How to Make an Old Masonry Fireplace More Efficient

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.

Instructions

1. Install glass doors. These reduce the air flow from the living space to the fireplace and stop much of the hot air that would otherwise go up the chimney. Some heat will still radiate through the glass doors.

2. Install a grate heater. A grate heater draws cooler air from the room into the fireplace, heats it and blows it back into the room. Some models channel the heated air directly into the duct work of your furnace. Grate heaters come in a variety of sizes to fit most fireplaces.

3. Install a fireback. A fireback is a sheet of cast iron installed at the back of the fire box. It reflects heat back into the room, rather than being absorbed by the back bricks of the fireplace, which are usually on an outside wall. Heat that would be wasted is reflected back into the living space.

4. Install a new damper. Dampers regulate airflow up the chimney, but they are notorious for warping within a few years of installation. This allows air to leak up the chimney. To more completely stop airflow up the chimney, install a chimney cap damper. This type of damper closes off the entire top of the chimney, effectively stopping heated air (and dollars) from escaping up the chimney.

5. Install inflatable fireplace chimney plugs. Once installed and inflated, they stop the flow of air up the chimney and are a good partner with glass fireplace doors. Inflatable chimney plugs are an economical option if you don't use your fireplace frequently.

6. Install a fireplace insert. This is the most effective, and most expensive, option to make your fireplace more efficient. Essentially a wood stove, fireplace inserts dramatically increase the efficiency of your fireplace. They also change the look. The visible part of the fireplace's interior will look like a wood stove instead of a firebox.

Tips & Warnings

• Never burn a fire in your fireplace with the damper closed.

• Check your local building codes and ordinances before making any modifications to your fireplace.