Fireplace vs Fireplace Insert

Let’s face it, there is no better ambiance than a woodburning fireplace. Hands down, the glow and crackle you get with wood burning in the fireplace cannot be beat. The room with the fireplace is the room where everyone meets. A place for celebrations and holidays. A place to relax and enjoy a morning coffee or an evening glass of wine. A cozy blanket and a good book. Do you get the picture? But there are options.

A fireplace that has been in the home for many years may need an update. Maybe it is not working as efficiently as you would like. More warm air escaping up the chimney rather than keeping the home warm.

There are pros and cons of both a fireplace and a fireplace insert. We just talked about the many pros of a fireplace. Let us talk about the cons.

Fireplace Cons

• Loss of heat. Not very efficient for heating the home. Wood-burning fireplaces can lose up to 85% of fire heat through the chimney.
• Regular maintenance is important. An annual chimney sweep and inspection are essential for good maintenance.
• A brick-and-mortar fireplace takes a lot of heat. Bricks and mortar can break down over time requiring replacement or restoration.

Fireplace Insert Pros

• It is a great upgrade from an old drab fireplace.
• Excellent source of secondary heat. Radiates heat more efficiently as it is an enclosed unit.
• Repairs are minimal
• There are many styles to choose from if you are looking for an upgrade.
• Option to add a gas insert instead of wood burning.
• The insert is intact and thus safer from flying sparks and embers.

Fireplace Insert Cons

• The look of an insert may take away from the traditional look of a brick-and-mortar fireplace.
• Inserts can be costly including the installation. However, the cost savings in your heating bill will offset the cost. Also, the cost to repair or restore a brick-and-mortar fireplace can be very costly. Using an insert will reduce restoration needs.
• There you have it. The choices are many. Contact Felgemacher for more information on fireplace inserts. We have the experience and the professionals to guide you through the buying experience. Our technicians will help you decide what will be best for you and your family.

A clean chimney is a safe chimney, and we’ll keep yours as safe and efficient as it can be. Our owners are certified through the Chimney Safety Institute of America – a stringent industry certification held by only the best sweeps in the U.S. We remove flammable creosote from chimney flues, reducing the chance of a chimney fire. We also remove debris and obstructions that could hamper the drafting of smoke and carbon monoxide.

We’ve been helping folks throughout the Buffalo NY and Rochester NY areas get the most out of their fireplace inserts, stoves, and chimneys for more than 60 years. When specialized chimney service is required, count on us for the best in chimney sweep, chimney repair, chimney rebuilding, and chimney inspection.