Can a Fireplace Heat a Whole House?
In Short, Yes
A fireplace can heat a whole house. Everyone wants to live in a warm home, especially during the winter—and the right fireplace can help accomplish exactly that! Older homes were often built with the fireplace as the main heat source. If a home has a central fireplace surrounded by brick that runs to the roof, then the intent was to have the heat refracted from this hearth in order to keep the entire house warm.
Using wood-burning fireplaces as the main form of heating in a home has fallen out of fashion as buildings and building techniques have evolved. Wood fireplaces were seen as high maintenance and heating a home in this fashion was the same. That is when supplemental heating was installed in the form of radiators and baseboard heating. And then, over time, a home’s design evolved again, using furnaces to heat using ducts hidden within the walls, rendering fireplaces unnecessary for keeping your home toasty and comfortable.
With all that being said, fireplaces most definitely still have their place. Not only do they look great, but some fireplaces can stay running during an unforeseen power outage. Gas fireplaces come with an electronic ignition system—they keep your family safe and warm even when the power goes out. Conversely, wood fireplaces can run in all situations assuming the home is stocked with an adequate amount of wood to burn.
Can a Wood Fireplace Heat a Whole House?
When discussing fireplaces, an open wooden hearth always comes to mind. This traditional style of fireplace has existed since the early centuries. However, they are not always as efficient as you might think!
Wood fireplaces, unfortunately, can’t heat a whole house due to their relatively low heat output. Rather than relying on them to heat your house whole, they’re better used for adding warmth to specific rooms—and setting a cozy atmosphere.
Can a Gas Fireplace Heat a Whole House?
When completed by the correct heat management systems, it is possible for gas fireplaces to heat your entire house. It just depends on your needs!
On its own, a simple gas fireplace with an internal blower will do a great job heating a specific room, but likely nothing more. However, a hot air distribution kit or a dynamic heat control system will allow you to move the heat to other rooms.
Can an Electric Fireplace Heat a Whole House?
Electric fireplaces are wall-hanging or built-in units that have faux flames. An electric fireplace offers warmth to your space even if the flames displayed are not real. Unfortunately, this fireplace type is not strong enough to heat an entire house since it's average BTU ranges from 4,500 to 10,000. These are better suited to being beautiful supplemental heat sources for a home. Of course, this all depends on the size of your home. Napoleon’s CLEARion Elite electric fireplace has the capability to warm spaces up to 800 sq. ft., which is the average size of a one or two-bedroom apartment.
Zone Heating with Fireplaces
Zone heating efficiently conserves energy and lowers electricity bills by heating individual rooms as needed. Using fireplaces can make this possible, as you can turn down the temperature of your furnace and just localize the heat where it’s needed.
Tips on Heating Your Home With a Fireplace
Given the benefits of zone heating, it’s time to learn how to heat your home with a fireplace! Below are some tips you’ll find helpful:
1. Pick the Right Fireplace
Maximize your investment by choosing the right fireplace for your space. Consider both your needs as well as your home’s design when making this decision. It’s worth taking the time to find something that meets your heating demands without sacrificing the aesthetic appeal of your space.
2. Install a Fireplace in the Right Zone
The next step is choosing a spot for your fireplace. Think about the rooms where you and your family spend the most time together. It’s common for households to have fireplaces in the living room, master bedroom, or kitchen, as zone heating is situationally-dependent. Putting your fireplace in a room you frequently use is how you can get the most out of it.
3. Clean Your Chimney
Cleaning the chimney is part of fireplace maintenance for those with wood and gas fireplaces. Doing so regularly can prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, improves heating efficiency, and ensures smoke escapes properly. A clean chimney also lowers the chances of fires because you’re reducing the amount of creosote, a highly flammable material.
4. Use Seasoned Wood
Avoid using fresh wood—it burns inefficiently and produces a lot of smoke. Instead, opt for seasoned wood. Most of the moisture has been evaporated from this kind of wood, meaning it is easier to start a fire with a clean burn and minimal debris.
5. Remove the Ash
Your fireplace upkeep routine should involve sweeping out the ash after your logs burn out. Leaving this debris in your hearth causes corrosion on your firebox, preventing you from building a proper fire. On the bright side, wood ash has several alternative uses around the house and in your backyard!
6. Install Fireplace Inserts
Fireplace inserts are an efficient alternative to replacing a wood-burning fireplace opening. They vent exclusively out of the chimney to limit drafts and require minimal maintenance. Given that they are small, self-contained units, they are also easy to install and can be customized to fit the aesthetic design of your home.
Build Your Fireplace With Napoleon
Can a fireplace heat a whole house? Well, as you have learned, it depends on which type you choose and the space you live in. However, the size of your home shouldn’t discourage you from getting a fireplace. Having more heat is always better to keep you warm during colder seasons!
Fireplaces are great supplements to your gas furnaces or central heat pumps. Together, they can increase the efficiency of your home. And, most importantly, they’ll keep you safe during a blackout while you wait for power to return.
If you are still unsure or have further questions, one of our experts would be happy to walk through your options. Our team will work with you to find the perfect fireplace for your home, keeping you and your family warm and comfortable year-round.
At Napoleon, we offer the best and most energy-efficient fireplaces to help you cut down on utility costs. Find a dealer near you through our locator!
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