I’m a fireplace fan

When this writer had a gas fireplace installed in his new Montreal home, he did it for one reason and one reason only: He wasn’t living in Quebec during the infamous ice storm of ’98, but he has heard many a tale of woe from those who were. People forced from their homes after days without power—and the terrible damage wreaked by a myriad of bursting pipes once power was restored and the thaw set in.

Should we ever experience an event like that again, my gas fireplace should at least give me a chance of riding out the storm in my own home. The heat generated from the fireplace will keep me warm and will stop my water pipes from freezing.

And there’s more. Since the fireplace was installed, I’ve discovered a few other benefits, too.

Beautiful
Really! Is there anything that looks more beautiful than the warm glow of a fire on a cold, dark winter’s evening? Perfect for curling up in front of, with a hot drink and a good book.

Relaxing
There’s something about a fireplace that relaxes both the body and the spirit. Is it the warm glow, or the gently flickering flames? I suspect a healthy serving of both.

Warm
Most home insulation in northern latitudes is designed to keep the cold at bay—not the dampness. That’s why your home feels warmer when it’s -20 outside than it does when it’s +3 and raining. A fireplace and the fireplace blowers will dry out the humidity in the air, making your home feel warmer.

My gas-fueled fire and its powerful fireplace blower fan is the favorite part of my home—I wouldn’t live without it.

How about you...are you a fireplace fan?