I should also pitch in here to mention that some great advances in fireplace construction over the past few years are making it less of a heat-loser. Sure, where there’s a chimney there’s always heat loss up the flue — but some of the new gas fireplaces in particular (and even the wood-burning ones) seem to be making strides in that department.

Not like back in the olden days of those huge open hearths where you could roast half an ox in one go, eh? (But you know, I’d secretly love one of those.)

The main point is that there are lots and lots of energy conservation activities for the home that are both simple to do and cheap to do. We’ve started to compile a list here on this page of our blog: http://dailyhomerenotips.com/energy-conservation/ . Most are common sense but you might be surprised just how many are simple and cheap that you are not doing but can very easily and inexpensively.

If you find that you have a energy conservation tip you want to share that is not on our list, just let us know and we’d be very happy to add it to our ever growing energy conservation tips list.

Dan