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Drafty Fireplaces Meet Their Match

By
Home Inspector with Diadem Property Inspections - Serving Southeast Michigan

Fireplaces are replacing fireplaces!

That is, if some manufacturers have their way, the open fireplace will become a relic of the past.

Some of these new fireplaces burn alternative fuels and qualify for a federal tax credit before the end of the year.

 

From the Wall Street Journal:

When James and Maryam Shapland need to tend the living-room fire this winter, they'll reach for a remote control instead of the iron tongs.

With cold weather approaching, the Shaplands are relieved to have finally plugged up the wood-burning fireplace in their 1940s Minnesota home—what Ms. Shapland called their energy-inefficient hole in the wall. Its replacement: a gas-fired unit that resembles a flat-screen TV with flames dancing along a bed of flat ceramic stones.

 

There's a nice slide show at the WSJ website, plus the rest of the article (which I thought was really interesting). And a video.

 

Posted by

 

Jason Channell     Twitter - Home Inspection LinkedIn Twitter - Home Inspection

Diadem Property Inspections
(888) 699-8710

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Michigan Builder's License 2101198700
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Comments (8)

Sharon Lancaster
Sage Executive Group Real Estate - Kelowna, BC
SRES, Realty Executives Okanagan

I had mine replaced with gas a few years ago... although it may be easier, cleaner and less drafty .. I knda miss the old chopping block!

Oct 19, 2010 02:57 PM
Vickie Nagy
Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate - Palm Springs, CA
Vickie Jean the Palm Springs Condo Queen

We have mostly gas in our area of Northern CA. It is sold as ambiance rather than heat!

Oct 19, 2010 03:02 PM
Vickie Nagy
Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate - Palm Springs, CA
Vickie Jean the Palm Springs Condo Queen

We have mostly gas in our area of Northern CA. It is sold as ambiance rather than heat!

Oct 19, 2010 03:02 PM
Vickie Nagy
Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate - Palm Springs, CA
Vickie Jean the Palm Springs Condo Queen

We have mostly gas in our area of Northern CA. It is sold as ambiance rather than heat!

Oct 19, 2010 03:02 PM
Jason Channell
Diadem Property Inspections - Serving Southeast Michigan - Troy, MI
The House Sleuth

We have lots of gas fireplaces, but I haven't seen too many of these new designer fireplaces around here (Michigan).

Oct 19, 2010 03:34 PM
Andy Chaudoir
Professional Inspection Services - Georgetown, Texas - Georgetown, TX
Your Home Inspection Connection in Central Texas

Hello Jason - Efficiency will win out in the end.  Lots of things will become relics...it's the way of the world as we evolve!

Oct 19, 2010 04:22 PM
Juli Vosmik
Dominion Fine Properties - Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale/Cave Creek, AZ real estate 480-710-0739

Wow, Jason, thanks for the reference.  Personally, I used to burn 4-5 cords a season when I lived in the Chicago area.  I loved a hot fire and it really did warm up that particular room.  However, when I would go to bed, I always worried about the still glowing embers and I know that a ton of heat went up that chimney after the coals burned out, but I couldn't close the flue before I went to bed. 

Here in Arizona, every newer home has the gas fireplace and since we tend not to get too cold, it's just enough that we don't even turn on our furnaces. 

Oct 19, 2010 06:23 PM
Grace Culver
Michigan Homes Network - home advertising and search - Ferndale, MI
Advertising

With the prices to heat your home many people are turning to alternative a way that can save money.  My friend actually has a old wood burner that was left in the house when she purchased it. She uses it and has saved a ton of money every year.

Oct 21, 2010 02:24 PM