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Fireplaces are a quintessential feature of an American home, right? Well, not always. Unfortunately, only around 41% of new homes in the US have fireplaces, which is an odd trend when you think about it.
Why wouldn’t someone want a fireplace in their new home, especially when this simple addition adds so much? Let’s talk about the benefits of adding a winter fireplace to your home this year!
1. Reliable Heating Source
First, let’s discuss the elephant in the, well, country. More and more, we’re seeing winter storms causing power outages, and major news outlets are warning that this will only get worse.
As we saw in Texas last year, a brutal storm killed over 700 people, primarily due to a lack of heat. If you rely on your energy grid for a heating source, then you are vulnerable to winter storms, especially if you have pets or small children.
While some fireplaces are not meant to be a primary heating source, they can certainly act as a backup, which can save your life in an emergency. This will help you reach greater energy independence over time. You can’t be too prepared.
2. Saving Money on Heat
Fireplaces and wood stoves that are designed to heat your home can save you a lot of money on your heating bill, especially if you use electric resistance or oil heat. Electric resistance heat is up to three times the cost of wood heat, and the cost of fossil fuel heat sources fluctuates heavily.
Conversely, two cords of firewood will only cost around $400 to $600 and are typically enough to last for an entire winter. Depending on the size of your home, this could dramatically reduce or even eliminate your heating bill. For example, if you currently pay $2,000 a year to heat your home, spending $500 on wood before the winter could easily save you $1,000 or more.
3. Creating a Cozy Atmosphere
Is there any better way to spend a snow day than sitting by the fireplace with a nice book or movie? A fireplace adds so much to the comfort of a room, and they are a great way to impress guests! For anybody who grew up with a wood stove or fireplace in their home, there is nothing more nostalgic than the smell of burning wood during the winter.
4. Custom Fits
Your house could use a fireplace, regardless of its design or aesthetic. Any home’s interior could benefit from the right type of fireplace, whether you have a rustic cabin or a modern mansion. There are even commercial fireplaces for businesses to display!
Moreover, you can even enjoy a fireplace with different energy sources, as there are different types of fireplaces, including gas and electric, as well as wood-powered ones. No matter your home’s existing fixtures or your preferences, there is a fireplace design for you. You can even customize your fireplace if you don’t find one you like!
5. Indoor Cooking
Have you ever wanted some s’mores or some other campfire food, but you were stuck indoors? Whether it’s a sunny, summer day or a brutal winter storm, you can easily cook over a fire indoors with an indoor fireplace! This is a great enrichment tool for children (as well as adults), and a great way to teach fireplace safety for children and pets.
6. Environmentally Friendly
Wood heat is one of the best environmental decisions you can choose, as it emits the least CO2 relative to other fuels. Heat pumps are quite expensive to buy upfront, but a wood stove or fireplace can help offset the emissions from oil or gas heat or even the emissions from your electric grid. Even an electric fireplace will still save on emissions!
This is a benefit for you, your community, and all of the other inhabitants of our planet. The more we can do to limit our greenhouse gas emissions, the better.
7. Adding Value to Your Home
A new fireplace can add anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 of value to your home, so it certainly won’t hurt to install one! This means you can enjoy the benefits of the fireplace while living at home while still earning some of your money back if you choose to resell! It’s a win-win!
8. No Sacrifices
Assuming you already have a carbon monoxide detector in your home (which everyone should), there are no sacrifices to having a fireplace in the home, whether it’s with wood, electricity, or gas. Even if you switch to wood, you’ll save money and have an excuse to get outside.
There are plenty of fireplaces design ideas to choose from, and they can use whatever fuel source you already have, or you can adopt a new one if you prefer!
If you already have gas hookups or electricity in your home, then there’s nothing to worry about. Your fireplace can generate heat just like any other heater while providing a cozy atmosphere and a great aesthetic. It really is that simple!
Enjoy Your Winter Fireplace Today
Now that you know some of the key benefits of a fireplace, you can see why a winter fireplace should be your top priority for your home. We all need heat security, we all want energy independence, and we all want to feel cozy throughout the winter. A fireplace is the best way to make that happen!
Stay up to date with our latest tips for homeowners, and don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or for help finding the right cozy fireplace for your home!
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