A fireplace supplies radiant energy that can bring quick comfort to a cold room. In spring and fall, a fire will dispel early morning and evening chills more economically than large heating systems.
Fuel is consumed, and a large volume of heat is quickly produced.
If a storm should cause a power failure, a reliable means of heating and cooking is reassuring to have. First, it needs to be pointed out that, a fireplace is not an efficient, overall, means of producing heat for the home. An open fireplace draws large quantities of warm air from the home, which is replaced by cold outside air. Modern woodburning stoves that are airtight and have automatic draft controls are more efficient. Tests show a well-constructed fireplace, using all the modern innovations, such as double wall recirculating systems and glass doors, produces 10 to 20 percent efficiency from the wood consumed.