Homeowners
have many options for gas or wood-burning fireplaces, but the choices can be
somewhat confusing if all the facts aren’t readily available. The internet can
be a good source for research, but there are a lot of sites that don’t provide
accurate or thorough information so making a choice can be difficult. The
following should help to assist homeowners in making the important decision
about what type of fireplace to install in their home.
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| Open masonry fireplace Courtesy clipart.com |
Cons about chimneys: Masonry chimneys need regular maintenance, like any other appliance in the home. A professional chimney sweep should inspect the chimney and flues annually and sweep as necessary to remove flammable creosote. All gas and wood-burning flues serving furnaces, water heaters, and fireplaces have annual wear and tear. The inspector will check for clogs, gaps, cracks, and correct sizing to be sure there is no Carbon Monoxide leakage or backup.
If the mason
did not use the correct mortar between the tile flue liner sections, it will
eventually wash out and need to be replaced. This can be expensive, and is
unfortunately very common.
If soft
bricks are used rather than hard bricks, the chimney will deteriorate over a
short period of time, spall, and eventually need to be rebuilt.
Pros about chimneys: Masonry chimneys and fireplaces are very
long-lasting, beautiful, and with the right choice of brick or stone and design
of the structure, complement the home’s exterior and interior. The home builder
should take a cue from the neighborhood and can’t go wrong with the choice of a
masonry chimney if other nearby chimneys are also masonry.
Cons about fireplaces: If the fireplace is constructed in a standard squared box-style as most masons are used to building, the fireplace will be 0% efficient. Most of the heat will go up the chimney and only the area in front of the fireplace will feel warm. The fireplace takes a lot of combustion air from the house, making rooms further away feeling cold. The longer the fireplace is used, the colder the house will get.
Gas logs may
be installed in a masonry fireplace, however, high-efficiency non-venting gas
logs often have issues that prevent us from recommending them at all.
Non-venting gas logs create moisture and sometimes mold, often create a bad
odor that won’t go away, and must be installed in a fully functioning masonry
fireplace and chimney. They are not a cure for a damaged chimney. Standard gas
logs are also 0% efficient and require a clip on the damper to keep it open a
bit so Carbon Monoxide will not overcome the occupants if the damper is
accidentally left closed. With the clip, warmed house air escapes through the
flue during winter.
Pros about fireplaces: If the fireplace is constructed in a Rumford style, with angled sidewalls, shallow depth to specifications, smooth curved throat and smaller flue, the fireplace will be about 40% efficient. The warmth generated is quite noticeable compared to a standard fireplace design. Only a few masons know how to properly build Rumford fireplaces so homework will be necessary to find the right mason.
High-efficiency
gas or wood-burning fireplace inserts may be installed in a masonry fireplace. These
units are very popular and will increase fireplace efficiency by 75%. There are
different levels of quality, so choose a reputable brand rather than a cheap
model that won’t perform well or last long.
Manufactured Chimneys and Fireplaces:
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| Direct vent gas fireplace Courtesy of HearthMasters, Inc. |
High-efficiency
wood-burning fireplace inserts should never be installed in a manufactured
fireplace. To do so is against code.
Pros: Manufactured gas and wood-burning fireplaces are less expensive than masonry and can be installed quickly. If a high-efficiency model is chosen it will provide heat. Efficient models are closed systems and must be operated with the door closed, but a large viewing area is provided. A Class-A stainless steel chimney must be used with efficient fireplaces which raises the price, but the trade-off is lower energy bills and a warmer home.
Direct-vent Gas Fireplaces:
Cons: Not for the person who enjoys a real
crackling fire. Gas line must be installed.
Pros: Direct-vent gas fireplaces do not require a chimney – just a vent through the wall. Today’s DV fireplaces come in many styles to fit any décor from traditional to modern. These units are very efficient and produce heat – and will work even if the power goes out.
Masonry Heaters:
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| Soapstone masonry heater from Finland Courtesy of HearthMasters, Inc. |
Pros: Masonry heaters are the most efficient type of wood-burning heater available. While they look like a regular fireplace with a door, they are far from it. The appliance is site-built out of masonry with channels that trap heat and radiate it to the home. No gas, electricity, fans, or ductwork are needed to distribute heat.
Green home
builders like masonry heaters because they use the renewable resource of wood
and use less wood to produce heat than high-efficiency wood-burning stoves.
The chimney
may be brick or Class A, depending on the look desired. A masonry heater
requires little maintenance and produces only fly ash rather than creosote. An
inspection and cleaning should be completed every three years by a professional
heater mason/chimney sweep.
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By Marge Padgitt
President, Midwest Chimney Safety Council
President, HearthMasters, Inc.
Independence, MO
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