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Does Running a Fireplace Save on Energy Costs?

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Sitting in front of your fireplace creates a cozy and relaxing ambiance, but does running it save on your energy costs?

If you’re looking for alternate ways to lower your energy costs this winter, Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning and Heating can help. We’ll answer your questions regarding your fireplace and help you determine other ways to heat your home efficiently and save on energy costs.

Our St. Louis HVAC technicians are available 24/7 for heating services for your home.

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As always, the Hoffmann technician Zach was polite, professional, and efficient. Pricing is reasonable and even more importantly, they are dependable. I will continue to use Thomas Hoffman A/C and Heating.
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Hoffman is great! Very professional and thorough.
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Giovanni was great today! Thanks for everything.
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The technician is always on time and very thorough.
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Giovanni was good…. This is reason we ask for him
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Our service technician arrived right on time and was professional, friendly, efficient and courteous. We couldn’t ask for more.
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Ryan was here on time. Thanks for getting here early, as I requested. Very friendly too. It was my annual checkup and all good!
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I'm a new customer and had my first appointment for furnace check.My tech was Zack and what a professional. He explained how he checked system and answered all my questions. This was a very good experience
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Thomas Hoffman is a wonderful company to work with. Techs are knowledgeable, personable & efficient.
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I called on December 25th at midnight and started leaving a message and Thomas Hoffman the owner called me back almost immediately. He said he would come out the next morning between 8:00 and 10:00 am snd he was promptly on time. He fixed my problem and while he was there I decided to get an estimate for a new furnace and air conditioning unit. The price was very reasonable and the installers one of them being his son were both very professional very courteous, polite, arrived on time and finished the same day. I enjoy knowing that I now have the support of Thomas Hoffman heating and air conditioning along with the peace of mind that comes with owning a Trane. Nothing stops a Trane.

Albert Koesterer
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The Thomas Hoffmann team did a great job taking care of our semi annual HVAC maintenance. They not only worked with us to schedule the visit, but also did an excellent job sending us reminders on when they would be out.
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Nick was excellent. Super profession, quick, and up front with the pricing (which was fair). Hopefully we don't need to call anyone to fix our AC again, but if we do - I'm calling Nick!
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Same day service. Technician arrived as scheduled. Replaced capacitor quickly. Friendly technician. Repair cost $429 seemed high for inexpensive part and 20 minutes labor.
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Thomas Hoffmann is the most professional and courteous of all the HVAC companies in St. Louis. It has kept my HVAC systems in good working order through the hottest and coldest days for many years.
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I notified two companies at the same time regarding a malfunctioning AC unit and Wow! Super fast response from Hoffmann on a weekend no less, to fix our AC unit. Hoffmann’s tech responded to my call immediately and fixed our AC before Galmiche has even responded. Used to be a Galmiche customer, but will use Thomas Hoffmann from here on out!
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Ryan did a great job with my AC reinstall. Very knowledgeable company with Tom Hoffmann providing the engineering expertise.
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These guy's are amazing same day service very well priced for the knowledge they have ask before doing anything to confirm they're my new go to
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They came very fast to fix our AC and service was very good
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My ac compressor was replaced. They always do a good job and they are always available when you need them.I think the price was a little too high since they only had to change the compressor in my unit. The compressor was under the warranty. Other than that Im very satisfied with the job the technician did.
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I was very pleased with your service. Prompt response would was most appreciated. The technician was very knowledgeable and prepared for the work. Also he was very personable and professional.
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Speedy and knowledgeable service!
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Thank goodness for them coming out so quickly. Got our whole job done and we are COOL again. Thanks so much!!!
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Had an amazing experience with Thomas Hoffman. They were very professional and solved the problem quickly. I would highly recommend!
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Nick was a true expert in explaining our options for a new thermostat.
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Zac did our service today. A very professional and courteous young man.
He did a thorough inspection and cleaning on our HVAC system.
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I've used these guys twice now and their response time is great, they are friendly, informative, and most importantly, effective. I'm calling these folks every time my furnace sounds weird.
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Excellent place to work with and installation crew were A+. They were able to get my new AC and Furnace installed quickly. I have breathing issues and disabled so this was a GREAT experience. If you need AC or Furnace installed this is your place.
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Fast, super friendly, and reasonable prices keep us coming back.
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Zachary was very friendly, efficient and knowledgable. He was able to service both units in 1 hour. I would recommend Thomas Hoffmann A/C for any future needs for me.
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Great service and went the extra mile for us . We would most definitely use them again
Response from the owner:Thank you, Andre, for your kind words and for recognizing our efforts; we can't wait to serve you again!

Can Running Your Fireplace Save Money?

Everyone loves sitting in front of a toasty fireplace on a chilly night. A warm fire creates a cozy atmosphere and heats your living room. But can the extra heat help you save on your energy bill? Some fireplaces are energy efficient, and others are not. So to answer this question, we need to look more closely at the type of fireplace you have in your home.

Wood-Burning Fireplace

A classic wood-burning fireplace provides the most traditional source of heat. However, they are also the least cost-effective for your heating bill. When using a wood-burning fireplace, 80-90% of all the heat generated escapes from the chimney. Also, when your fireplace dies down after use, you must leave the flu open until the fire stops smoking, typically overnight. During this time, your home’s heat is sucked right out of your chimney.

Gas Fireplace

Gas fireplaces burn natural gas instead of wood. While they are similar in structure to a wood-burning fireplace, they generally contain ceramic logs that create the illusion of burning wood. They are very convenient to use, as they can be switched on and off at the touch of a remote or button. While they preserve more heat than a wood-burning fireplace, they still lose around 75% of the heat they generate. The cost of the natural gas you burn can increase your heating bill.

Gas Insert

A gas insert is a metal box that sits inside another metal box, usually fitted over a wood-burning fireplace. The air between the two layers of metal is heated and emitted outward. It’s similar to a traditional gas-burning fireplace, except it retains significantly more heat. With a gas insert, only 20-30% of the heat produced is lost because it’s not escaping out of the chimney. However, the downside to these fireplaces is, once again, the cost of propane or natural gas.

Electric Fireplace

An electric fireplace doesn’t require wood or gas to operate. They draw cool air inward, heat it with coils, and then pump the warm air back out. Many units can change the color and ferocity of the artificial flames, making them highly customizable.

Of all the different fireplaces we’ve considered, electric fireplaces are the most cost-effective and heat-effective. Only about 1% of the heat they produce is lost. There’s no smoke or gas to worry about, either. However, while this option may lower your gas bill, it may increase your electric bill. You would need to determine the cost difference between the two to decide which choice is best for you.

In Conclusion

In short, having a fireplace can be cozy and inviting during the cold winter months, but they aren’t a good option when saving money on your utility bills. It’s more cost-effective to use your fireplace to enjoy on occasion, not as a supplemental heating source for your home.

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At Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating, we pride ourselves on being a locally owned and operated HVAC company. With more than 30 years of experience and a master technician and mechanical engineer as our owner, we can replace, repair, and maintain your business or home’s HVAC system.

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