Chimneys and fireplaces were typical in house buildings before the 1900s because the fire was the primary method to heat homes. Once alternative fuels came into vogue, such as gas and electricity, people no longer relied on their fireplaces and either left them as-is for decoration or sealed them up.
Non-heating home systems also use chimneys as a way of venting gasses. These include water heaters and wood cooking stoves.
Though fireplaces are cozy, quaint, and traditional, they are also inefficient, messy, and take up alot of space, not to mention the substantial cost. They gradually fell out of favor as central heating improved. From 1929 until 1946 housing was an exercise in minimalism except for the wealthy.
In colonial New England, having the chimney to the center of the house and including multiple flues meant that fires could be lit in two or more rooms. These central fires would effectively heat the home's center mass, thereby keeping the building warm for longer periods of time especially during cold winter months.
“When did fireplaces stop being used as a source of heat?” Never. Fireplaces can still be a good source of heat. Gas and wood burning fireplaces can be very efficient.
Local bans on wood burning are becoming more common in areas where air pollution is a concern. If your area has instituted restrictions or an all-out ban on using wood-burning fireplaces, it makes little sense to hold on to one.
AD 400: After the fall of the Roman Empire, heating methods again became more primitive, such as simple fireplaces. AD 800: First stoves made of clay were built. 1200: Central heating was revived by Cistercian monks in Christian Europe who used river diversion and wood-burning furnaces. The first chimneys appeared.
In some cases, even if the original house is no longer present, the chimneys may still stand. The house might have burned down or been demolished, leaving only the chimneys behind. The reasons behind leaving the chimney standing could vary, but it often adds a decorative piece to the landscape.
While the use of asbestos in fireplaces and chimneys was discontinued in the 1970s and 1980s, older homes still contain the materials. Chimney sweeps who service older homes should use adequate protection to ensure they don't inhale asbestos particles during work.
A: While there's no one new trending look for fireplaces — it's a timeless home feature, after all — statement surrounds with bold tiling, room-divider fireplaces that help create a sense of separation in an open-concept living space, and fireplaces with organic shapes or curved features are all fireplace trends for ...
Removing a fireplace can impact home value depending on location and market demand. In areas where fireplaces are desirable, removing one might decrease the property's value.
State and Local Laws
For instance, California's Bay Area Air Quality Management District prohibits wood-burning devices in new construction. Some cities require permits for installation or mandate regular inspections. Contact your local building department or air quality agency for specific requirements in your area.
Alternative heating options make fireplaces unnecessary for warmth. Space limitations in urban areas or modern house designs focused on functionality and minimalism might also exclude fireplaces. Safety and maintenance concerns associated with fireplaces could also influence the absence of them in modern homes.
Modern ventless fireplaces don't need any chimney or venting allowing you to have an indoor or outdoor fireplace in your house, apartment, or a condo without a chimney. These vent-free fireplaces provide a convenient, low-cost alternative to traditional fireplaces. They are easier to install and easier to maintain.
Sealing a Chimney Causes More Problems Than it Solves.
Plain and simple, DO NOT seal off a chimney or fireplace because you will get a flue full of condensation problems! Even when your fireplace is blocked off airtight you'll still end up with “hidden” water issues. But these problems are only hidden for so long!
Reasons for a Chimney
Chimneys arefluesor vertical ducts that allow passages for smoke, air, and gasses. A chimney draws combustible air out of the house — even if the home does not have a fireplace. Heating systems do need venting (but not necessarily by a chimney).
Up until about the early 1900s, fireplaces served as the home's primary heat source as well as a space to cook and even heat water for baths and laundry. Modern appliances, radiators, and central heating have replaced the functional benefits of a fireplace.
Every chimney has some type of cover or crown that aims to prevent rain from dropping directly down the chimney. Most chimney crowns have angled surfaces designed to divert rain off their surfaces and away from the chimney.
Average Costs to Remove a Chimney in London
It typically costs around £2,300 to remove a chimney stack in the capital. If you want to remove the chimney breast too then that works out around £1000 more expensive, attracting a cost of anything between £3,000 up to £3,500.
Chimney capping is one of the ways you can deal with the challenges of an unused chimney. You can block the top of your chimney using a flue ventilator or chimney cap with mesh, leaving space for chimney ventilation.
In older houses located in colder climates, it was fairly common to have one chimney with two or more separate flues. This would allow a homeowner to vent, say, an oil-burning appliance as well as one, two, or even three wood-burning stoves/fireplaces. “Older” is the keyword here: these houses were not airtight.
Keeping warm in the 18th century was not an easy task. Most homes, including Mount Vernon, had wood-burning fireplaces. This meant that even with a fire burning, parts of a room might not get above freezing on the coldest days. An enslaved attendant would be tasked with the continuous work of maintaining the fire.
Many older homes have poor insulation, allowing heat to get into your air-conditioned home. Thermal insulation is most often used to keep a home warm during the winter, but it works for the summer months too.
Cracks in walls, doors, and windows are the top cause of house heat loss. If you notice such cracks, seal them with caulk or foam (whichever is appropriate), and install weather stripping around doors and windows. A quick fix for drafty windows or sliding glass doors is installing heavy drapes.