The sound, smell and warmth of a crackling fire add ambience and a traditional welcoming feel to a home. Fireplaces and wood-burning stoves can also help reduce heating costs by lessening your dependence on more expensive fuels.
Attractive as they are, wood-burning fireplaces actually suck heat out of the home through the chimney, as well as releasing emissions into the environment. If you have an old wood-burning fireplace, consider putting in a insert or replacing the current one with a newer, high-efficiency model. No matter what type of fireplace you have, it is a potential hazard, so make sure you observe the appropriate safety regulations. Also you need to be sure you are not breaking clean air regulations. A woodstove may have to comply with emission standards. If you are unsure, check with your local authority.
A GAS FIRE WARMS UP A ROOM without producing ASH.
A built-in fireplace can be a source of cozy warmth, but you will need to take into account certain factors to keep it safe.
• Use a fireplace screen to keep sparks from flying.
• Clean the fireplace out after each use and regularly check and clean the chimney.
• Make sure you have the right fireplace tools but keep them out of reach of children: Bellows, pokers and tongs aid in stoking the fire. A small shovel is useful for removing ash.
The contemporary variants of the open fireplace are woodstoves and fireplace inserts. In both cases, the fire burns in a closed chamber and is visible through a glass panel. You get all the appeal of a wood fire with none of the hassle, smell or soot. Here are a few things to consider.
• Install a wood-burning fireplace insert. It can help you to maintain a traditional look by turning an inefficient masonry fireplace into a woodstove with an efficiency rating of about 70 percent. However, one disadvantage of woodstoves and inserts is that dust particles land on the stove and burn up there, making the air dry although the fire is closed off.
• Wipe the glass panel regularly with window cleaner to remove soot. Just remember to spray the window cleaner on a cloth rather than directly on the panel—and only when it is cold.
• If you are looking for something traditional, opt for a cast-iron stove.
• Find out the efficiency factor of a stove. It informs you how much energy is actually transferred to the surrounding air in a room.
GOOD TO KNOW 
The right fuel
Modern woodstoves burn logs; fully cured hardwood is best. About 1,400 pounds (700 kg) dry, seasoned firewood can replace the energy from about 7,000 ft3 (200 m3) of natural gas. Light gray to gray ashes are a sign of efficient combustion, containing no carbon remnants—you can even use them in the garden as a high-potash fertilizer. Add dried orange peel as you start a fire. It burns well and gives off a pleasant aroma.
Gas fireplaces and fireplace inserts give you the look and warmth of a wood fire but with the added efficiency and ease of use of a modern convenience: You can turn them on or off with the touch of a remote control button or wall switch.
• Choose a gas fireplace to fit the decor of your home. A two-sided gas fireplace makes a lovely room divider, for example. But if you are fond of the antique mantelpiece, buy an insert to fit the fireplace rather than replacing the whole thing.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for using your gas fireplace and be sure to have it checked periodically to maintain maximum efficiency. And remember to turn off the pilot light at the end of winter to save energy costs.
• Check the chimney flue for blockages, such as bird nests and leaves, before using the heater for the first time in the winter. Have the chimney swept every year, when it can also be checked for safety.
• Gas fireplaces don’t produce smoke and other by-products that affect people with asthma or allergies. They are easy to maintain and don’t require you to sweep up ashes or deal with stray sparks.
