Get matched with top fireplace pros in Watersmeet, MI

When your fireplace is not in use for longer periods of time, such as over the summer, you can keep smells at bay by spraying either a commercial fireplace deodorizing product or a blend of one part distilled white vinegar to one part water around the walls of the fireplace. 

Or, you can place a container of charcoal inside the fireplace to absorb odors. Just be sure to remove it before it’s time to start using the fireplace again.

In homes that have a gas furnace, it's typically the heating system that uses the most gas. That explains why your gas bill is almost always higher in the winter and other colder months than it is in the summer. Other appliances that may use gas include your water heater, clothes dryer, and stove.

Wood fireplace inserts produce more heat without replacing the whole system. A fireplace installer can verify that you have a connector and chimney system to fit the wood-burning insert.

Gas fireplace inserts require less maintenance and are an efficient way to produce warmth. Some can also produce heat in the event of a power outage.

Electric fireplace inserts don't have a real open flame, so they produce flames that mimic a real fire surrounded by artificial logs with LED light. Many electric fireplace inserts produce heat from glowing elements while only using electricity.

The short answer is yes, as hearths need to extend a certain distance out from the fire. This is usually around at least a foot in front but is often more, closer to two feet even. There is another distance to consider, which is the distance beyond the opening of the fireplace. Each municipality will have different code requirements.