Buying Electric Fireplaces

Is A Fireplace An Adequate Source Of Heat For A Rental Property?

I am currently renting a two bedroom one bath house which has a wood burning fire place as its only source of heat. I wake up ever morning to a freezing cold house and have to start a fire to have some heat. This week is suppost to get down into the 20′s. I have a four year old who can’t sleep in her own bed because it’s too cold.. I’ve ask the landlod to install some kind of heat, gas, oil or electric but he has refused stating that it would be my responsibility to add heating to the home. I don’t think it is so because this would be an improvement to the house and I don’t have the money for that. Is there anything I can do to make my landlord put in proper heat?

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January 1st, 2010 | Posted In Electric Fireplace FAQ
  1. Comment by zackbarr
    January 1, 2010 @ 11:05 am

    You need to contact your local legal aid office and get help. You do not have to live in an unheated house, and fireplaces are not very effective heat providers- most leak more air than heat produced.

  2. Comment by lorenzo
    January 1, 2010 @ 2:32 pm

    First off, a fireplace is different from a wood stove. A fireplace is about 17% efficient. They are more for looks than a heat source. If you add a blower, the efficiency rises to about 35%. but mainly if you are nearby the fire. Sounds as though you might have to use electric baseboard heaters, or electric space heaters. Wood stoves do work, but you probably also need some fans to move the heat where you are. How about electric blankets?

  3. Comment by Laptop Jesus (Happy Holidays)
    January 1, 2010 @ 2:46 pm

    It’s too cold for your child and you. Please buy a portable space heater. If you don’t have the money for one, ask the Red Cross if they can help. Here is a link to what I’m talking about. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605… We have one of these for heat in a cold bedroom in my house. It doesnt cost a lot to run.

  4. Comment by tinman97
    January 1, 2010 @ 9:15 pm

    First go to your local housing authority,what they are doing sounds very dodgy..Small electric space heaters can be somewhat effective, but they can’t be expected to be an absolute answer.

  5. Comment by Dogma (puppy due July 25th)
    January 1, 2010 @ 10:06 pm

    What a terrible situation! You may have better luck in the legal section.

  6. Comment by MIKE P
    January 2, 2010 @ 1:03 am

    Move …

  7. Comment by StillSta
    January 2, 2010 @ 7:43 am

    No. A fireplace is not usually considered a heating system. More typically, it’s considered decoration. To adequately heat a house with wood typically requires an insert for the fireplace or a stove… higher heat, slower combustion.
    Really hard to say how to get something like that enforced as it depends on your location, enforcement agency, rental agreement, etc. To avoid the hassle, space heater(s) might help. Oil filled. Some good information:http://www.consumersearch.com/space-heat…
    One in each bedroom might be a good start.
    Good luck.

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