SJG Conserve

Keep the Heat: Energy Efficiency for Your Fireplace 

A fireplace can create a cozy environment and help warm up your space in winter. But be aware: it can also waste energy by letting out valuable heat. See these tips below to reduce heat loss from your fireplace.  

• Close your fireplace damper unless a fire is burning. An open damper, like an open window, just allows warm air to flow out the chimney.  
• When using the fireplace, open dampers in the bottom of the firebox (if provided), or open the nearest window – about one inch. Close doors leading into the room, and set your thermostat between 50° and 55°F.
• Install tempered glass doors in your fireplace, as well as a heat-air exchange system, which blows warmed air back into the room. 
• Make sure the seal on the fireplace flue damper is as snug as possible. 
• Use grates made of C-shaped metal tubes, which draw cool air from the room into the fireplace and then circulate warm air back into the room. 
• Add caulking around the fireplace hearth.  
• If you never use your fireplace, plug and seal the chimney flue. 

For gas fireplaces specifically: 

• If there’s a ceiling fan in the same room as the fireplace, switch the fan to turn clockwise, which will redistribute the rising heat through the room – and require a lower flame. 
• Adjust the flame size for adequate warmth, preferably not the highest setting, to maintain comfort over a longer period of time and save energy.
• Ensure your flue and vents all function properly, for adequate ventilation and effectiveness. 
• Have your fireplace professionally cleaned at least once a year so it will perform efficiently. 

Sources: Energy.gov; Nationwide.