Does Using the Fireplace Really Save Money

Do Fireplaces Actually Save on Heating Bills? The answer is while they can, they rarely do. Because only gas-insert and electric fireplaces are energy efficient, combined with the fact that homeowners need to use them strategically, most homeowners with fireplaces end up using more energy instead of less.

How much money does a fireplace save you?

According to the Department of Energy, an average home spends approximately $600 per year for heating. What’s more, between 80 and 90 percent of the heat produced by wood burned in an open fireplace is lost up the chimney. This means that for every $100 you spend on firewood, you get only $10 to $20 worth of heat.

Do fireplaces cost a lot to run?

Currently, the average cost of electricity in the United States is approximately 12 cents per kilowatt-hour. This means it will cost you approximately 15 cents per hour to operate an electric fireplace.