A fireplace can provide your house with warmth and reduce your heating costs. However, it is imperative to keep it in tip-top condition. If you take good care of your fireplace, it will stay in good shape for a long time. Here are five helpful tips for maintaining your fireplace.

Clean the Interior

One of the most important things you can do for your fireplace is clean the interior at least a few times a month. Keeping the interior clean will not just make your fireplace more presentable; it will also help the fireplace burn more efficiently. You can easily scrape off the creosote and other materials with a metal chimney brush.

Burn Hardwood

If you want to have a good experience with your fireplace, you need to burn the right type of wood. Although softwood is cheaper, it can be quite difficult to clean up. If you pay a little extra for hardwood, it will burn longer and is a lot easier to clean up. Some great hardwoods include maple, ash, oak and birch. 

Install a Heat Proof Glass Door

If you want to prevent your fireplace from losing too much heat, you should install a heat proof glass door. This door will not just protect against heat loss; it will also prevent embers from coming out of your fireplace. Installing a heat proof glass door can help improve both efficiency and safety. 

Get Your Fireplace Inspected Annually

Whether you live in an old or new home, it is essential to get your fireplace inspected once a year by a professional like B C Fireplace Service Inc. A professional will inspect all of the components of your fireplace to make sure they are working efficiently. An inspection will cost some extra money, but it will at least keep your fireplace efficient and safe.

Install a Stainless Steel Liner

It is also a good idea to install a stainless steel liner in your fireplace to increase safety. One of these liners will help contain the fire and embers in the fireplace.

Maintaining a fireplace will take some extra time, but it is certainly worth the effort. If you follow these helpful tips, you will keep your fireplace in good shape. However, if your fireplace still is not working as efficiently as it should, have a professional look at it as soon as possible. He can fully inspect the fireplace and determine what is wrong with it.