Tips to prepare for a home with a fireplace

When you think of cold nights you often think of how nice it would be to snuggle up in front of a fireplace with a soft blanket, pillow, and a book or watching your favorite movie. If you don’t currently have a fireplace installed in your home, and you’re thinking of installing one, or you’re looking at buying a home that’s currently for sale with a fireplace – you may have some pending questions that we will clear up for you.

Is a fireplace efficient to have in my home?

Depending on the type of fireplace you use in your home, gas or wood burning, will help you know if this is an efficient upgrade to add to your home or if you should purchase a new home for sale with one included.

Wood burning: Wood burning fireplaces are not efficient. They waste a lot of heat as heat rises upwards and escapes through the chimney.

Gas burning: Gas burning fireplaces are known to be more efficient than a wood burning one. Today, there are more gas burning fireplaces with aesthetically pleasing charm and when paired with a built-in frame or added with tile or marble finishes, they are pleasing to the eye and can increase the value of your home should you list the home for sale.

How often does a chimney need to be cleaned?

If you have a chimney in your home attached to your fireplace you may notice a buildup of soot and debris. The buildup can reduce airflow and cause a backlog of smoke in the home — a huge fire risk.

To clean your chimney, put a mask on your face so you don’t breathe in toxins and dust. Next, you’ll want to sweep the ashes out of the chimney and into a garbage bag. Last, scrub the surface of your chimney with dishwashing soap and warm water while using a brush.

If you actively use your chimney, be sure to have it maintenance once a year by a licensed professional.