Our home has a fireplace. This is only the second time we’ve ever had a fireplace, ever; our first fireplace was in an apartment whose living room really wasn’t big enough to support a fireplace. But it was something.
As we head into the final days of summer though, I’m starting to wonder if we should operate the fireplace at all during the winter. It seems like a good idea but then I think about the maintenance, burning things, and the possible damage to anything that lives on the fireplace wall. I hope that wouldn’t happen but… who knows?
So any Pingers out there with fireplaces: are they great? Are they worth it? Or should we settle for a curled-up sleeping dog next to us on the couch for heat?
Posted in Everyday Life
Terry M. August 31, 2008, 9:56 pm
No. I rent an apartment and only the units on the top level have fireplaces. To me it is just a waste of space since I don’t have anything to burn.
Just curious Paul where are you living these days? Do you own a house, or renting an apartment?
I wonder if the captcha will work this time and how many attempts I will have to submit for my comment to go through. Boo, captchas!!!
Andy August 31, 2008, 11:37 pm
Fireplaces are huge energy waters. Great for ambiance and I love watching a fire, but it’s not worth the headache or the added costs of sending all your heat up a chimney.
Cat September 1, 2008, 4:33 am
Be sure to seal that thing up in some attractive way so it’s not stealing your heat all winter. Maybe a decorative panel backed by blankets. Something you can remove in case you want a little romance.
Is Chicago cold enough for fireplaces? They are very common here, where it in no way gets cold enough for one. Unless your heat goes out. And you’re single.
Paul September 2, 2008, 11:21 am
Terry: we’re homeowners now (well, since May). HOORAY!
COD September 2, 2008, 12:57 pm
Andy is right. The fireplace mostly just sucks heat out of your house.
Ryan September 3, 2008, 5:52 pm
… and that’s why we have three fireplaces in each room. We don’t need to run the A/C even during the hottest days.