S
Stein00139 May 2017 15:16We are undecided and would like to hear some opinions and experiences from fireplace owners, as a fireplace is quite a significant investment.
How much work does a fireplace actually require? Cleaning, for example. Does a three-sided fireplace still look nice even when not in use?
Approximately how much do you spend annually on chimney sweep services, wood, fire starters, etc.?
How often do you use your fireplace each year?
Note: We would use our fireplace purely for enjoyment, not for heating.
Thank you for all tips and advice.
How much work does a fireplace actually require? Cleaning, for example. Does a three-sided fireplace still look nice even when not in use?
Approximately how much do you spend annually on chimney sweep services, wood, fire starters, etc.?
How often do you use your fireplace each year?
Note: We would use our fireplace purely for enjoyment, not for heating.
Thank you for all tips and advice.
Since our fireplace is not installed yet, I can only talk about my parents’ fireplace.
**Is it worth it?** It really depends on how much you enjoy a fire like that.
**How often is it cleaned:** When my father lights it, you can clean it right after the fire goes out; when my mother lights it, the glass stays clean. So the fire needs to be managed properly.
**Three-sided fireplace:** I find them nice; my father doesn’t.
**Chimney sweep costs:** These vary a lot. My parents pay about 80 euros per year, my grandmother only 20 (she bribes with cake), and we will probably pay a lot more.
**Wood:** Do you cut your own or buy a cord from the hardware store?
**Fire starters:** My mother doesn’t need any, except for a bit of paper; my father could pour a bottle of lighter fluid in and still not get a fire going.
**How often is it lit:** In winter, almost daily. The neighbors of my parents only light theirs when they want to show off before visitors.
They all heat quite well, actually. Whether it’s worth it for you is up to you. It’s mainly decorative and usually not necessary or even cost-effective.
**Is it worth it?** It really depends on how much you enjoy a fire like that.
**How often is it cleaned:** When my father lights it, you can clean it right after the fire goes out; when my mother lights it, the glass stays clean. So the fire needs to be managed properly.
**Three-sided fireplace:** I find them nice; my father doesn’t.
**Chimney sweep costs:** These vary a lot. My parents pay about 80 euros per year, my grandmother only 20 (she bribes with cake), and we will probably pay a lot more.
**Wood:** Do you cut your own or buy a cord from the hardware store?
**Fire starters:** My mother doesn’t need any, except for a bit of paper; my father could pour a bottle of lighter fluid in and still not get a fire going.
**How often is it lit:** In winter, almost daily. The neighbors of my parents only light theirs when they want to show off before visitors.
They all heat quite well, actually. Whether it’s worth it for you is up to you. It’s mainly decorative and usually not necessary or even cost-effective.
S
Stein001310 May 2017 09:33Thank you for the reply. We definitely will not be doing the nailing ourselves, so the cost for the timber will be an additional expense.
S
Silent01010 May 2017 09:52If this is a new build that has not yet started, here are our one-time costs:
For the shell construction: an air-independent chimney shaft costs 2,500 EUR + galvanizing by the roofer 500 EUR = 3,000 EUR.
The chimney (masonry) itself costs between 7,000 and 10,000 EUR.
Of course, it can also be more expensive or cheaper...
For the shell construction: an air-independent chimney shaft costs 2,500 EUR + galvanizing by the roofer 500 EUR = 3,000 EUR.
The chimney (masonry) itself costs between 7,000 and 10,000 EUR.
Of course, it can also be more expensive or cheaper...
A
angoletti110 May 2017 15:32I can roughly confirm these prices. Chimney with everything costs about 2500€ (approximately $2700).
A draft regulator (mandatory in new buildings) costs 1000€ (approximately $1100).
A three-sided fireplace built with heat-retaining stones, bricked and plastered by ourselves, cost 10,000€ (approximately $11,000).
Lighters and small accessories are not much, maybe 50€ (approximately $55) per year.
Since we produce all our own firewood, the total cost is about 40€/cubic meter (about $44 per cubic meter). If you buy it ready-made, prices here range between 70 and 100€/cubic meter (approximately $77 to $110 per cubic meter).
We use the fireplace a lot, and it also heats the stairwell, so we burn about 10 to 12 cubic meters (about 10 to 12 cubic yards) per year.
Even if you do everything yourself and buy materials as cheaply as possible, you don’t save money; compared to central heating, it’s an expensive luxury. Anyone who thinks differently probably has a DIY store stove and burns waste pallets—or is fooling themselves.
It definitely looks nice, and the price is almost irrelevant to me. That’s why we allowed ourselves to invest in the stove, and you shouldn’t forget the daily “work” involved. The glass panes need to be cleaned every 2 to 4 days to keep the fireplace looking good.
Many try to produce their own firewood to save costs, but in my 25 years of experience in forestry, only very few manage to keep it up long term because it really is hard work. Additionally, the initial investment costs are not insignificant, so it’s better to have it delivered ready to use.
A draft regulator (mandatory in new buildings) costs 1000€ (approximately $1100).
A three-sided fireplace built with heat-retaining stones, bricked and plastered by ourselves, cost 10,000€ (approximately $11,000).
Lighters and small accessories are not much, maybe 50€ (approximately $55) per year.
Since we produce all our own firewood, the total cost is about 40€/cubic meter (about $44 per cubic meter). If you buy it ready-made, prices here range between 70 and 100€/cubic meter (approximately $77 to $110 per cubic meter).
We use the fireplace a lot, and it also heats the stairwell, so we burn about 10 to 12 cubic meters (about 10 to 12 cubic yards) per year.
Even if you do everything yourself and buy materials as cheaply as possible, you don’t save money; compared to central heating, it’s an expensive luxury. Anyone who thinks differently probably has a DIY store stove and burns waste pallets—or is fooling themselves.
It definitely looks nice, and the price is almost irrelevant to me. That’s why we allowed ourselves to invest in the stove, and you shouldn’t forget the daily “work” involved. The glass panes need to be cleaned every 2 to 4 days to keep the fireplace looking good.
Many try to produce their own firewood to save costs, but in my 25 years of experience in forestry, only very few manage to keep it up long term because it really is hard work. Additionally, the initial investment costs are not insignificant, so it’s better to have it delivered ready to use.
S
Stein001310 May 2017 15:57Great. Thanks for the detailed answers. Now I have a good overview. I’m afraid a fireplace might not be worth it for us, based on everything I’ve heard. For us, it would probably only be used occasionally, maybe for a glass of wine, and if so, I only like the three-sided fireplace, which is already quite expensive.
Similar topics