Reasons to Install A Fireplace

Homeowners are spending more on home improvement projects than ever before. According to HomeAdvisor’s State of Home Spending report, homeowners spent an average of $13,138 on improving their homes in 2020. Homeowners who are tired of the rising energy costs associated with a central heating system may want to consider the benefits of installing an energy-efficient fireplace. Oil and electric furnaces are becoming increasingly costly to operate for home heating, especially if they are more than ten years old.

Wood and gas zero clearance fireplaces and inserts have the look and feel of a traditional masonry fireplace without the high price tag or pollution. They are also easier to install and maintain. An energy-efficient wood-burning or gas fireplace can also be installed on each level of your home or in every room and used as zone heating, so you don’t waste money and energy heating the entire house.

Lower Heating Costs

With the cost of oil, gas, and electricity continuing to increase, many homeowners consider installing a fireplace to lower heating costs. According to Washington Gas, the average homeowner in Maryland spends $1,077 to 2,179 annually on heating costs, depending on whether the furnace is oil, propane, or electric. Unlike traditional masonry fireplaces that lose approximately 85% of the heat through the chimney, modern energy-efficient zero-clearance wood-burning fireplaces have the opposite effect. They distribute over 75% of the heat they generate throughout the room saving homeowners hundreds of dollars annually on home heating costs. Energy-efficient fireplaces also burn cleaner without the emissions typical of a traditional wood-burning fireplace.

Ambiance

Fireplaces are an elegant addition to any home. They are available in a wide array of styles and features, including stylish custom brick, stone, or tile surrounds that will create the warm and cozy living space you desire. Also, zero-clearance wood or gas fireplaces are self-insulated. They can be safely installed in practically any room or location in the home like the kitchen, bedrooms, and den, giving each room an individual heating unit with a unique personality.

Increases Home Value

Most prospective home buyers not only find fireplaces a desirable feature, but many are also willing to pay more for a home with a fireplace. A 2019 study by the National Association of Home Builders found that home buyers found gas and wood-burning fireplaces a desirable feature. Also, 16% stated they were unlikely to buy a home without a fireplace. According to the National Association of Real Estate Appraisers, a fireplace can increase a home’s resale value by 6% to 12%.

Eco-Friendly Heating

Wood is arguably the most eco-friendly and sustainable fuel source. The emissions from a wood-burning fireplace are equivalent to the carbon emitted when trees mature, die, and decompose in the forest, making it a carbon-neutral energy source.