Get matched with top fireplace pros in Holt, AL

You only need to repoint a chimney every 30 or more years, with some repointing jobs only necessary after several decades. If your chimney’s brickwork looks worn out or crumbly, hire a pro to inspect and repoint the chimney to improve its strength and waterproofing for many years to come.

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.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says that chimneys and their associated elements like fireplaces, vents, or stoves should be cleaned at least once a year before the start of seasonal use. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America, a chimney should be cleaned when there is 1/8 inch of soot buildup. If there’s more than that, creosote—a flammable byproduct of burning wood—can form and increase the risk of a chimney fire.

Typically, a home that has a functioning fireplace will be worth more to a buyer than the exact same home without a fireplace. Having a fireplace is a desirable feature among many home buyers. However, if your fireplace is in poor shape or needs extensive repairs at the time you are trying to sell the home, it may end up detracting from the home’s value in the eyes of buyers, making removal an option worth considering.