Interested in adding a fireplace to your home? Not sure where to start or how they work? Below, we answer the most common fireplace questions to help you find out which fireplace type is best for you!
When is it Appropriate to Add a Fireplace in a Home?
Many homeowners design their home with a fireplace in their building plans. However, you can actually add a fireplace to your current home. If you have the budget to add a fireplace, it can be a wonderful cozy addition to your home.
Once you’ve decided to install a fireplace, you’ll want to contact a general contractor or research your city/county code to make sure your fireplace can be installed and any placement specifications. After researching the protocol for in-home fireplaces, you’re ready to contact us to begin your fireplace project!
Fireplaces are a great investment; according to iBuyer.com, a fireplace can add up to $12,000 to your home value. Not only will fireplaces add value to your home, but they’ll completely transform your living space, bringing warmth and a magnificent centerpiece to the room!
Do Fireplaces Use A Lot of Energy?
Fireplace energy costs differ depending on what type of fireplace is used. According to Direct Energy, you can estimate the energy costs to run your gas or electric fireplace with a couple of formulas.
To compute energy costs for an electric fireplace: electric fireplaces typically use 1.5-2 kilowatts (approx. 1500 watts) per hour. Multiply 1.5 by your area’s average cost of kilowatt per hour (varies by state). For Indiana, the average cost per kilowatt is about $0.14/hour. To run your fireplace for 2 hours, it would approximately cost $0.42. Running the fireplace for 60 hours in a month would cost you approximately $12.60. Not bad!
Energy costs for gas fireplaces differ depending on if you have natural gas or use propane. To compute the energy cost, multiply the BTU of your fireplace by the cost per therm of your gas energy source.
For example, if you were to choose a 48,000 BTU gas fireplace and your natural gas rate is $1.12 per therm, multiply 48,000 by $1.12. Then divide by 100,000 BTU (there’s 100,000 BTUs in 1 therm). That would put you at $0.54 per hour.
*For propane gas: multiply the BTU of your fireplace by your price per gallon of propane. Then divide that total by 91,000 (there’s 91,000 BTUs in 1 gallon of propane). Generally, propane gas fueled fireplaces are more expensive than natural gas fueled fireplaces.
And lastly, wood fireplaces cost about… however many logs you want!
Annual maintenance on your fireplace ensures that your fireplace is working properly and is safe for in-home use. Keep in mind that if you choose to install a wood-burning fireplace, you’ll need to get your chimney swept annually to upkeep chimney maintenance.
What Type of Fireplace Should I Buy: Wood, Gas or Electric?
Choose your fireplace based on what fits your lifestyle. If you have access to wood supply and enjoy the smell and warmth of a roaring, crackling wood fire— a wood fireplace may be right for you. Not to mention the cost of running a wood fireplace is solely based on your access to wood and the yearly maintenance.
Gas fireplaces can be a tad more expensive to run, but homeowners love the ease of flicking on their fireplace and controlling how intense the fire is. Like wood fireplaces, gas fireplaces can output lots of heat for larger rooms in comparison to electric fireplaces. Gas fireplaces require less maintenance than wood fireplaces because less soot builds up.
Electric fireplaces are the cleanest fireplaces on the market, not to mention one of the easiest to install. Electric fireplaces are best fit for smaller rooms or for homeowners who are not looking for their fireplace to become a heat source, but more an aesthetic to the room.
If you currently own a fireplace that doesn’t necessarily fit your needs, Supreme can convert your fireplace to the type that best suits your needs and aesthetic.
Are Fireplaces Safe for Indoor Use?
For safe indoor usage, fireplaces should be routinely inspected to ensure the chimney flue is working properly by expelling the soot and smoke. If you have lung sensitivities or respiratory problems, choosing a cleaner burning fireplace (such as electric) may work better for you.
Glass or a mesh shield should be used in front of the fireplace to keep pets, children, or household items out of the fire and keep sparks and burning coals in the fire.
When burning wood in your fireplace, be mindful of the wood you choose to burn. Completely dry wood will produce less smoke than wet (green) wood. Hardwoods, like oak or hickory, will produce more heat than softwoods like cedar or pine. Remember to keep your fireplace tidy; remove excess ashes and make sure it is professionally cleaned.
Make sure you have a carbon monoxide detector properly installed and up-to-date. In case your fireplace does not work correctly, the carbon monoxide detector will be able to alert you of any danger.
Can a Fireplace Be Mounted on a Wall?
Gas and electric fireplaces can be placed on your home’s interior walls. Make sure to refer to the manufacturer specifications and installation instructions, because each fireplace can be different.
Fireplaces can be installed flush with the wall, so the edges of the fireplace are hidden within the wall or mounted directly on the surface of the wall. These fireplaces are well-insulated and have enough heat protection for this kind of mounting.
Ready to Install Your Dream Fireplace? Or Have Any Other Common Fireplace Questions?
Did we answer all of your common fireplace questions? Installing a wood-burning, gas, or electric fireplace can completely transform your space and give your room a cozier, warm and classic look.
