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This will depend on the size of the pellet stove and how much of the house you’re heating, i.e. just one room or the entire house. Many pellet stoves use anywhere from 80 to 345 watts of electricity per hour. In terms of the pellets, a 40-pound bag can cost $5 to $9. A bag of pellets will burn for about 24 hours.

Avoid using abrasive cleansing powders on natural stone, as these products could damage the porous material. Using bleach is also a poor idea because of the porosity of the stone. Avoid using a scrub brush with metal bristles, as they could scratch the stone. If you know who manufactured your stone or who installed the fireplace, you may want to contact that entity for any advice on cleaning it safely.

You should never block both the top and bottom of your chimney. Proper airflow is essential because the temperature inside the chimney will still fluctuate as your house warms and cools. Moisture can build up without ventilation, leading to dampness in your walls over time. Blocking the top prevents debris and animals from entering, but the chimney still needs air circulation to avoid condensation issues. Allowing the chimney to breathe maintains the health of your home and prevents long-term damage.

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.