Gathering around the fireplace while the snow howls outside, telling stories and drinking hot cocoa — what could be better in the winter? Unfortunately, your fireplace serves not only as a source of heat and family togetherness, but also as a major source of energy loss. Don't worry, though — you can increase the energy efficiency of your fireplace with these simple tips:

• Install a chimney damper/flue sealer. Warm air rises, so if you have a fireplace with an open chimney, you'll likely lose much of the heat you want to stay in your house to the outdoors. To keep it indoors, install a top-sealing chimney damper or flue sealer at the opening of the chimney. This should form an airtight seal that will keep your hard-earned heat inside the house.
• Install a fireback. A fireback is a metal plate placed at the back of a fireplace to protect the wall and radiate heat back into the room. Installing firebacks will help you use the heat from your fireplace more efficiently to heat your home.
• Install a fireplace heating system. Another way to more efficiently use the heat from your fire is to install an air circulation heating system that pulls cool air into the fireplace from the room, then blows it back out warm. 
• Upgrade to a gas fireplace. A wood fireplace may have more old-fashioned charm, but a gas fireplace is easier to clean and maintain, plus it releases less potentially dangerous soot into the air of your home and creates more radiant heat that can be used in place of other heat sources.

For more advice on how to improve the energy efficiency of your home, contact Alban Inspections for a personalized home energy audit today.