Whether you’re snuggled up reading a book, watching your favourite show or entertaining guests, a fireplace certainly provides an inviting atmosphere to savour the winter indoors.
Types of fireplaces
There are many types of fireplaces available nowadays to fit your needs and lifestyle. From freestanding to inserts or wall-mounted, here are some common ones:
- Wood-burning: A traditional fireplace with a hearth usually featuring a brick or stone facade that may be open or partially or fully covered with glass, with smoke exiting through a chimney. Another type is a wood-burning stove that is freestanding made of steel or iron. These fireplaces are often favoured for the nice aroma it emits.
- Gas: A gas fireplace is similar to a wood-burning one with live flames but fueled by the gas supply from your home instead of wood, making them more efficient and easier to maintain.
- Electric: An electric fireplace is powered by electricity to produce heat and does not use live flames. This uses light to simulate flames and are usually inexpensive and require little maintenance.
Since wood-burning and gas fireplaces use live flames to generate heat, it’s essential to learn fire safety and perform regular maintenance.
Tips when using a wood-burning or gas fireplace
The Government of Ontario provides tips for fireplace safety, such as:
- Ensure woodstoves, fireplaces and inserts are installed by a qualified technician.
- Have the heating system, vent and chimneys inspected and cleaned annually by a qualified technician.
- Always use a fire screen in front of a fireplace.
- Make sure to read the full text here: https://www.ontario.ca/page/fire-safety-home#section-4
In addition, the Ontario Municipal Fire Prevention Officers Association has helpful tips on chimney and fire safety that you can read here.
Does a fireplace need insurance?
A fireplace is usually included under your home insurance policy.
A wood burning stove may have additional insurance needs
This type of heat source may incur an additional cost on your insurance policy due to the increased risk of fire that this brings. Most insurance companies will require that a questionnaire be completed (by you or your broker), including proper installation and inspection.
- Check if you need a permit from the province and/or the municipality to install a wood stove. Hire a qualified technician to do the job – your insurance company will most likely require that the wood stove is installed professionally and up to code.
- Your insurance company will require a WETT inspection to be able to provide insurance for your home with a wood stove. You can find out more about WETT inspections here.
- There are a number of other factors that insurance companies consider before providing coverage for a wood-burning stove. Before you install one, or if you already have one and want to learn more, contact your insurance broker.
Sources:
The Government of Ontario: https://www.ontario.ca/page/fire-safety-home#section-4
Ontario Municipal Fire Prevention Officers Association: https://omfpoa.com/helpful-forms-and-tips/
Wood Energy Technology Transfer Inc. (WETT Inc.): https://www.wettinc.ca/about
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