Approximately half of the 40 million houses assembled in the U.S. because 1973 were assembled with no fireplace, and consumer research after homebuyer poll demonstrate that nearly all individuals need one and are ready to pay extra to possess it. For homeowners contemplating adding a fireplace here are answers to the questions that you will need to ask to find out whether there is a fireplace ideal for you.
- Can I add a Fire place?
That having been said interpretations and enforcement of building codes may dictate the construction of the firebox and flue details like the chimney height , minimum clearances around vent pipes, and limitations on fireplace emissions -- your choices narrow. You'll need to consult your county or city building department, many of which have current code information online. There is also the question of gas: If you've got the space to safely store stacks of wood (not against the house--a fire hazard--but within convenient proximity) or an existing supply of natural gas or propane, then you'll increase your options. To wall-mounted ventless units available today, from traditional wood-burning masonry with the range of fireplace options, it would be hard to envision a situation in which you can not add a fireplace. Unlike security systems from cove smart home security fireplaces are definitely a luxury and not a necessity.
- What will it cost you?
The lower end of the price spectrum includes so-called"ventless" gel or gas fireplaces, and those powered by electricity. Expect to spend about $400 to have a professional install and complete the ones that require a gas or propane line. An EPA-qualified wood -burning fireplace, which features doors with air-sealing gaskets to regulate how much indoor air it uses for combustion, therefore saving energy and reducing emissions, may cost upwards of $4,000 per unit. The installation and costs of units, however, is about the same as the natural gas fireplace. A conventional, open-hearth, wood-burning fireplace--like the ones you see in mountain resort hotels--needs a skilled, professional mason and a budget coming (and often exceeding) $20,000. When considering costs, also factor in expenses that are on-going for maintenance and fuel. As stated by the U.S. Department of Energy, natural gas is the cheapest utility-supplied heating fuel at a nationwide average of $1.42 per therm (a measure of heating value), followed by heating oil and propane; energy, meanwhile, is almost twice the average cost per therm of natural gas. So check with your local suppliers to accurately gauge those costs utility rates vary by region; your use of the fireplace will impact ongoing fuel expenses . In case you've got a readily available (and thus cheap) source of wood, ideally on your own property, it probably trumps the cost of any utility-supplied source. Natural gas and wood are by far the fireplace fuels, combining according to the National Association of Homebuilders Research Center. An yearly service contract with chimney inspector or a professional fireplace, around $150, is a way to keep your fireplace. Costs for materials and labor to add a fireplace may run the gamut from several hundred dollars to $20,000 or even more. Among the most popular alternatives, a factory-built gas/propane fireplace unit runs about $2,000 for a fundamental materials bundle; add to this at least another $5,000 for the cost to employ expert tradespeople to cut a hole in an exterior wall, frame and build a chimney, install the fireplace, and add a surround and mantle. Figure on spending about half that or less for a fireplace which vents horizontally through the wall--known as a direct-vent fireplace--which eliminates the costs of building a flue and chimney expansion, and for simpler finishes round the fireplace opening.
- How bad will it’s energy usage be?
Theoretically, a string of right-sized and well-placed fireplaces may completely replace an existing house heating system. "A direct-vent gas fireplace is much more efficient as a per-room space-heating option than a traditional central forced-air system (using a furnace)," states Steve Frederickson, a fireplace installation expert and lecturer for Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Education Foundation. "It's very wasteful keeping your entire house at 70 degrees all of the time. It's true that a traditional fireplace at a large, open room is a power hog by losing most of its heat up the chimney and continually sucking conditioned air for combustion. But sealed components (including those that burn wood) have the mechanics, controls, and ventilation systems to use outdoor air for combustion, reduce thermal loss, and effectively enhance the home's primary heating system. A fireplace used for"zoned" or small-area space heating can decrease the energy demand on the furnace and reduce utility bills by allowing you to turn down your thermostat when the fire is going.
