A fireplace can be one of the most beautiful and comforting features in a home. If you’ve just moved in, you should never light it without a safety check. Whether your fireplace is wood-burning, gas, or pellet, here’s your step-by-step guide to making sure it’s safe, efficient, and ready to enjoy.
1. Schedule a Level II Chimney Inspection
Per NFPA 211, a home sale requires a Level II chimney inspection before use. This includes:
Camera scan of the entire flue
Check for cracks, gaps, and damaged liners
Verification of proper clearances to combustibles
Identification of creosote buildup, blockages, or prior fire damage
Fireplace Expert Tip: Even “unused” fireplaces can have hidden problems from years ago. Nests, rusted dampers, or cracked tiles can create safety hazards.
2. Identify Your Fireplace Type
You’ll need to know if it’s:
Masonry Fireplace – Built of brick or stone with a clay/stainless flue liner
Factory-Built Fireplace – Prefabricated steel unit with specific clearance rules
Insert or Stove – A sealed appliance inside an existing opening
Knowing the type determines clearance requirements, fuel options, and upgrade possibilities.
3. Check Critical Clearances
Mantel Clearance: Most wood units require at least 12″ above the opening (more for deep mantels)
Side Trim Clearance: Minimum 6″ from the firebox opening
Hearth Extension: At least 16″ in front of the opening (20″ if opening > 6 sq. ft.)
Clearances are there to protect your home from pyrolysis, the slow, dangerous lowering of ignition temperature in nearby wood over time. Checking clearances is also something that should occur during your Level 2 Chimney Inspection, but we feel it is important for you to have this info available should you need it.
Remember, anything written here is based on currently available laws, codes and standards. Do not use information provided on fireplaceexperts.com as the sole source of information for any installation, service or related trades.
4. Match the Fireplace to Your Heating Goals
An open fireplace is beautiful but highly inefficient, often losing more heat than it provides. Decide if you want it for:
Ambiance Only – Keep it as-is with proper maintenance
Supplemental Heat – Add a high-efficiency insert or stove
Primary Zone Heat – Install an EPA-certified wood or pellet insert for maximum output
5. Address Draft and Safety Issues
Common problems in older fireplaces:
Cold air spilling in (Cold Hearth Syndrome)
Creosote buildup
Damper that won’t seal
Flue size mismatch
Solutions can include chimney height adjustments, flue liners, and top-sealing dampers for off-season energy savings.
6. Burn the Right Fuel
Use only seasoned hardwood (<20% moisture) for wood-burning systems
Never burn garbage, pressure-treated wood, or driftwood
For gas systems, ensure the burner and pilot assembly are serviced before use
7. Install Safety Equipment
Smoke detectors on every floor
Carbon monoxide detectors near sleeping areas
Child safety gate
- Hearth pad and/or mantel shield
8. Plan for Annual Maintenance
Chimneys must be swept at least once a year (more if you burn frequently)
Gasket and seal checks for inserts and stoves
Annual service for gas valves, burners, and safety shutoffs
9. Consider Efficiency Upgrades
If you want to boost performance:
Gasketed Insert: The #1 way to turn a fireplace into a real heater
Top-Sealing Damper: Reduces energy loss when not in use
Chimney Chase Insulation: For exterior chimneys, keeps the system warmer and draft stronger
Heat Exchanger: For open fireplaces only, to push more warm air into the room
Note: Glass doors on an open fireplace are decorative and for spark protection only! Glass fireplace doors do not seal the unit or improve heating efficiency.
Bottom Line: Before you light that first fire, get the system inspected, confirm safe clearances, and decide if you want ambiance or real heating performance. The right setup gives you beauty, warmth, and safety for years to come.
At The Stove Shop Fireplace Experts in Phoenixville, PA we are honored to use our experience to help you find the perfect hearth appliance. Fireplaces and stoves across wood, gas, pellet and electric are our passion. If you have any questions, please contact The Stove Shop today!
