Get matched with top gas fireplace pros in Calvert, AL

No—though they are related. A flue is a pipe that runs the length of your chimney and carries smoke outside when a fire is burning. The damper is a metal plate that helps control airflow to the firebox, depending on whether it’s open or closed.

Some types of electric fireplaces use more electricity than others. Models that produce 1,500 watts will have more of an effect on your heating bill than 750-watt models. 

Electric fireplaces use an average of $1.85 of electricity every eight hours. These minimal operational costs aren’t likely to make a big difference in your electric bill—unless you’re using it as a primary heating source for your home and it’s running most of the time.

If you don’t clean your chimney regularly, it can result in a build-up of creosote that can ignite and cause a chimney fire. In addition, creosote build-up can result in poor venting of smoke, soothes, and carbon monoxide, making the air quality indoors dangerously poor. Creosote is also acidic and can damage mortar and metal over time, allowing smoke to leak into your home.

You shouldn’t remove a fireplace yourself. Before beginning this job, you’d need to know whether or not you have a load-bearing fireplace. To do that, you’d need help from a structural engineer. Plus, fireplace removals require permits and often involve working with gas lines or electricity, which can be dangerous. For all of these reasons, it’s best to hire a pro for this project.