Fireplaces are a wonderful feature in any home, adding warmth, ambiance and a cozy atmosphere. But, did you know that — just like other appliances in your home — there are some fireplaces that are energy efficient and others that are not?
The term “energy efficiency” simply refers to eliminating energy waste. In other words, it means using less energy to perform a task — in this case, warming your home with a fireplace.
There are three factors for energy efficiency in fireplaces — the efficiency of energy, fuel and heat. In residential wood-burning fireplaces, efficiency is measured by the fireplace’s overall efficiency, which is a better measurement than combustion efficiency is.
The Environmental Protection Agency provides a database for wood stoves, listing overall efficiency numbers in plain sight. If this efficiency number isn’t clearly labeled on the packaging or the product, you can always contact the retailer or the manufacturer for more information.
Efficiency is key with fireplaces and chimneys, especially if you live in a cold climate such as Michigan. Below, we discuss all of this in further detail.
Comparing Fireplace Options for Cold Climates
When you’re shopping for fireplaces, you’ll have three main fuel options — traditional wood burning, gas and electric. Each type has its pros and cons, but which one is the most energy efficient for cold climates? Let’s take a look.
Traditional Wood-Burning Fireplaces
Traditional wood-burning fireplaces are beautiful. They provide the smell and sound that many people associate with fireplaces as well as the overall ambiance.
That being said, they are very inefficient. As much as 90% of the fuel that’s expelled from these fireplaces goes through the chimney.
At the same time, it’s hard to argue about the charm they add to a living space. Wood fireplaces do also require some maintenance, and they do produce soot. Wood is an affordable and abundant fuel source, though.
Gas Fireplaces
Gas fireplaces are becoming increasingly popular today. Ventless options are extremely energy efficient and actually eco-friendly, as they emit 100% of their heat.
If you’re looking for a more realistic fireplace experience, direct vent gas fireplaces can give you that, while also retaining about five times more heat than a traditional wood-burning fireplace.
Another option in this product line are B-vent gas fireplaces. These traditional-looking fireplaces open from the front and are easily controllable with a dial.
Electric Fireplaces
If you don’t have gas in your home, in the area where you want to put the fireplace or if you don’t want to mess with gas, then you can always opt for an electric fireplace.
A big advantage of these fireplaces is that you can put them anywhere in your home, as long as you have an electrical outlet. They also provide 100% heating efficiency with close to no maintenance at all.
While electric fireplaces heat a room nicely, they can be much more expensive than gas or wood-burning fireplaces to operate.
Optimizing Your Wood-Burning Fireplace for Maximum Efficiency
If you prefer a wood-burning fireplace, there are some things that you can do to improve its efficiency. While these fireplaces may never be as efficient as their gas and electric counterparts, you can improve their efficiency by following a few steps.
First, make sure that you only burn hardwoods. These types of woods, including cherry, maple, walnut and oak, burn a lot longer than softwoods do. It’s also important to ensure that the moisture content of the wood you’re burning is between 15% and 20%, which will allow you to have a longer burn.
You can create better combustion by adding more air to your fire. Oxygen is the primary fuel for a wood-burning fire and, as such, is necessary if you want a good burn.
One way that you can increase the airflow is to install a fresh air intake near your fireplace. This provides a convenient way that you can bring fresh air into the home to feed the fire.
You can also install circulating, room-to-room fans to help push air around your house. This, in turn, increases the efficiency of your wood-burning fireplace, allowing it to produce more heat in the process.
And if you want your fireplace to expel more heat into the room, there are fans that can be installed into walls to push the heat from the fireplace out.
Upgrading Your Home Responsibly with Energy-Efficient Fireplaces
If your home doesn’t already have a fireplace, you should consider energy efficiency when shopping for one.
Depending on where you live, the quality of your home as a whole and the local market, you could increase your home’s value. In fact, Redfin reported that in 2021, homes that had a fireplace listed for 13% more than the median sales price for the country, and ended up selling for 99.9% of that asking price.
When choosing a fireplace, consider the current challenges that fuel industries are facing, as well as the imminent and increasing threat of global warming. The more energy efficient your fireplace can be, the better it will be for you, potential future buyers and the world as a whole.
It’s also important to consider the fire emissions that are created during the combustion process. Depending on the type of fireplace you choose, there could be harmful byproducts that are released into the atmosphere, which can harm the environment and human health as well.
And, just like emissions from a fireplace can cause humans to wheeze, cough and even have asthma attacks, they can affect pets in a similar way.
No matter what type of fireplace you purchase, it’s important to do regular maintenance to ensure safety and efficiency. The chimney flue is a key cog in the overall structure of your chimney, as it provides a way for toxic gasses, smoke and other byproducts of combustion to exit your home safely.
For the flue to operate efficiently and properly, it must be maintained regularly, including cleaning any buildup of creosote that may have formed. Of course, this maintenance may not be necessary, depending on the type of fireplace you have.
Choosing the Most Energy-Efficient Fireplace Solution
Fireplaces can be showpieces of homes, but they’re much more than that. Especially in colder climates, fireplaces can provide the extra heat you need to stay warm, without having to spend excessive amounts of money — and expel excessive amounts of heat — in parts of your home you aren’t using.
While wood-burning fireplaces are the traditional choice, consider alternative options such as electric or ventless gas fireplaces. These options are a more efficient source of heating your home, and some that are EPA certified are also environmentally friendly.
Efficiency should be a key factor when you’re choosing a type of fireplace, and based on this factor alone, gas fireplaces are the best choice. They’re the most energy-efficient option, easily beating out wood-burning and pellet fireplaces in this regard.
If you already have a wood-burning fireplace at your home, you could consider upgrading it to a gas fireplace insert. This would provide you with more heat and fuel efficiency than your traditional wood-burning fireplace, with the same classic look and feel.
