Many homeowners believe that their prefab fireplace will last just as long as a masonry chimney, however, unfortunately, this is just not true. Although a prefabricated fireplace is a nice, cheap alternative to an open hearth chimney system, usually what you gain in economic savings is sacrificed in durability and longevity. At TN Chimney & Home, we want to give you some guidance on how prefab fireplace longevity and on prefab fireplace change outs.
Prefabricated fireplaces
Prefabricated (Prefab) fireplaces are a factory built, complete system appliance that operates similarly to an open hearth. However, prefab fireplaces are made of metal and can use alternative fuels such as gas and electricity. Prefab fireplaces have to meet testing standards before they leave the factory to assure both safety and sometimes efficiency. Most of the time, prefab fireplaces are easier to place in your home, are more efficient and require less maintenance than an open hearth system. However, open-hearth systems are designed and constructed to last and have a much longer lifespan than a prefab fireplace.
How long will my prefabricated chimney last?
There are a lot of factors that can determine how long your prefab fireplace will last. Just like any other product, not all prefab fireplaces are created equal. Different manufacturers create different models of fireplaces that vary in quality.
Other factors that affect your prefab fireplace longevity are:
- is how often you use it,
- the type of fuel you are using,
- and how often you maintain it.
If you keep your chimney maintained and have annual inspections from a CSIA-certified chimney sweep, you might be able to get 20 – 30 years out of your prefab fireplace. However, a more realistic expectancy would be 10 – 15 years.
Changing your system out
Changing your prefab fireplace out doesn’t have to be a bother. At TN Chimney & Home, we can help! Instead of dealing with removing your old system, trying to find someone to haul it away and installing the new system on your own, we can do all of that for you. In fact, installing a new prefabricated system can be hard work and certain safety standards and building codes must be met. You could be putting yourself in a hazardous situation if you ignore it.
If you feel like your prefab fireplace isn’t working like it used to, contact a CSIA chimney sweep to inspect it and determine if you need a new chimney. If you live in the Knoxville area, we are still your only CSIA-certified chimney sweep. Call us today at (865) 922-2262, or go to our scheduling page today to set up an appointment to have your prefab fireplace looked at today.
