Fireplace (Howe, Carbon: how much, motel, new house)

[panacea82]

I am building a home. Want to get rid of fireplace since I am pretty sure I will never use it. But the agent told me it would be a bad idea since most people want to have it. But seriously .. a lot of people use fireplace in DFW?

[TurtleCreek80]

Some people- like my family- use them religiously from November to Feb/March (or May 1st when it's 48 degrees outside!). Other people like to have them to have a focal point for furniture and to use the mantle. Many people like both indoor & outdoor fireplaces.

Bottom line- I would not scrap your fireplace.

[ChristieP]

I acree with TC80. A house without a fireplace will negatively affect your resale. If possible, put in gas logs to avoid the mess of a wood-burning fireplace.

[escanlan]

Originally Posted by panacea82

I am building a home. Want to get rid of fireplace since I am pretty sure I will never use it. But the agent told me it would be a bad idea since most people want to have it. But seriously .. a lot of people use fireplace in DFW?

Don't get rid of it as many do want one even if they don't plan to use it.

Just make sure that it is built properly. I would also have your builder explain and actually demonstrate the use of the fireplace as part of your final walkthrough and briefing, or at least have them build one fire and demonstrate it in your first year. This is to make 100% certain that it does function and there were no problems with it when built. Have the builder explain not only the use but how it was built and also show you the chimney and/or flue and where it was run, etc. It does not happen often but there are installation errors for factory built fireplaces and full brick fireplaces. Have them also explain how to handle the potential issues that can arise with a fireplace.

These are some links to help understand fireplace and chimney safety.
Chimney Safety Institute of America
USFA Fireplace and Home Fire Safety
CPSC Issues Fireplace Safety Tips

Also make sure that your new home is equipped with either combination fire/smoke/Carbon Monoxide alarms or you have adequate CO alarms installed! For the importance of CO detectors here are a couple of links.

CO Headquarters - Home Page
Carbon Monoxide | Poisoning | Awareness | Detectors | Alarms

Good luck and enjoy your new home!

[FarNorthDallas]

Yes, get a fireplace with a mantle. How will Santa Claus get in? Where will you hang the stockings? We do use our gas fireplace in the winter for atmosphere more than anything. Gas logs don't put out a lot of heat.

[loves2read]

If electricity goes out your NG heater won't burn--
your fireplace heat might be the only thing between you and trying to find a motel that is still open...

And I would say build a wood burning fireplace not a gas fireplace where the chimney does not work--
that is what our new house has and frankly we never use it--to me that is just an open flame heater--

did not realize how much we would miss our old fireplace when we moved

[racehorse]

I hate to say it, but don't get rid of your fireplace. I lived in a house for nine years here that had a fireplace that we never, ever used. The previous owners never used it either. 20 years and never used!

In our new house, we have a fireplace that I suspect has never been used and I doubt we'll ever use it. For me a fireplace is neutral to negative. However, enough people like them that it will affect your resale value not to have one.