One of the most popular reasons homeowners install fireplaces is to offset energy bills by using fire to heat their homes.

Depending on the intensity and frequency of use, burning wood in your fireplace can significantly contribute to lower energy bills. But there are tips and tricks to ensure you maximize the heat and efficiency from your fireplace, including:

• Considering a gas fireplace insert. Gas fireplace inserts are incredibly efficient, and allow homeowners to control the temperature without sacrificing heat.

• Burning the right wood. Only burn seasoned wood — wood that’s dry and has been sitting covered for a minimum of six months. Seasoned hardwood will burn more efficiently and cleaner that damp or wet wood, and burning seasoned wood will reduce the by-products of burning that require your chimney to be cleaned more often.

• Sealing all leaks. When not burning a fire, gaps in fireplaces allow the heat from your home to escape, which means your furnace will have to work extra hard to keep your home warm. By sealing any and all gaps in your fireplace, you can reduce the amount of warm air leaving your home.

• Cleaning the flue. Make sure your flue is free from creosote, a dangerous by-product that adheres to the inside of your chimney and can catch on fire in intense heat. Creosote build-up also can reduce your fireplace’s heat output into your home.

At Rooftop Chimney Sweeps, we have the knowledge and expertise to thoroughly clean your chimney and remove creosote, restoring your fireplace to peak efficiency. Furthermore, we can inspect your entire system, identifying and sealing any gaps that may exist.

For more information about our services — like our chimney cleaning service, chimney cap repair, or wood stove insert installation — or for more tips to maximize your fireplace’s efficiency and heat output, contact us today.