How efficient is an open fireplace for heating in winter?
The only correct answer on this page comes from IrvS. It is true that an open fireplace is very inefficient. As a matter of fact it is so inefficient the US Department of Energy states that a home utilizing an open fireplace will actually cost a homeowner 10% more per month to heat the home than if they do not use the fireplace. The reason is that when you burn gas or wood in an open fireplace you create a unhindered stream of hot air rising out of your fireplace chimney. This is referred to as the "stack effect". This is not only the hot air that is being produced by the fireplace fire, but also heated air in your home that your poor furnace worked darn hard to heat. If you want to actually heat a room or home with a fireplace you have to have a direct vent gas or wood burning insert to actually create usable heat. If you dont want to do that, then at least plug your fireplace with a chimney balloon to keep it from loosing heat while dormant and just burn candles in it for ambiance.it will keep your house warm i have one but it should not be your only source of heat.i also have oil.basically when i have my fireplace on my thermostat for my oil does not kick on at all when i have my fireplace running so if you plan on keeping wood in there and keeping up with it and don;t let it die down it can save you some money. by donna d
Fireplace is good for the room that you are in. However, unlike a furnace there is no fan which will circulate the heat throughout the rest of your home. by Jaywood
I can be very efficient depending on the size of your home. Make sure the chimney is cleaned before you use it every year by Tammy D
Not very - the heat generated mostly goes up the flue, sucking warmer air in the home right up the chimney with it. Better to get an insert of some sort that uses radiant heat & has a fan that circulates the air into the house. This will also control the amount of air (the draft or draw) from the home that is being pulled into the chimney by the fire, creating a more efficient fireplace. by taximomuv3
I agree that it is good for the room that you are in. However if you are looking to heat your home with something other than gas, Look into a Wood Stove, If you buy a cord of wood it will last you all winter, You load it in the morning and stoke it through the day once or twice, but all in all it REALLY keeps your house warm. by Bones
Very inefficient. Too much of the heat must escape up the flue to ensure proper draft. Even with heat exchanger side boxes, you waste a lot of the fuel you burn, and unless it's a one room cottage, the other rooms get little heat. by Irv S
The only correct answer on this page comes from IrvS. It is true that an open fireplace is very inefficient. As a matter of fact it is so inefficient the US Department of Energy states that a home utilizing an open fireplace will actually cost a homeowner 10% more per month to heat the home than if they do not use the fireplace. The reason is that when you burn gas or wood in an open fireplace you create a unhindered stream of hot air rising out of your fireplace chimney. This is referred to as the "stack effect". This is not only the hot air that is being produced by the fireplace fire, but also heated air in your home that your poor furnace worked darn hard to heat. If you want to actually heat a room or home with a fireplace you have to have a direct vent gas or wood burning insert to actually create usable heat. If you dont want to do that, then at least plug your fireplace with a chimney balloon to keep it from loosing heat while dormant and just burn candles in it for ambiance. by Jason R
