A Fireplace Changeout: How It Can Benefit Your Historic Home

Landmark homes are at their best when the hearth is the centerpiece during the winter season. A fireplace changeout can benefit your historic home by restoring the original heat source. Of course, fireplaces were extremely important a century ago. Over time, however, substantial chimney masonry work is often required, even though bricks free of damage typically last 100 years or more. Brick and stone masons with advanced skills and chimney experience are the ideal professionals to handle a fireplace changeout and chimney restoration. In Minnesota, Twin City Fireplace qualifies as the go-to expert for fireplace restoration.

Fireplace and Chimney Systems in Historic Homes

Structural issues, rusted components, and severe masonry damage are common in the fireplaces and chimneys of valued historic homes. You do best to maintain the home’s value by respecting the original design and purpose. Start by consulting professionals with experience restoring landmark chimneys and fireplaces. 

Cozy fires can once again burn in your historic home’s fireplace while maintaining its original design. You have options, however, which are always lovely. A custom fireplace surround can achieve a makeover that harmonizes with your home’s architectural style. Such a restoration can transform your fireplace into a viable heat source, with additional benefits, as follows. 

Fireplace Efficiency

Keeping old-fashioned fireplaces as-is means sacrificing the potential for fireplace efficiency. Modern units with efficiency ratings of 85% or higher, rather than 10% or lower, are available for fireplace changeouts. A wood-burning or gas-fueled fireplace can help you realize your vision for your home and enhance its antique appeal.

Reduce Energy Costs

Modern fireplace systems with a vintage design do more than keep your glowing fireplace effective against winter chills. You can supplement central heating with heat produced by the fireplace. If the electricity goes out, you can keep the fires burning. Some units may require a backup electrical system, possibly battery-powered, and the experts who provide your fireplace upgrade can ensure it is installed. The bottom line is that your monthly energy bill can be significantly reduced by upgrading to a modern fireplace. 

When Less is Way More

Reducing emissions is another way you can do some good with a fireplace changeout for your historic home. Recall scenes from Mary Poppins as a valid argument about the inefficiency of landmark fireplaces. London’s air was heavily polluted before central heating became widespread, as fireplaces were used for both cooking and heating. Without sacrificing your home’s historic status, you can help keep the air clean by switching to a modern, efficient fireplace with significantly reduced emissions.

Safety and Reliability.

Deteriorating fireplaces and chimneys are missed opportunities to safely warm yourself indoors by a crackling fire when it is wintry outside. Being safety-conscious is priority one, but it can also be tragic if it means you must avoid using your fireplace altogether. There is no need to sacrifice the wonderful ambiance that only a fireplace provides, especially in older houses! Call local chimney sweep experts with experience working on historic homes and providing reliable chimney repair, maintenance, cleaning, inspections, and fireplace installation.

The Fireplace Experts at Twin City Can Handle Your Fireplace Changeout

Minnesota is known for harsh, cold, snowy winters — making fireplaces a great way to turn a negative into a positive! If you need more information about how a fireplace changeout can benefit your historic home, contact Twin City Fireplace. We will be happy to explain our process for preserving the historic integrity of the fireplace and chimney during a fireplace upgrade. We can also handle ongoing chimney services, which is a surefire way to cut overall maintenance costs. Contact us today by calling or completing our online form.