Many homes all across Canada’s providences have fireplaces. Countless memories have been made and many special moments have been shared by families as they gather around the warmth of a fireplace. However, far too many Canadian homeowners are spending more money than they have to because they are not maintaining and using their fireplace correctly.

Here are ten simple yet powerful ways you can save money on your fireplace while also maintaining it and making it more energy-efficient:

1.  Check your fireplace area regularly for gaps and cracks. If any are found, fill them and be sure to check the seal around the chimney, especially where it attaches to your home to ensure no air leaks form to let heat escape.
2. Keep the flue cleaned out and make sure that it is free of debris. This will allow it to work properly and lower the fire risk too. A well-maintained flue will keep debris out and maintain proper air flow and is a must for homes in colder climates.
3. Close the damper when the fireplace is not being used in order to prevent drafts from blowing down the chimney and into your home. This simple step will help regulate interior temperatures and make your fireplace energy efficient.
4. Add caulking to any open seams or cracks the form along the fireplace or hearth or where the walls meet. This step will go a long way in preventing unwanted heat loss and minimizes the air exchange between the indoors and outdoors.
5. Lower the thermostat setting for the home and adjust the temperature when you are running the fireplace so the HVAC system won’t kick on when the fireplace is being used. No use running them both at the same time during Canadian winters.
6. If your fireplace is gas-operated, make sure to take advantage of the fan feature. This handy control setting allows you to easily circulate the warm air around the room and through the home. This helps to maximize the heat generated.
7. For Canadian homeowners lucky enough to have a traditional fireplace, choosing the right kind of wood to burn can help with making their fireplace energy efficient. This is because higher-quality woods burn longer while producing more heat.
8. Making use of glass doors and screen doors around the fireplace will also make it easier to control airflow. It can help you avoid losing all of the heat out the flue and will also protect your family from fire hazards as well.
9. When you are able to do so, it is a good idea to close doors to distance rooms of the home and to block off the area where the fireplace is. It is much easier to heat the living room when the heat isn’t traveling to unoccupied rooms.
10. Make sure to set your ceiling fans are set up so that they run clockwise or in reverse.  Doing this can help circulate the air through the room more effectively while at the same time reducing heat loss and cooling as it is distributed.

These are just a few helpful tips to keep your fireplace working efficiently. In many homes throughout Canada today, the fireplace isn’t just an accessory a way to heat the air, it is an investment into the overall value and appeal of their home. To learn more about how to get the most out of your fireplace, whether gas or wood-burning, and hoe to make your fireplace more energy efficient, give us a call today!