A fireplace is one of the best things you can have in a home! However, the time to buy one or turn yours on is right around the corner. They’re a great way to warm up your space, and the entire family can spend time together, relaxing to their hearts’ content. Please continue reading to learn everything you need to know about fireplaces so you can get the right one for your home and give it the care it needs.
There Are Different Kinds
One of the most important things about fireplaces is that they are not all the same. Instead, there are a few different kinds of fireplaces that you can enjoy, all depending on your desired style, budget, and unique heating needs. Understanding the differences between fireplaces is key to ensuring you end up with the one that works best for you and your home.
Wood-Burning Fireplaces
Wood-burning fireplaces are the most traditional type that has existed for centuries. It’s the quintessential fireplace that everyone knows since it has the characteristic crackling and wood that you’ll need to check up on regularly. When it comes to authenticity, you cannot beat wood-burning fireplaces. You will need to regularly stoke the fire and add more wood, which means you’ll regularly need to buy or chop wood, but it’s all worth it for the warm, crackling fire experience.
While wood-burning fireplaces have many advantages, they have some drawbacks that may make a significant difference to the average consumer. Some cons of a wood-burning fireplace are:
- They require a chimney, which itself requires regular cleaning and maintenance.
- You must clean up the post-fire ash after every use.
- They produce a lot of heat, but some of it goes back through the chimney instead of into your home.
There’s a lot to love about wood-burning fireplaces, but also many things to consider about alternatives that are also on the market. Thankfully, there’s a lot to choose from, so you can have the proper fireplace for your home.
Gas Fireplaces
While wood and pellet-burning fireplaces have much to love, many homeowners still opt for gas fireplaces. Gas fireplaces have many of the same benefits, like the warmth and elegance of a wood fireplace, without many drawbacks. When you use a gas fireplace, you don’t need a chimney, you don’t need to clean a chimney, and you don’t need to buy pellets or wood. A gas fireplace is typically more efficient than some other options, and you can get them installed in an existing fireplace or get a freestanding gas stove.
Gas fireplaces are an excellent option for many, but there are some potential drawbacks. Depending on your location, you might not have natural gas available. You can install an outdoor propane tank as your fuel source in instances like these.
Pellet Fireplaces
Pellet fireplaces are a newer fireplace alternative, emerging around the 1970s as oil became less available. Small pellets made of organic material like food or wood waste get burned in a pellet fireplace. What’s interesting about pellet fireplaces is that they have a thermostat and fans. The thermostat helps ensure that you use the correct number of pellets and that you’re not burning more than you need, which you can achieve by setting the desired temperature. The fans will then steadily blow the air across the fire to maintain the temperature in the fireplace’s interior and within the room.
Pellet fireplaces are one of the most efficient, and the pellets burn cleanly. They traditionally come with ash pans at the bottom to make cleanup easy. You also have different options for your pellet fireplace; you can get a freestanding model that you can place anywhere or an insert that goes into a traditional fireplace alcove. It’s an excellent option for many, but there are still some drawbacks, such as:
- Pellets come in heavy bags and require dry storage space.
- Pellets are traditionally more expensive than wood.
- You don’t get the traditional fire-burning view.
- Needs regular clean-up and maintenance to ensure the fireplace runs cleanly and efficiently.
While there are some cons, a pellet stove has many great advantages. You’ll only be cleaning a small amount of ash instead of the higher amount of ash with wood-burning fireplaces or the creosote buildup that comes with wood burning.
Clean Regularly
One of the most important things to do when you have a fireplace is to clean it regularly. Leaving a little ash after a burn is essential for maintaining the heat the next time you use the fireplace, but anything more than an inch or so is dangerous. In addition to cleaning the fireplace, you should also clean out your chimney. Any buildup or blockages can be dangerous if you ignore them, so get an annual inspection to ensure you’re ready for fireplace season. Additionally, gas fireplaces should be scheduled for a cleaning and safety check every one to two years to keep them optimally operating.
Give Them Space
In addition to giving your fireplace regular cleaning and maintenance to ensure everything is in working order, you must also take care of the space around the fireplace. Fireplaces get hot; that’s their job. The closer you get to the fireplace, the hotter it is, so don’t keep items too close to it. A good rule is to set furniture and other items around 36 inches from the fireplace since a stray ember or too much intense heat can quickly lead to a fire.
After learning everything there is to know about fireplaces, you’re probably ready to turn yours on or get one for yourself. They’re a fantastic addition to any home, but you must get the one that works for you! Here at Haven Spa Pool and Hearth, we’re a fantastic fireplace store where you can find multiple kinds of fireplaces to suit your needs. We have wood, pellet, and gas fireplaces so that, regardless of your budget and heating needs, we can find the right fireplace for you.
