the benefits of having a fireplace in your home

​As temperatures continue to drop up here in the frozen Northwoods, those of us who have a fireplace in our home will be cozying up to it in warm bliss, while those of us who don’t have one will be wishing we did!  A fireplace is one of those creature comforts that we don’t realize we’re missing out on until we’re at a friend’s house and we notice the crackling fire on the hearth and feel the warmth emanating from it.
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​Fireplaces were listed as one of the most-preferred home features in a recent National Association of REALTORS® survey, and it’s easy to understand why. If you’re considering including a fireplace in your home, this is good news for when it comes time to put your house on the market! Here are several more great benefits of having a fireplace in your home:

1. Cozy fires
The cozy warmth of a fireplace is unmatched by any other heating appliance whether you have an open hearth, a fireplace insert, a pellet stove, or a wood stove. Watch the fire dancing as the outside cold melts away. Plus, fireplaces offer a cheerful setting to gather around the crackling flames with family and friends, to pull up your comfiest chair and sink into a good book, and enjoy countless other favorite indoor activities.

2. Extra warmth when the electricity goes out
When the weather turns frightful and the worst kinds of winter storms hit, electricity often goes out. With a fireplace in your home, you can transform these snowy gales into the coziest time of the year with a roaring fireplace.

3. Fire for cooking
If you have a wood burning stove, you get the extra benefit of being able to cook on your heat source. Save a little money on your utility bill by heating soup or coffee on the stove as the fire warms your home. Or you can even cook a meal even when the electricity is out! With an open-hearth fireplace, you can still roast marshmallows and hot dogs on sticks.

4. Cut energy costs
As electricity costs continue to climb, fireplaces are becoming an extremely popular primary heating source. In many instances, it can cost less to burn firewood than to heat your home using utilities that depend on fossil fuels.

5. Energy independence
A fireplace gives you an opportunity to be less dependent on utility companies and their high costs. You can take charge of your fuel source including how much you pay for it, and where/how you obtain it. If you own a lot of heavily wooded property, you may even have an endless supply of free wood!

By now, if you’ve already been considering a remodel or new home build in the future, you’ll want to add a fireplace to the top of the list of amenities to install. To learn more about your options or to find out what kind of fireplace would be best for you and your lifestyle, contact us today! We’re happy to help.

Click here to browse fireplace design inspiration from Michael’s Homes > http://www.mikebuilds.com/fireplace-trim-staircase-gallery.html