Using Your Fireplace to Support Your Heating System - Will It Work?

During the wintertime, many homeowners want to use their heating system and their fireplace at the same time. The atmosphere a fire can bring to your home is perfect on a cold winterandrsquo;s night, but most people donandrsquo;t want to turn off the heat during the chilliest parts of the season. However, does your fireplace actually add heat to your home or support your heating system? Find out if this will work below, courtesy of our home comfort experts at Valley Heating, Cooling, Electrical and Solar.

How Using Your Fireplace Affects Your Heating System

• Wood Fireplaces: Wood-burning fireplaces can definitely add some ambience to your home, but they are not an effective means of heating your house. On the contrary, these fireplaces typically let out more heat than they provide. Because they require specific venting to allow smoke to successfully escape, some amount of warm air from inside your house is always going to slip out through the chimney. Meanwhile, cold air will get sucked back inside, forcing your furnace to work harder to provide the warmth you need. For this reason, wood fireplaces are not a great choice for many modern homes, as they essentially raise your heating bill without providing any actual heat.
• Gas Fireplaces: In general, gas-powered fireplaces tend to be more efficient than wood-burning fireplaces. This is largely because they are enclosed and the warm air generated by your heating system canandrsquo;t escape while you are using them. This means that gas fireplaces can work in tandem with your HVAC equipment to help heat your home. The one downside of a gas fireplace is that dangerous gasses and carbon monoxide can build up if the flue is obstructed. However, by scheduling regular fireplace inspections and maintenance and by installing converters, insulation and glass doors to help your fireplace burn cleanly, you will be able to enjoy energy-efficient warmth and ambience without any major safety issues.
• Electric Fireplaces: Like gas fireplaces, electrical fireplaces can efficiently add heat to your home, thereby taking some pressure off your HVAC system and helping to create a comfortable environment for all. Some models are also portable, so you can move them from room to room. However, electric fireplaces can increase your energy bill, since electricity costs more than gas or wood.

Call Valley Heating, Cooling, Electrical and Solar for All Your Home Heating Needs

At Valley Heating, Cooling, Electrical and Solar, we highly recommend that you look at a gas-powered model if you are considering a new fireplace. Our technicians offer a full range of gas fireplace services, from sales and installation to ongoing maintenance. As experienced heating technicians, you can count on our team to help you find something that works perfectly with your heater, boiler or dual fuel hybrid system. And with top-of-the-line products from some of the leading brands on the market, you can always expect the best in home comfort equipment when you hire the pros at Valley Heating, Cooling, Electrical and Solar.