--- title: Why a Fireplace Can Save You Money in Winter | Builders & Remodelers description: Learn how using a fireplace can lower your energy costs in the winter. Call Builders & Remodelers today for all your home renovation needs, 612-827-5481! image: https://blog.buildersandremodelers.com/hubfs/fireplace%20couch%20books.jpg --- [financing](https://www.buildersandremodelers.com/easy-financing/) [specials](https://www.buildersandremodelers.com/specials) [reviews ](https://www.buildersandremodelers.com/reviews/)[blog](https://blog.buildersandremodelers.com) [![Builders & Remodelers](https://blog.buildersandremodelers.com/hubfs/Builders_and_Remodelers_January2020/Images/downarrow.png)](https://www.buildersandremodelers.com) [FREE ESTIMATE Click Here](https://www.buildersandremodelers.com/free-consultation/) [![Builders & Remodelers](https://blog.buildersandremodelers.com/hubfs/Builders_and_Remodelers_January2020/Images/downarrow.png)](https://www.buildersandremodelers.com) [Call Now](tel:612-509-6532) - [Home](https://www.buildersandremodelers.com/) - [About](https://www.buildersandremodelers.com/about-us/) - [Windows](https://www.buildersandremodelers.com/elements-windows-by-soft-lite/) - [Roofing](https://www.buildersandremodelers.com/remodeling-minneapolis/roofing/) - [Siding](https://www.buildersandremodelers.com/siding/) - [Doors](https://www.buildersandremodelers.com/remodeling-minneapolis/doors/) # Why a Fireplace Can Save You Money During the Winter Posted by [Builders and Remodelers](https://blog.buildersandremodelers.com/author/builders-and-remodelers) on Feb 20, 2020 2:12:10 PM ![Builders and Remodelers](https://blog.buildersandremodelers.com/hubfs/Builders%20%26%20Remodelers%20Logo-square.png) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) It’s safe to say we’re in the thick of a Minnesotan winter. We all know there’s a direct correlation between our heating bills and how cold it is outside. Fireplaces have been keeping people warm for centuries, but in recent years the fireplace has come under scrutiny as a money-waster. Turns out there’s really no evidence to support this claim, other than people believing that since fireplaces are old and traditional, they must be inefficient. Well, that’s actually not the case.  Read on for tips about how to make a fireplace part of a modern home that will save you money on your winter heating bills. ## **Maximize your fireplace’s heat potential by closing the doors to other rooms in your home.** **![snowy field and trees](https://blog.buildersandremodelers.com/hs-fs/hubfs/snowy%20field%20and%20trees.jpg?width=2000&name=snowy%20field%20and%20trees.jpg)** Ideally, your fireplace resides in a central area of your home. While it burns, the fireplace pulls heat from other areas in your home to help fuel the burn. In doing so, it can pull heat away from other rooms where the fireplace isn’t located. This will cause your heating system to work harder to heat those other rooms, and it could be a reason why some people say fireplaces are inefficient or outdated. To prevent a drop in temperature in these other areas of your home, make sure to close the doors to the rooms outside the immediate radius of the fireplace. While it may sound counterintuitive, this will actually help keep the home centrally heated. ## Gas or wood? ![fireplace couch books](https://blog.buildersandremodelers.com/hs-fs/hubfs/fireplace%20couch%20books.jpg?width=1000&name=fireplace%20couch%20books.jpg) Gas and wood fireplaces both have their pros and cons. Gas fireplaces are easy to start, and you don’t need to worry about the flame dying out or needing to be prodded or fed more wood. However, the price to run a gas fireplace can quickly add up, and it will come down to what type of gas fuels the fireplace. In general, propane can be expensive, but it also can put out twice the amount of heat. It really depends on where you’re buying propane to determine which type of gas will be best for your wallet long-term.  Wood-burning fireplaces are naturally less expensive to run, especially if you can harvest the wood for free from your own property. The only downside is having to clean up the fireplace after each use, as the burning will leave soot and ash behind. ## **Ceiling fans aren’t just for cooling down.** **![fireplace](https://blog.buildersandremodelers.com/hs-fs/hubfs/fireplace.jpg?width=2000&name=fireplace.jpg)** You know that switch on your fan that reverses the way the blades spin? No? Well, your ceiling fan likely has a setting that reverses the direction its blades spin. One side of the switch causes the fan to cool, and the other side of the switch reverses the direction of the blades, causing the fan to distribute warm air down, rather than cool the room. Because warm air rises, using fans for circulation is a great way to spread the heat generated by your fireplace. With proper use and maintenance, fireplaces can help save hundreds of dollars on your winter energy bills, especially when combined with [energy-efficient windows](https://www.buildersandremodelers.com/remodeling-minneapolis/replacement-windows/) to keep the heat in. Want to learn how to make your home more energy efficient with home improvement materials or remodeling services? Contact us today at [612-261-0437](tel:6122610437) or complete the form below for a free consultation. ### Sign Up For More Helpful Home Improvement Tips and Info ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Tag - [Windows (10)](https://blog.buildersandremodelers.com/tag/windows) - [Roofing (7)](https://blog.buildersandremodelers.com/tag/roofing) - [Siding (6)](https://blog.buildersandremodelers.com/tag/siding) - [Window Features (5)](https://blog.buildersandremodelers.com/tag/window-features) - [Window Tips (5)](https://blog.buildersandremodelers.com/tag/window-tips) - [Doors (4)](https://blog.buildersandremodelers.com/tag/doors) - [Decks (1)](https://blog.buildersandremodelers.com/tag/decks) See all ### Testimonials Starting with Dan Douglas, he 'sold' the company and the product with professionalism and expertise. The crew, led by Francisco, was all that Dan said it would be: professional, acute attention to detail, very courteous and gracious to us as homeowners, and very in tune to our needs and wants. Francisco even went above and beyond our expectations in finding areas where things could be 'improved' during our siding project. It was finished on time and within budget. Dr. Jon Bathke, Crystal, MN Janis Bathke We were very pleased with the roofing and siding replacement that was done by Builders and Remodelers. The staff was very committed to make sure that we were happy with the job. They listened to any concern, and ensured we were completely satisfied (before and after the job). We will definitely do business with them in the future. Judy Kaczmarek Builders & Remodelers were more than professional from the get-go! From the knowledge and expertise of our sales rep to the professionalism of the installers, we received top-notch service. And our windows are amazing. I can't believe the difference it makes in our home. We can't wait to finish the rest of the windows on our house with your company. Thanks again for the amazing product and service :) Heidi Olson Starting with Dan Douglas, he 'sold' the company and the product with professionalism and expertise. The crew, led by Francisco, was all that Dan said it would be: professional, acute attention to detail, very courteous and gracious to us as homeowners, and very in tune to our needs and wants. Francisco even went above and beyond our expectations in finding areas where things could be 'improved' during our siding project. It was finished on time and within budget. Dr. Jon Bathke, Crystal, MN Janis Bathke We were very pleased with the roofing and siding replacement that was done by Builders and Remodelers. The staff was very committed to make sure that we were happy with the job. They listened to any concern, and ensured we were completely satisfied (before and after the job). We will definitely do business with them in the future. Judy Kaczmarek Builders & Remodelers were more than professional from the get-go! From the knowledge and expertise of our sales rep to the professionalism of the installers, we received top-notch service. And our windows are amazing. I can't believe the difference it makes in our home. We can't wait to finish the rest of the windows on our house with your company. Thanks again for the amazing product and service :) Heidi Olson Starting with Dan Douglas, he 'sold' the company and the product with professionalism and expertise. The crew, led by Francisco, was all that Dan said it would be: professional, acute attention to detail, very courteous and gracious to us as homeowners, and very in tune to our needs and wants. Francisco even went above and beyond our expectations in finding areas where things could be 'improved' during our siding project. It was finished on time and within budget. 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