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An outdoor wood furnace might be worth it, depending on your situation. For example, if you can easily (and affordably) acquire wood to burn, then an outside furnace could make sense. Investing in an outdoor furnace might also be worth it if you live in a rural area without a reliable energy source.

Yes, you should seal an unused chimney. Even if it’s not in use, the structure is still susceptible to moisture damage, which can lead to problems like cracks, spalling, efflorescence, and damaged mortar joints. But you should also cap the chimney to prevent blockages while still allowing for air ventilation (which also prevents moisture damage). Also, continue to get an annual chimney inspection to prevent other issues with the structure.

Yes, it can be worth installing a gas fireplace, depending on your home heating needs. The cost to install a gas fireplace can be much lower than the cost to install a comparable wood-burning fireplace. The convenience of starting a fire with the flip of a switch and turning it off just as quickly makes a gas fireplace a big time saver over starting and maintaining a wood-fueled fire. A gas fireplace also does not require ash cleanup or frequent chimney cleaning to remove creosote and other buildup that can lead to chimney fires. Gas fireplaces burn and heat much more cleanly than wood fireplaces.

The best wood for a fireplace includes hardwoods, such as ash, birch, cherry, maple, and oak. These woods ignite quickly and put out the most heat. They also produce less smoke than other types of wood. Softwoods, such as eucalyptus, poplar, and willow, are poor choices for burning in a fireplace because they create a lot of smoke and have a high moisture content that makes it challenging to light.