Everyone wants to get the most bang for their buck. With winter around the corner you can save money on your heating costs with an efficient fireplace. When any fireplace is properly maintained during the on and off seasons it will run great, lasting you for years to come and allowing you to turn down the furnace and enjoy the exquisiteness of the burning flames. Here are some tips on maximizing the efficiency of your current fireplace.

Get the Most Out Of Your Wood Fireplace

Wood fireplaces can be trickier than a gas fireplace for maintaining a warm heat when having to manually add more logs to the fire. To maintain a better efficiency from your fireplace try a different building technique by piling the biggest logs on the bottom then gradually adding smaller pieces until you reach the top. Ensure you choose the wood wisely as it is a crucial part to a successful flame, the wood that you plan to use for this year should have been cut last year giving it a fair amount of time to settle and dry. Most importantly when it comes to wood fireplaces make sure your wood is not stored outside where it could get wet or if you have no other option ensure it is properly covered; that being said all your wood should be absolutely dry before being placed in the firebox area. Another tip to take into consideration to increase efficiency is using more expensive wood, for instance maple or hickory will burn longer and provide more heat. Keep in mind not to cut your logs too big to avoid stuffing them into the firebox, allow at least a couple inches difference between the logs and the firebox.

Maintain the Efficiency of Your Gas Fireplace

Maximizing efficiency with your gas fireplace is a little easier to accomplish than wood for the main reasoning of less maintenance. Direct vent fireplaces combustion are as efficient as vent free in any home. If you’re interested in updating your fireplace, a ceramic glass front is stronger and more efficient for transferring heat into the home rather than regular tempered glass. Ensure you perform yearly maintenance on your blower in terms of removing any built up dust allowing your fireplace to blow the maximum amount of heat into your home without dust going along with it. When installing a fireplace into the home insulate with a vapor barrier and drywall around your fireplace to eliminate heat loss into the walls of the home, especially when the fireplace is placed on an outside wall. If you plan on using your fireplace as much as your furnace in the winter consider during installation using hot air distribution kits to move heat to the adjacent room . Most fireplaces will only allow you to adjust the flame 70 percent, although Napoleon fireplaces go as low as 30 percent allowing you to enjoy the fireplace while saving.