home insulation.
Whether we believe in ‘global warming’ or not, there is no getting away from the fact that energy costs are on an ever upward climb, and anything we can do to reduce our useage, and thus our bills, is welcome.
If you have already got your stone fireplace installed and are comfortable with burning wood, in either a stove or an open fire, then you already saving money on fuel. If however your house is poorly insulated, then the heat you are producing is probably being wasted as it escapes via various routes from your home.
Insulation technology of residential dwellings has improved massively as the rising costs of fuel have opened our eyes. The current building regs include high standards for insulation of floors; walls; roofs; and windows, where 20 years ago it probably included just putting 50 mm of fibreglass roll into your roof space!
Now a house that has kingspan in the roof.. the thicker the better, Kingspan on the walls, and probably too in the floor, can retain a very large proportion of the heat that your house produces.
Of course an open fire is not the most efficient heating source, but without doubt it is the most attractive! What could be better than a stone fireplace housing a big log fire that is roaring away and warming your life. A stove of course looks nearly as good, but at the same time gives a better amount of heat into the house, and less escapes up the chimney.