Why an Eco-Friendly Fireplace Makes Sense for Your Home

Guest Post

Snuggling up with the entire family around the fireplace can make for timeless memories. There are few things better on a cold winter day.

But is your fireplace energy efficient? Many homes have a typical masonry model that is not very eco-friendly. Consider this: in the 19^th century, 50 degrees was considered the target temperature for the interior of a home for wood-burning fireplaces, so as a result, they simply aren’t as efficient as modern families have come to expect.

You could be making a bigger environmental impact than you realize, releasing pollution and also wasting money “heating” the exterior of your home. Some older chimneys may even pose a safety risk to your family.

So what options are available besides the standard fireplace? You have many choices that can be built into your family’s existing hearth or are actually freestanding.

Decorative Options

If your area has mild winters, you may use your fireplace more for the look than warmth. If that’s the case, you can opt for something that’s a little more style than function. These appliances and fireplace options will allow you to cuddle up near the flames with less of an impact on your environment (and your wallet).

Bio-ethanol Fireplace – This appliance uses a biofuel called ethyl alcohol. It’s made from agricultural products, such as corn. It’s a great alternative to natural gas, and they tend to be used in urban areas and have contemporary designs. Since they don’t need to be vented, you can place them anywhere.

Gas Logs – Yes, gas logs burn fossil fuels (usually natural gas or liquid propane), but the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that they have low emissions. You can learn more on the agency’s Burn Wise website. They can be burned in both vented and ventless fireplaces. However, ventless logs don’t provide that roaring flames effect. Also important to consider: liquid propane is more efficient, burning three times as hot, but it also has more carbon and costs more than natural gas.

Fire Logs – You can find ones made from renewable sources, like sawdust and wax. Also, some like the Duraflame report that they produce less carbon than firewood or gas logs as a result.

Efficient Heating Source

Is just a little heat from those flames not enough? In areas with harsh winters and low temperatures, you need your fireplace to be a heat source that can even help keep your gas bill down. These eco-friendly systems tend to cost more upfront, but are a worthwhile investment in the long-term.

Pellet Stoves – Forget the log, and go for pellets instead. You’ll still get the fragrant aroma of burning wood, but you are giving up the look of the burning log. Instead, you’ll be loading your stove up with pellets that look a little like pet food. They’re made of bark, compressed sawdust, wood chips, agricultural waste and other organic materials. The result is a more efficient heat source with higher combustion than standard wood fireplaces or stoves. They are the cleanest sold fuel-burning heat appliance for homes, releasing very little air pollution. With an automated feed system, just one load of pellets can last for a full twenty-four hours.

Gas Stoves – Similar to gas logs, gas stoves burn natural gas or liquid propane. The big difference is that they are self-contained units, not used within existing fireplaces. While they produce little air pollution, they still need to be vented through a chimney or just the wall. Vent-free models are not recommended because of indoor air quality concerns. Two great benefits are that they don’t require much maintenance and the fuel is inexpensive.

Fireplace Insert – If you have an existing fireplace, an insert is an economical option. It blocks off the draft from your current fireplace and contains the heat within the firebox, making it a more efficient heating source for your home. You can find options for both wood burning and pellet burning fireplaces. You’re investing a little now to make it more efficient over the long term, which can help you to rely less on your heating system. Just be sure to have it installed by a certified professional installer to ensure it’s done correctly and safely.