Everyone loves the heat of a warm fire. A roaring hearth helps make your house feel cozy, provides heat on a cold winter day, and is comforting to look at. However, as wonderful as a warm fire can be, they also can eat up quite a bit of energy. For that reason, many people have started to turn to energy efficient fireplaces that help offset some of the extra consumption that can come from a traditional wood burning models.
This guide will look at some of those energy efficient options, and explain the numerous benefits that come from such fireplaces.
High Efficiency Fireplace Models
Typically, electric and gas fireplaces are more energy efficient than standard wood-burning models. However, that does not mean you need to only search for those styles when looking to up your efficiency. Recent advancements have led to a wide range of energy efficient wood-burning fireplaces. Such models typically come with vents that bring in outside air, a process that minimizes lost heat.
Beyond electric, gas, and wood-burning, you can also look at freestanding or mounted wood-burning stoves. A lot of the energy loss in fireplaces comes from warm air escaping up through the chimney. As there is no chimney on a freestanding stove, you do not have that problem.
Just note that, when looking for a freestanding model, you want to pay attention to how long it will take to burn, as well as much space it can heat.
There are many places where you can buy energy efficient fireplaces. Some come directly from the manufacturer, but you should be able to find options both online and at popular stores. Those fireplaces have a wide range of costs, all of which depend on quality and where they come from. Some go for over $2,000, while others are as low as $500. Shop around to find what best fits your budget.
Types of Energy Efficient Fireplaces
There are several different options you can go when looking for highly efficient fireplaces. The first is gas, which comes in two main types: Direct-vent gas and vent-free.
Direct-vent fireplaces use two-way vents that use outside air for combustion. On the other hand, vent-free are even more energy-efficient because they send no exhaust outside. However, they do tend to release a lot of moisture inside.
Wood-burning fireplaces typically only convert 15 percent of wood energy into useful heat. Not only do the above gas types increase that number to 75 percent, but each can be further improved with extra add-ons as well. These are a great option for anyone looking for a convenient way to their home without needing to put in a lot of maintenance.
Beyond gas, you also have the more energy efficient wood-burning models. Though standard designs let out a lot of air through the chimney, these new models prevent such issues. For example, Rumford fireplaces are built in a way where a shallow box reflects heat back into the room, limiting wasted warmth.
There are also EPA-qualified fireplaces, which have great performance and extremely high energy-efficient ratings. These models are made to pull in outside air, and they also move indoor air around the firebox to get the most heat possible. Such features also cause them to create much less pollution than other fireplaces.
Another great way to improve fireplace efficiency is through a fireplace insert. These boxes sit inside openings and use outside air to fuel combustion. That then circulates warm air inside. They also burn a range of different biomass fuels and can be rated as 80 percent efficient.
Old fireplaces, even when not in use, can suck cold air out of the room. Inserts remove that by pushing warm air into the room and limiting how much is sucked out of the chimney.
The final way you can make a fireplace more efficient is through the addition of doors. Many fireplaces have their own doors, which comes in metal or glass. Not only do they limit how much air is sucked out of the room (which then improves efficiency) but they also are great at night to help conserve energy while the fire is burning low.
Choosing the Best Energy Efficient Fireplace for You
There is no doubt that, when it comes to efficient fireplaces, you have options. Many people love a roaring fire, but that does not mean you have to sacrifice costs or energy to have one. Gas and electric are both great options, but some wood-burning models come with high efficiency as well. As long as you shop around and know the different kinds that are available, you will be able to save energy while keeping your home warm.