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Yes, a chimney cap is an excellent idea for several reasons. It prevents debris, rain, or snow from entering your chimney, which can cause moisture damage or blockages. A cap with a mesh screen also keeps animals like birds, squirrels, and bats from nesting in your chimney—or worse, getting into your abode. Additionally, chimney caps help prevent downdrafts, which can push smoke and harmful gases back into your home. Lastly, by installing a chimney cap, you will improve safety and enhance the overall efficiency of your fireplace.

Yes, capped chimneys should still be vented. Failing to vent a chimney will result in condensation buildup inside the chimney, which commonly results in mold growth. If mold begins to grow in a chimney, it frequently goes undetected and spreads quickly through the home. Mold and moisture can damage the structural integrity of your home, and exposure to mold can cause discomfort and illness in residents.

Pellet stoves are used as heat sources for homes. They work by burning biomass pallets, which might be composed of wood, sawdust, or food waste. The pellets are stored in the stove's hopper until the stove is ignited, at which point some are released into the stove's firebox to burn for heat. Unlike most fireplaces, pellet stoves have a thermostat that adjusts the temperature by releasing more or fewer pellets, depending on how warm you want to make your living space.

In some aspects, yes, new wood stoves are better than old ones. For example, today’s EPA emission limits for wood-burning stoves are much lower than they were several decades ago. Stoves that meet these stricter standards produce less air pollution, reduce fire risks, and decrease your risk of inhaling harmful particles.