How to Save Money on Fireplace Installation
You survived another holiday season without a fireplace, but why do it again? Imagine snuggling by the fire as your loved ones open up presents and sip their cocoa.
Of course, it’s not just cozy; fireplaces are also functional. They can help warm you up while keeping heating costs down. The key is preventing the heat from escaping up the chimney – while still allowing the smoke and soot to get out of your home.
So, what do you need to know about installing an energy efficient and useful fireplace that still looks great?
Do the prep work. Fireplace installation is best left to professionals. After all, if it’s not done right, there can be major safety issues, and there are also strict codes that must be followed. However, there are a few things you can do yourself and avoid paying the contractor to do, which include cleaning the area before the work begins, doing final touches to the outside of the fireplace, and cleaning up after installation is complete.
Find a certified professional installer. Don’t “save” money by going with someone who doesn’t have the specific experience you need. Correcting mistakes will be much more costly than getting it done right the first time, and you also want to ensure that it’s installed in the most energy efficient way possible to keep from wasting money over the long term, sending all that heat outside. And of course, the peace of mind you get from knowing your family is safe has no price tag.
Get multiple bids – but don’t necessarily go with the lowest price. Again, saving a little money in the short term can cost you big over time. Ask companies to provide references and call them. Or better yet ask friends and family if they have recommendations from previous experience. One great possible source for a referral is your real estate agent. He or she is quite likely to have dealt with a fireplace installation through a client.
Install a heat exchanger. It captures lost heat and brings it right back into your home, so you’ll waste less of that toasty air out a vent or chimney.
Weigh your options. The type of fireplace you choose is an important consideration and highly depends on how you plan to use it in the future. Here are a few of the best budget-friendly options:
Fireplace Insert – Does your home already have a fireplace? You don’t need to totally start from scratch. An insert will block off the draft from your current fireplace and help contain the heat where you want it – back in the room. You can find inserts for both wood-burning and pellet-burning fireplaces.
Also, if you’re only thinking about a new fireplace installation for energy efficiency reasons, consider just replacing the fireplace throat damper and get a top-sealing chimney damper instead. As the name implies, it’s installed on the top of the chimney, and it helps seal the outdoor air outside – where it belongs. It also functions all year long, keeping heated air or cooled air inside. It’s so easy to install that you may even be able to do it yourself, though for safety reasons, you’re better off hiring a handyman with experience.
Vented Fireplace – Want a traditional look on the interior of the home but not too worried about how it will appear on the exterior? You can forgo the chimney on the exterior with a vented fireplace. Instead, they have a small vent that draws in air from the outside and feeds the heated air into your home.
Ventless Fireplaces – These fireplaces work with gas instead of burning materials. If the idea of not having the look of a burning log bums you out, good news: you can recreate the look with a gas log. The other benefit is that ventless fireplaces don’t have as many restrictions on where they can be placed, so you can find the most ideal location for maintaining heat and snuggling up. They are also incredibly efficient – no heat is wasted out a chimney or vent. It all stays indoors.
Consider Pellets. If burning logs isn’t a realistic option for you, pellets are a cost-effective option. You may be giving up the look of a burning log, but you still get to enjoy the wonderful fragrance of burning wood.
Category: Home Renovation
