Best fireplace pros near Paducah, TX

Modern wood-burning stoves are very effective, reaching around 80% efficiency. That’s because models built after 1988 are designed to meet standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to operate more efficiently and produce less air pollution. If you have an older wood stove, it may not be as efficient.

Handbuilt masonry fireplaces are likely what comes to mind when we think about curling up by the fire at the end of the day. But bricks in the firebox and chimney tend to be heavy, which is not ideal for homes with weak or damaged foundations.

Prefabricated fireboxes come with a full flue and chimney system, significantly reducing the price and installation time. However, if you need to replace the panels down the line, you are locked into the same model or something very similar.

While most stoves won’t last two decades, some do! Gas stoves and pellet stoves are more likely to go the distance than electric stoves or induction cooktops, and maintenance can go a long way toward increasing longevity.

You don’t need electricity for a wood-burning stove unless it has a blower fan. Some wood-burning stoves include blower fans to help with heat distribution, but blower fans have a motor and use electricity to power the fan. You can still operate a wood stove without using the blower fan, so it’s a good source of heat if you have a power outage or are looking to lower your electric bill during winter.