Do electric fireplaces save on energy usage? Read more to find out.
A fireplace is a wonderful addition to any home. The beautiful, classic style creates a calming ambiance and can tie a room together perfectly. But as ambient as an open fireplace is, unfortunately, most of the heat generated goes out the chimney leading many homeowners to use supplemental heating to keep warm. This can cause an increase in energy usage in the home, leading to expensive gas bills! A fireplace’s impact on energy use depends on the type of fireplace, energy prices, and fireplace use and placement. Here are some options to consider when looking for the right fireplace for your home.
Which Fireplaces are Energy Efficient?
Not all fireplaces are energy efficient. Depending on the amount of heat that is lost while burning, some are more effective than others. A wood-burning fireplace is the least efficient method to heat your home. A wood-burning fireplace loses up to 80-90% of the heat through the chimney. Additional air inside your home is also drawn up and out the chimney.
Additionally, the chimney creates an opening that causes heat and A/C loss throughout the year. Gas fireplaces are also known to lose more heat than they produce. Gas logs in a traditional fireplace lose up to 75% of heat, while gas inserts lose only about 20% of heat. Electric fireplaces are by far the most energy efficient option. Only 1% of the heat from an electric fireplace is lost because it is not connected to the outside.
The Benefits of an Electric Fireplace
Electric fireplaces are more affordable than traditional fireplaces. With low installation costs and cheaper energy bills, an electric fireplace is a great way to heat your home and save money at the same time. Wood-burning and natural gas fireplaces lose at least half of their heat produced. An electric fireplace, however, conserves almost all of its energy. And with the heat on, electric fireplaces only cost around 14 to 18 cents an hour to operate. Installing an electric fireplace is a breeze compared to other fireplaces as well. Many electric fireboxes just need to be plugged into an outlet. Electric fireplaces are a much safer option and give you greater control over operating your fireplace. You will not have to worry about any harmful gasses or fires raging out of control that can occur with traditional fireplaces.
Call the Experts at Champion Chimneys Today!
Champion Chimneys, Inc. is a fully licensed, bonded and insured chimney service company that has served customers in Baltimore County, Howard County, and Anne Arundel County, Maryland since 2001. Our team is trained and certified by Certified Chimney Professionals, Inc. (CCP, Inc.). Courteous service is our trademark, and our crews arrive on time in uniform, driving fully equipped trucks. We specialize in all aspects of your chimney system. Whether you need chimney and flue cleaning service or a full chimney rebuild or inspection, contact us at 443-Chimney today and let us fix all your chimney problems. Also, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.