With all the problems of conventional fireplaces, should I bother using mine or look into getting an insert?

Question

I just moved this past summer into my first home and it has a conventional masonry fireplace. I've never had a fireplace before, so I am not too experienced, although I'm learning quickly. I was told that it was still functional by the previous home owner, and I had a chimney sweep come in to clean it in preparation for the cold months ahead. I've been using it for about a month now, but I find that the wood doesn't catch very well, it makes the house smell like smoke and barely gives off any heat. On top of that, it was pretty cold last week and I tried starting a fire, with the damper open of course, but it ended up filling the room with smoke until it warmed up. Very frustrating. The more I read about it, the more I hear about having an advanced combustion insert installed if I want to get the most out of the fireplace. But of course, they aren't cheap, so I'm wondering, should I bother with the fireplace altogether this season or just leave it be until I can afford the insert?

Answer 1

It sounds to me like you don't have enough experience to get a good fire going. That comes with time. The only advice I can give you is to make sure you have enought paper and kindling to warm the flue and create a good draft before adding more DRY wood.

And you are correct, fireplaces are VERY inefficient. Plus when you don't have a fire, the heat from your house seeps up the chimney. An insert is the way to go, but expensive. Do some research to see if you will get an adequate pay back with one.

Answer 2

Old-fashioned fire-places were very innefficient.
They use a lot of wood/fuel, & heat goes up the chimney.
An insert or Franklin type stove is more efficient.
Look in the Bargain Hunter Flyer for a used one.

Answer 3

Look at installing a wood stove which can be adapted to your fire place. They work great.