Old Fireplace vs. Insert: Which Burns Less Wood?

Most wood burning inserts today operate with efficiencies in the mid 70% range. A properly sized and operated wood burning insert can heat a couple thousand square feet of living space.

Older, open burning fireplaces are not rated for any efficiencies, but most dealers would agree that if you’re getting 15 to 20% of the heat into your home, you’re doing pretty well. Stop and think about that for a minute.  Imagine 100 pieces of wood, all the same size.  Now imagine wasting the heat from 80 – 85 of those pieces.  It’s lost heat up the chimney.  With an open burning fireplace, you essentially have an 8” or 12” hole in your living room with most of the heat from the “campfire” going straight up that chimney.  An insert dramatically improves the amount of heat energy delivered to your home.  We highly recommend them!

Below is a list of fireplace and grill stores that service Virginia (VA)

Manassas, VA

Winston's Chimney Service
11301 Industrial Road
Manassas, VA 20109

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Mechanicsville, VA

Hearth & Home Shoppe
8151 Mechanicsville Tpk
Mechanicsville, VA 23111

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Roanoke, VA

Dixie Building Products Inc.
3342 Melrose Ave NW
Roanoke, VA 24017

Warrenton, VA

Costello's Warrenton Fireplace & Hot Tub
251 West Lee Hwy
Warrenton, VA 20186


For more information, contact your local fireplace and grill store..

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