Publication date: 10/16/2009

Click here for a printer-friendly version

Upgrade that old, inefficient fireplace

As the weather turns colder, many people have already begun to use their fireplace to add a little warmth to the home. However, if you have an older wood-burning fireplace, or even one that was converted to gas logs many years ago, it is probably drafty and inefficient compared with many of the newer, more energy efficient solutions on the market.

One way to improve your old fireplace is with a direct vent gas fireplace insert. These inserts come in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit most existing fireplaces, vent directly through the wall and are highly energy efficient.

According to Peter Pone, Jr. of Evergreen Home and Garden Center, (586) 778-7400, www.evergreenhomeandgarden.com, whether you want a wood burning insert or a gas insert, it is almost like having an extra furnace in your home.

"Some wood burning fireplace inserts have the potential to provide heat for up to 3,000 square feet, while most gas inserts can handle up to a 1,500 square foot area," Pone said. And while Pone said the cost of an insert ranges from $1,700 to $3,000, it can be a wise long-term investment when you factor in the added energy efficiency along with the ability to lower the home's thermostat.

If you're looking at only the numbers and cold hard statistics for convenience and low maintenance, then a gas direct-vent fireplace insert is probably the best way to go. However, most of us use our senses like sight, smell, and sound. That being said, many people still enjoy having a real wood-burning fireplace.

"Wood is fairly inexpensive, but in suburban areas like ours, you see more people going to gas inserts because of the convenience and because wood isn't as plentiful as it is in rural areas," Pone said. "However, you do see people with cottages up north who bring home enough wood for the winter to use in their wood inserts, and that is really cost effective."

Pone said that another advantage of buying a wood or pellet fireplace insert is that it may qualify for up to a $300 federal tax credit. For more information visit www.energystar.gov/taxcredits.

In addition to converting to a gas or wood-burning insert, many inserts also have the capacity to burn wood pellets, which are made from wood waste like sawdust and have lower emissions than cord wood, making pellets more environmentally friendly. However, wood pellets are not as readily available as cord wood and usually more expensive, so be sure to take that into consideration before deciding on a pellet-burning fireplace insert.

When it comes to comparing energy efficiency ratings of fireplace inserts, there are two methods used. One is an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating, which takes into account all of the energy used as the appliance cycles on and off, and gets up to a target temperature. Another efficiency measure is the steady state efficiency rating, which rates efficiency while maintaining a constant temperature. So when comparing efficiency ratings, make sure you are comparing apples to apples when looking at different models.

Pone said Evergreen stocks a variety of fireplace insert options from companies like Lennox, www.lennoxhearthproducts.com, Regency, www.regency-fire.com, and Vermont Castings, www.vermontcastings.com. You can also find fireplace inserts from Fuego Flame Fireplaces, www.fuegoflame.com; Heatilator, www.heatilator.com; or Heat & Glo, www.heatnglo.com.

"We see a lot more people buying electric fireplace units for their bedrooms, sun porches or basements, especially in rooms where they can't run a gas line," Pone said. "These electric fireplace units can heat a 300 or 400 square foot room very easily."

While adding a gas or wood burning insert into your current fireplace can make it more useful and energy efficient, today's technologies also make it possible to turn your three-season porch into a year-round room with either a direct vent gas or wood-burning unit or unvented electric unit.

Pone said Dimplex, 800-668-6663, www.dimplex.com is a popular electric fireplace unit and often these units are 99.9 percent energy efficient.

Wow! There sure are a variety of fireplace options. You don't need to settle for just one design anymore. Then make the best decision for you and your family. That's when you can brag about the results.

Note: This article was accurate at the date of publication. However, information contained in it may have changed. If you plan to use the information contained herein for any purpose, verification of its continued accuracy is your responsibility.

20 most recent Handyman Columns