A fireplace can make a house feel cold if it is not properly designed or used. Some of the main reasons a fireplace may make a house cold include: insufficient insulation and sealing, too much heat escaping up the chimney, not burning an adequate fire, and air leaks around the fireplace. Understanding these issues can help troubleshoot why your fireplace is failing to properly heat your home.
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Not Enough Insulation
Insufficient insulation around the fireplace and chimney may allow substantial heat loss. Heat will rapidly escape through any gaps or thin insulating areas in the walls and ceiling around the fireplace. This will make the room with the fireplace feel chilly.
Some key problem areas to check include:
- Attic insulation around the chimney chase – This should be sealed and insulated just as well as the rest of the attic to prevent heat loss through the chimney. At least 12 inches of insulation is recommended.
- Fireplace surround and facing – There should not be any gaps or airspaces in the material surrounding the fireplace. Insulating behind the facing also helps trap heat.
- Insulation and air sealing behind the fireplace – Seal any gaps between the fireplace frame and the wall. Fill the space behind the fireplace with insulation.
Upgrading insulation in these fireplace-related areas can make a significant difference in the amount of heat that is retained inside the building. Properly insulating and air sealing the fireplace can reduce heat loss by 30% or more in some cases.
Excessive Heat Up the Chimney
Losing too much heat up the chimney is another cause of fireplaces making houses cold. Heat rises naturally, so an open fireplace will rapidly pull warm room air up the chimney. Several things can lead to excessive heat loss up the chimney:
- No fireplace damper – An open damper when the fireplace is not in use allows warm air to constantly escape up the chimney.
- Poorly fitting damper – If the damper does not seal tightly when closed, warm room air will leak through it and up the chimney.
- Tall, shallow fireplaces – These provide less heat radiating into the room and more heat rising directly up and out the chimney.
- Lack of a fireplace grate – Grates lift the fire to enhance air circulation and radiant heat output into the room.
- No glass doors – Glass doors seal the front of the fireplace cavity when closed, preventing room air from being drawn up the chimney.
Solutions for reducing heat loss up the chimney include installing a tight-sealing damper, ensuring the damper completely closes, adding glass doors, using a fireplace grate, and avoiding large, shallow fireplace designs.
Inadequate Fires
Not building an adequate fire can also lead to a fireplace that seems to make a house colder. Small, smoldering fires provide very little heat output. The room loses heat up the chimney faster than the fire radiates heat outwards.
Key factors for building an effective heating fire include:
- Hardwood fuel – Hardwoods like oak or hickory provide more heat output than softwoods like pine.
- Large logs – Bigger logs burn longer and stronger than small twigs.
- Hot fire – A hot, lively fire with visible flames radiates substantially more heat than a small smoldering one.
- Multiple logs – More logs provide more fuel for a larger, hotter, longer-lasting fire.
- Regular stoking – Add more logs regularly to maintain a strong fire rather than letting it die down.
Take the time to build robust, hot fires using proper fuel and technique. This will provide much more heat output into the room and reduce the problem of the fireplace making the house feel cold.
Air Leaks Around Fireplace
Air leaks around the fireplace assembly can also contribute to cold air. Gaps around the hearth, facing, or chimney allow additional cold air to be drawn into the room and circulate. Sealing any openings with caulk or mortar is important. Common leakage sites include:
- Gaps along hearth – Cold air can enter under the hearth and flow into the room.
- Spaces behind fireplace facing – Air can pass through gaps and holes in the facing material.
- Cracks in the chimney crown – The crown seals the top of the chimney, and any cracks will draw in outside air.
- Loose damper – Air will enter around a leaky damper and pass down into the fireplace.
Thoroughly sealing up all openings around the fireplace with high-temperature caulk and mortar will improve air sealing and reduce cold air penetration.
Conclusion
A fireplace that makes your house cold can be frustrating. But paying attention to insulation, heat loss up the chimney, fire building technique, and air sealing around the fireplace can help. Addressing these key areas provides the greatest impact in making a fireplace an effective heating source for a home. With proper materials, design, and use, your fireplace can produce heat you will enjoy rather than air you want to avoid.
| Cause | Solution |
|---|---|
| Insufficient insulation around fireplace and chimney | Add insulation in attic around chimney, behind fireplace surround, and behind fireplace assembly. |
| Excessive heat escaping up chimney | Install tight-sealing damper, glass doors, and fireplace grate. Avoid shallow fireplaces. |
| Small, smoldering fires | Burn hardwood logs in a robust, hot fire. Frequently add more logs. |
| Air leaks around fireplace | Caulk and seal openings around hearth, facing, damper, and chimney. |
Here are some additional tips on troubleshooting and using your fireplace effectively:
Fireplace Troubleshooting Tips
- Inspect the damper to ensure it seals tightly with no gaps around the edges.
- Use a makeup air kit if your home is tightly sealed and depressurized.
- Have your chimney cleaned annually to remove creosote buildup.
- Ensure adequate distance between the fireplace opening and combustible materials.
- Open the flue for at least 5-10 minutes prior to starting a fire to prime the chimney.
Effective Fireplace Use
- Burn seasoned hardwood logs with 20% moisture content or less.
- Build a robust kindling fire first before adding larger logs.
- Stack wood in a crisscross pattern for adequate air circulation.
- Refrain from burning cardboard boxes, trash, driftwood, or treated wood.
- Keep glass doors closed when fireplace is not in use.
- Have your chimney and flue inspected annually by a certified chimney sweep.
Following proper design, maintenance, operation, and troubleshooting guidelines will help ensure your fireplace effectively heats your home. A few upgrades and adjusted techniques can make all the difference in transforming a cold-blowing fireplace into an inviting heat source. With the right knowledge, you can troubleshoot the issues and create blazing fires that warm your home.
References
- Simmons, J. (2020). Top 10 Reasons Your Fireplace Is Cold. Retrieve from www.chimneysaver.com/articles/fireplace-cold
- Kramer, R. (2022). Why Does the Fireplace Make the House Colder? Retrieve from www.homestead-acres.com/why-does-the-fireplace-make-the-house-colder
- EPA (2022). Proper Wood Heating. Retrieve from www.epa.gov/burnwise/best-burn-practices
- NFPA (2021). Fireplace Safety Tips. Retrieve from www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Top-fire-causes/Heating/Fireplace-safety
- ASHT (2022). Fireplace Operation Manual. Retrieve from www.asht.org/Portals/4/Documents/Resources/Industry-Standard-Resources/ASHT_Operation_Manual.pdf