How to Increase the Heat From a Fireplace

Fireplaces are often discouraged as a source of heat. They can be inefficient and often end up costing more than using other methods to heat a home. However, many people find the look, smell and sound of burning wood to be appealing and prefer it as a heat source. There are a number of ways to increase the effectiveness of your fireplace and increase the amount of heat that enters your home, rather than escaping out the chimney.

Fireback
Blower
Wood burning stove

Instructions

- 1
  Clean the fireplace and chimney to ensure that the fireplace is safe and working properly.
- 2
  Keep the damper closed when not in use. An open damper pulls warm air out of the house.
- 3
  Open any glass or metal doors when the fireplace is in use. Keep them closed otherwise to prevent heat loss to the chimney.
- 4
  Place an insert called a fireback against the back wall of the fireplace. These metal sheets reflect heat back into the room even after the fire has burned out.
- 5
  Install fans that blow heated air into the room. These fans prevent the heat from escaping through the chimney by directing the heated air back into the room.
- 6
  Install a wood burning stove into the existing fireplace opening. Wood burning stoves radiate more heat and will provide warmth after the flames have been extinguished. They provide a more efficient source of heat than a traditional fireplace.

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