How can I make my fireplace more efficient?

How do you maximize the heat output from a fireplace?

Use the Damper to Turn Up the Heat

Make sure to fully open the damper when starting the fire. When you have a great fire going, slightly close the damper to prevent excess heat from escaping. If the room still isn't warm enough, close the damper a little bit more. This will enhance your heating output.

How can I make my fireplace draft better?

What causes a fireplace not to draw?

A throat or smoke chamber that is too tight for the size firebox will create smoke draw issues. The throat front and back should fit well at the top of the firebox and not restrict the opening air space. If you have a throat damper, ensure it does not restrict the throat opening either.

Why is my house smoky when I use my fireplace?

A fireplace that kicks up smoke is a classic sign of a weak draft, which can result in a fire that quickly dies out or fire by-products “back-puffing”—getting backed up in the firebox or flue and issuing into the room as smoke and harmful vapors, including carbon monoxide.

How to improve wood-burning fireplace efficiency

Do fireplace blowers really work?

Well, let us reassure you that fireplace blowers do actually work, and they make a great contribution to any living space. They function by drawing in your home's air, then heating it in a specially-designed tube that is installed near your fireplace.

Does a fireplace actually heat a room?

Fireplaces won't be able to heat a room as well as a wood stove is able to, but you'll still feel warmth sitting nearer to an open fire. Wood burning fireplaces aren't known for their ability to generate large amounts of heat for a room.

Can fireplace heat whole house?

Absolutely! And many houses already have a fireplace. It's just a matter of using it to bring some much-desired warmth into your home. That said, unlike central air, no fireplace is going to be able to properly heat your entire home at once.

Are fireplace inserts more efficient?

A fireplace insert offers more efficient heating than a traditional wood-burning fireplace with less smoke and pollution going out the chimney, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

What is the purpose of glass doors on a fireplace?

Glass doors actually help your fire burn better. By enclosing the burning area, firewood is able to burn greater and produce more heat. The glass doors also absorb and radiate heat into the room better than a fireplace without doors.

Can I add a blower to my wood-burning fireplace?

Yes, you can add a fan/blower to most gas and wood fireplaces, inserts, and stoves. You will need to find a fireplace rated fan that will fit your fireplace and follow all instructions for installation in the unit's manual.

Do fireplaces make house colder?

The standard fireplace is among the most inefficient heating devices you can operate. In fact, it can be so inefficient that in some cases it actually makes your house colder.

Is it cheaper to run my heater or gas fireplace?

A modern furnace is more efficient in turning gas into heat than a gas fireplace. This means that although a furnace costs more to run per hour than a gas fireplace, it turns more of that energy into heat and can warm a whole house rather than a single room.

What type of fireplace gives the most heat?

In this regard, the gas fireplace clearly comes out on top.

Should I close the glass doors on my fireplace?

The doors should always be fully open or fully closed. Glass doors should be fully open when starting a fire and when the fire is burning strongly. The glass doors should be closed as the fire dies down to minimize the amount of room air going up the fireplace chimney.

Should you open a window when you have a fire in the fireplace?

Open a window when using the fireplace to prevent the room from becoming smoky. The air coming in from the window will go up the chimney. Before making a fire, open the glass doors, pull aside the screen curtains, and place the kindling, newspaper and logs inside.

Should fireplace damper be open all the way?

The fireplace damper should always be in the open position whenever you have a fire in the fireplace. Never close the damper or leave the fireplace unattended while there is a fire in the fireplace. This is not only a fire hazard, it can also cause deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.

Should I add a blower to my gas fireplace?

Gas fireplaces do not need a blower. Gas fireplaces can be used for hours without a blower as long as the gas fireplace is well vented. This is because a gas fireplace blower is an external unit. It is not an in-built part of the gas fireplace, so the gas fireplace can function without the blower.

How much does it cost to install a fireplace blower?

A professional fireplace service company charges about $400 to do the job (parts and labor). But you can replace the blower with a complete motor/fan blower assembly yourself in about an hour for less than $140. Many gas fireplaces use a blower to drive warm air out into the room.

How do I make my fireplace less smoky?

How often does chimney need to be cleaned?

HETAS encourage having your chimney swept at least twice a year when burning wood and at least once a year when burning smokeless fuels. The best times to have your chimney swept are just before the start of the heating season and after your stove has not been used over a prolonged period.

How do I stop wind blowing smoke down my chimney?

A chimney balloon and a flue blocker are two fast and easy solutions. A chimney balloon is placed inside the chimney and is then inflated. It gets rid of the noise, keeps the cold air out and the warm air inside. A flue blocker works in the same way, except it's easier to install than the chimney balloon.

How can heat loss be reduced through a chimney?