Q&A Does using the fireplace actually INCREASE our heating bill?

Question:

My husband and I are having an argument regarding our wood burning fireplace. Our house was built in 1975 the fireplace installed then. He says that the fireplace draws the air from inside the house to keep the fire going, there for causing the heater to run longer to warm the rest of the house. We have a medium size house, is he correct?



Answer:

Yes, he probably is right. The fireplace uses 100's of cubic feet of air per minute to keep the draft going and to combust the wood. This offsets the heat that you get.

Installing an outside air intake along with glass fireplace doors will help. A full-fledged stove or insert will help even more.