Get matched with top gas fireplace pros in Screven, GA

Like other kinds of masonry and brickwork, a properly installed chimney should have a lifespan that extends beyond multiple generations of homeowners. But there are parts of the chimney that will need to be replaced more frequently. 

• Clay tile or cast-in-place liners should be replaced every 50 years.

• Stainless steel liners will last an average of 15–20 years.

• Mortar will require replacement every 25–30 years.

• Chimney crowns have an average lifespan of 50–75 years.

While fireplace inserts can help you make more use of your fireplace, they do come with some drawbacks. Some cons of fireplace inserts include the sometimes high cost of the insert and installation, the ongoing maintenance to buy fuel and clean the fireplace insert, and the efficiency. Fireplace inserts can operate more efficiently than an open fireplace, but they may not heat your home as evenly as an HVAC system.

A liter of bioethanol costs $11 and burns for around four hours, making it cost around $2.75 per hour to keep your bioethanol fireplace running. For comparison, natural gas costs around $0.50 per hour, and propane costs around $1.60 per hour. 

How much it costs you to run your bioethanol fireplace largely depends on how often you use it. Hypothetically speaking, if you run your fireplace for four hours a week year-round, you’ll go through one liter of biofuel per week or about $570 per year to run the fireplace.

If you would rather use vinegar to clean the stone fireplace instead of dish soap, this mixture should work fine. Vinegar is slightly acidic, however, so it may etch some kinds of stone without quite a bit of diluting. For a stone fireplace, dilute it to about one cup of vinegar for every gallon of hot water. It’s a smart idea to test the diluted mixture in an inconspicuous area of the fireplace and watch for etching. You can use vinegar to clean quite a few different items around your home, and it’s especially good at removing stains.