wood stove vs fireplace

[MarkP]

For the record, open fireplaces are pathetically inefficient, although they are really great for creating a mood. If a shallow Rumford design is installed and if it is operated correctly they actually generate some heat, but bottom line is they are the bottom of the barrel efficiency wise. The only heat that escapes an open fire is radiant heat. All the rest gets sucked up the chimney. So, an open fireplace would heat you, the furniture, the walls, anything in line of sight. Meanwhile, the air will be outdoor temperature, cause that's where it came from seconds before. That can be enough though, if you are hardy and like to play with your fire. Results may vary though in terms of the quality of the fire. Building a chimney that draws well is apparently somewhat of a lost art. Even the geometry of the fire makes a difference in how efficiently it burns.