners should choose a fireplace based on their personal heat needs and house requirements.
Many people build a fire in their fireplace with the idea to save money by taking some of the burden off their furnace. Unfortunately, traditional masonry fireplaces are one of the biggest energy wasters in our homes. You can easily make some modifications to your masonry fireplace to make it more efficient. Some of these ways are easy and inexpensive; others a little more involved. Whatever methods you choose to implement, afterward your fireplace will more efficiently help your furnace heat your home.
