6 Necessary Questions to Ask Before Installing a Fireplace

A cozy evening. Crackling logs. A place to keep you warm with plenty of light for a book.

Installing a fireplace is a great way to add character and comfort to your home. There’s not a soul in the world who doesn’t romanticize an evening spent around the fire. But like all things in life, there are some upsides and downsides to even this classic home addition.

A fireplace for houses benefits the residents and could improve the home’s value. But it comes with caveats that you need to consider before committing to fireplace installers.

Join us for fireplace FAQs as we discuss the 6 necessary questions to ask before installing a fireplace.

1. How Authentic Do You Want Your Experience to Be?

Modern types of fireplaces allow you to turn your fireplace on and off with a switch. They pull in air from the outside and vent all resultant gasses outside. This gives you a clean, comfortable, convenient fireplace for your home.

However, you might want a bit more interaction. You might like the idea of splitting logs and starting the fire yourself. While this will result in ashes that you need to clean up, you’ll get the real deal.

It’s up to you whether you want a fireplace that’s convenient or authentic. But know ahead of time that you’ll have to commit to whichever you choose. You might find that a real fireplace is fun the first few times, but turns into more of a hassle as the months go by.

2. What’s Your Budget for Installing a Fireplace?

There are many types of fireplaces, giving you a wide variety of options when it comes to choosing. That means you can get a high-end fireplace that gives you all you need, or one that’s more economical. 

Of course, there are tradeoffs, and cheap may end up being more expensive. An economic fireplace may cost you more in energy usage over its lifetime. But if you don’t use it as often, that may end up being the right choice.

Further, the installation cost is something to factor in. You’ll need to consider if this is really worth the money–and the value it adds to your home. A bigger, better fireplace might be worth it in the end.

3. Are You Looking for Energy Savings?

A fireplace for houses also introduces new energy needs for your home. Fortunately, fireplaces can work with any situation you have. There are gas, electric, and wood-burning fireplaces.

Gas electric fireplaces work well, require minimal maintenance, and on the whole, will cost you less to run. However, these fireplaces introduce a green energy concern by burning natural gas. Plus, they tend to be more expensive to install and maintain if they require repairs.

Electric tends to be easier to install while still having realistic flames and good heat control. Installation is cheaper, and they’re still incredibly low maintenance. Electric fireplaces, generally speaking, will be more expensive to run.

4. Does the Fireplace Fit Your Home’s Aesthetic?

Installing a fireplace is a huge step, so it only makes sense that you calculate how this will affect the home overall. Any house would look great with a fireplace. Question is, does the one you have in mind fit your home?

An older home might benefit from the character of a wood-burning or gas-burning fireplace. But something that’s more upmarket and trendy would require a stylish electric fireplace.

Choose a fireplace that matches the decor, too. Take your time with this step! Get an opinion or two from friends and family about which fireplace looks best.

5. How Much Heat Do You Need?

A fireplace isn’t just a set piece, it helps to heat your home, too. But if you’re more focused on the set piece aspect than the heating, you may not be as concerned.

Make sure you get a fireplace that can produce the heat you need. Importantly, consider how your fireplace will contribute to heating in addition to your existing heating system. A fireplace can save a considerable chunk on of your energy bills when used properly.

Just as above, consider how long you intend to run your fireplace on a daily basis. Consider the long-term energy costs if you plan to use it that often.

6. Are You Concerned About the Environment?

If climate change worries you, but you still want a fireplace, there are options for you. Modern fireplaces, as mentioned, can be energy-efficient and produce minimal harm to the environment.

If you want to protect the planet, then the obvious choice is to avoid wood-burning and natural gas. Electric is a great option for climate enthusiasts. However, keep in mind that this may be more expensive in the end.

That said, it’s important to know that coal-burning electricity may power your fireplace. Unless your local grid has good green energy options, you may want to go for a gas fireplace anyway. 

Find the Right Fireplace for You

Installing a fireplace isn’t just a way to raise a home’s property value. It’s a symbol of heating and comfort that will add a lot of character and convenience to your living room. That said, you should keep the above six questions in mind before committing to any sort of purchase.

Now that we’ve answered your fireplace questions, it’s time to take a look at your options. Fireplace installers are waiting eagerly to realize your dreams of installing a fireplace. Contact Dreifuss Fireplaces to get a look at your options.