Thinking Fireplace? Think Safety and Energy Efficiency

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If you’re planning to install a new fireplace in your home, thoughts of warmth, comfort and romance are likely uppermost in your mind. For peace of mind and maximum enjoyment, however, you should also give some thought to safety and energy efficiency.

A properly located, professionally installed and energy-efficient fireplace can help supplement your primary heating system.

For wood-burning units, your best choice is an advanced combustion fireplace. They are much safer to operate than conventional wood fireplaces and can be up to 10 times more energy-efficient, delivering more heat to the room.

Many homeowners opt instead for natural gas or propane fireplaces for their ease of operation, low fuel costs and clean-burning features. From a safety and energy efficiency perspective, the best type are direct-vent models that use outside air for combustion. Energy-efficient fireplaces also tend to have an electronic ignition (to avoid a continuous pilot light), a tempered ceramic glass front and an insulated outer casing.

The best way to determine whether a fireplace is energy efficient is to check the manufacturer’s literature for the EnerGuide Fireplace Efficiency rating – the higher the number the better. Some units have ratings in the 30 percent range, while the most energy-efficient models have ratings of 50 percent to 70 percent.

For more information, including EnerGuide Fireplace Efficiency ratings for gas fireplaces sold in Canada, visit the Web site of Natural Resources Canada’s Office of Energy Efficiency at oee.rncan.gc.ca [This link opens a new window]. Information is also available by calling toll-free 1 800 387-2000 or writing to Energy Publications, Office of Energy Efficiency, c/o S.J.D.S., Ottawa, Ontario K1G 6S3.