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In many cases, it is worth repairing an old fireplace. You can repair any portion of the fireplace, and even extensive repairs will usually cost less than a full replacement. Most fireplace repairs cost around $600 and top out around $2,500. Replacing your fireplace will cost around $2,500 and reach as high as $4,000. Not only will fireplace repair save you money in most cases, but the process is also much less invasive and time-consuming, so you’ll only have to set aside one day to be home for the work rather than multiple days.

Wood is classified as either hardwood or softwood. For firewood, hardwoods are generally the best choice as they tend to burn longer, hotter, and produce less smoke than softwoods. Recommended hardwoods include oak, hickory, maple, cherry, ash, beech, birch, elm, and walnut. Oak is a particularly good option as it's widely available, slow-burning, and doesn't produce much smoke or sparks. Some woods, like oak, hickory, and cherry, also emit a pleasant scent. It is best to avoid softwoods such as eucalyptus, poplar, and willow, as they create a lot of smoke and have a high moisture content that makes them difficult to light and burn efficiently.

You should not use Windex or any other ammonia-based glass cleaners when cleaning the glass doors or glass front panel of a gas fireplace. Instead, remove the glass and lay it on a soft surface, like a drop cloth or towel. Then clean it using a specialty fireplace glass cleaner purchased at a hardware store or online. If the glass is relatively clean, you can get away with a vinegar and water solution, but tougher stains will require a specialized cleaner.

Ideally, your chimney cap should be at least 8 inches above the top of the flue, though it's better if it's even higher. You want it to sit that high because it won't affect the chimney's draft, which pulls the smoke up and out of your chimney and away from your home.