Fireplace Issues

Fireplaces are in demand in most markets today.  They are what the real estate people call a seller. Unfortunately, while most people enjoy the sounds and smells of a log popping over an open flame, a fireplace is quite impractical as far as a tool for heating your house goes.  The truth is that fire consumes a great amount of air and a fireplace can actually make a room colder rather than warmer. How does this happen?  It's really not such a mystery when you stop to think about it.

The air that a fire consumes needs to come from somewhere.  It comes in through cracks and seams in the home and through the chimney.  So, while your fireplace is roaring, the fire is actually pulling in large amounts of cold air.  This cold air goes straight to the fire and actually helps to make the room colder.  Therefore, while you are warmed by the radiate heat from the fire, the rest of your house is getting colder.  This becomes an especially important issue when you need to turn on another heat source after the fire is out and you are ready to go to bed.

However, if you are intent on using your fireplace there are several things that you can do to help reduce this problem.  Adding a wood burning stove insert will almost solve the problem immediately.  As well, putting a glass screen in front of the fireplace to control this damaging airflow will help the situation as well.  You can also close your damper partially, but this approach could backfire and send smoke billowing through your home.

At any rate, if you get the chance to inspect a home with a fireplace and you are thinking that you might want to buy it, you should give the seller high marks for efficiency if they have a glass screen, or any of the other remedies mentioned. One of the most important features of any fireplace is the damper and it is in your best interest to make sure this feature is in good working order.

All dampers are located on the inside of the chimney, and they are usually made of metal and can be closed completely.  The damper operates by a handle and you should be careful to wear old clothes when inspecting one and perhaps goggles as well. You'll need to climb right inside the fireplace, open the damper, and look up.  If the chimney has a straight flue, you’ll be able to see daylight at the top. You'll also want to operate the damper handle and make sure that it moves to both the open and close positions effortlessly.  You should be able to see the damper open and close when you work the handle.  If the handle doesn't work properly it's not necessarily broken.  Some people don't use them regularly so that damper might just be stuck in one position or the other.