Having a fireplace in your home can never not be a good thing. In fact, a fireplace holds so many advantages – including ones that are not as obvious as simply keeping you cosy all winter long.
Besides reflecting your personal style, did you know that a fireplace increases your home’s resale value? Or that a wood-burning fireplace will allow you significant savings on electricity?
Here, we round up the eight top benefits of installing a fireplace in your home.
1. PAYS FOR ITSELF
Using a wood-burning fireplace instead of electric heaters, underfloor heating or air-conditioning systems is typically a more cost-effective way of heating your home.
This is especially true if you are using a fuel-efficient, closed combustion model with the correct kilowatt-heat output to room-size ratio. According to fireplace installation expert Gideon du Preez, it is estimated that, compared with the cost of electricity or gas for heating the same living space, a closed combustion unit will "pay for itself" in approximately five years' time.
2. SAVES YOU SHELLING OUT FOR MEDITATION CLASS
A wood-burning fireplace engages the senses of sight, smell, sound and touch. It relaxes and soothes, providing a natural, comforting warmth. The sound of a burning fire, the pleasing aroma of freshly lit logs and the warmth that emanates from glowing embers all contribute to that snug feeling of contentment you experience when settling down in front of a crackling fire.
3. BEATS LOADSHEDDING
Another major benefit to having a fireplace in your home is that it doesn’t require a power source to work. Just ensure you have plenty of dry firewood on hand – should there be an unexpected power cut, simply light a fire.
Your fireplace is a source of natural light and should see you through till bedtime – or until the lights are back on! Plus, if you get hungry, you can always toast marshmallows.
4. TICKS THE ECO-FRIENDLY BOX
The latest closed combustion fireplaces were designed to be especially environmentally friendly, so do keep this in mind when shopping for a fireplace for your home. It’ll help empower you to be less dependent on energy utility companies.
5. LETS YOU BE LAZY
There is a perception that wood-burning fireplaces require lots of work and maintenance, but this is not really the case. Besides a bit of cleaning and prepping before winter season begins, and cleaning out the ash pans after use, there's really not much else required to keep your fireplace safe, clean and tidy.
When compared to open fireplaces, closed-combustion fireplaces, having glass doors, are especially neat and low-odour.
6. BOOSTS YOUR PROPERTY'S VALUE
Having a fireplace in your home will add to its aesthetic appeal as well as its functionality, which will make your property all the more enticing to potential buyers. In addition, if you opt for a stove- or flat-top cast iron fireplace, you'll be adding another cooking surface to your home – hot enough to boil water for a cup of coffee.
7. GOOD FOR YOUR PLANTS
An added benefit of having a wood burner is that it produces lots of wood ash, which makes an excellent plant fertiliser because of its mineral content. After cleaning out your fireplace, sprinkle ash around your garden to boost the health of your trees and flowers and use it as a deterrent for common pests like snails, slugs and worms.
8. CREATES MOMENTS OF TOGETHERNESS
Whether you decide on an open or closed combustion model, your wood-burning fireplace is bound to become a major source of ambience and a natural focal point in your home. It is a place friends and family will gravitate towards when those winter temperatures drop — which gives you the added benefit of not having to venture out in the cold!
READY FOR YOUR NEW FIREPLACE?
We hope you’re now well convinced of the incredible value a fireplace will add to your home. If you're ready to begin shopping, be sure to do a bit of research before deciding which fireplace to purchase. Start by discovering the perfect fireplace to match your décor style right here.