We all want to be as energy-efficient as possible. For some people, they want to lower their eco footprint and use as few fossil fuels as possible. Others simply want to save money and recognize that "going green" is a good way to do it. After all, if you're like most people your monthly electric fee is one of your most costly bills to pay. No matter which category you fall into and why, we recommend you look at a place you may not have thought of- your chimney. Yes, your chimney could be hindering your efforts to make your home more energy efficient.

Most houses have a standard fireplace that vents up a brick and mortar masonry chimney. As you roast marshmallows for s'mores or cozy up with a glass of wine next to a roaring fire, you don't know that your fireplace is an air polluting energy hog. Oh no! In fact, your wood burning fireplace vents not just smoke but other pollutants out the chimney. While this is happening, it is also sucking cold air into your house from outside. This air exchange process is the opposite of eco-friendly, because most fireplaces lose more heat than they gain. As well, most fireplaces do not burn wood efficiently enough to prevent dirty exhaust gases from going up your chimney. 

This doesn't mean you need to board up your chimney and stop using your fireplace. You simply need to take action. One way you can minimize your personal air pollution at the same time you reduce your fuel costs is by installing a wood burning insert inside your fireplace. At the same time you do this, you should also install a stainless steel chimney liner to fit the insert. 

At Fireside Chimney, we sell an amazing insert, the Timberwolf EPI22-1. This fireplace insert is basically a wood stove, with the small difference being that it is designed to sit inside your fireplace rather than being a freestanding appliance. When you install this insert, the heat is then radiated out into the room.

You can trust that this will make your home more energy efficient, because it is certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This means it burns clean enough, thanks to operating at a higher temperature than an open fireplace. It does so by recirculating combustion gases through a series of baffles and chambers where it is further combusted. 

Don't forget the second part of this! By installing a stainless steel chimney liner along at the same time as the insert, you improve the draft of your chimney system and make your home even more efficient. 

A high-quality fireplace insert and chimney liner will cost you a few thousand dollars, but it is an investment that will pay for itself in no time. You'll enjoy reduced monthly electric costs and a more comfortable heated space!