New Year, New Fireplace

New Year’s resolutions are a tradition, even though most of us don’t stick to ours for more than a few months. However, resolving to tackle the home improvement projects we’ve been putting off is one to see through. If you’ve had an “I’ll get to it eventually” attitude about upgrading your fireplace, now’s the time to say, “Let’s get it done!”

Here’s why the New Year, New Fireplace isn’t just a catch phrase; it’s a smart move for homeowners heading into 2026.

Fireplaces Age Even If You Don’t Use Them Often

Fireplaces seem sturdy; they’re solid brick, after all. But they take a beating year after year. Temperature extremes, moisture, creosote, settling foundations, and chimney wear add up. If you’ve neglected your chimney and fireplace for the last decade, the system could be in rougher shape than you think. Common issues that crop up include:

• Cracked chimney crowns
• Flaking or spalling bricks
• Deteriorating mortar joints
• Blocked or partially blocked flues
• Outdated or inefficient fireplace inserts
• Damaged dampers that don’t open or seal properly

Even if you rarely light your fireplace, moisture can enter the chimney, animals can build nests, and structural components can weaken over time. New Year’s is the perfect time to get ahead of these issues before next winter.

2026 is a Great Year for Efficiency Upgrades

Energy efficiency upgrades have exploded in recent years, and 2026 looks to be one of the best years to improve your home’s heating system for greater efficiency. Whether you use a traditional wood-burning fireplace or an older gas unit, modern technology offers dramatic improvements.

High-efficiency wood inserts can transform an open hearth, where 80% of heat escapes, into a powerful heating appliance that delivers steady warmth while using less wood.

Gas insert upgrades offer cleaner combustion, safer operation, and more consistent heat. Many older gas fireplaces have poor seals, outdated venting, or inefficient burners that waste fuel.

Electric fireplaces, once considered purely decorative, now offer convincing flame effects, significantly improved heat output, and smart-home connectivity.

Energy prices are constantly in flux, and upgrading your fireplace in 2026 is a smart way to reduce winter heating costs and improve your home’s comfort.

Winter Safety Starts With a Clean, Maintained Chimney

Fireplaces are wonderful, until something goes wrong. Chimney neglect is one of the most common causes of home heating fires, and the New Year is the natural time to resolve to get a professional inspection and cleaning and fix any damage that could impact performance or safety. Professional maintenance helps prevent:

• Highly flammable Creosote buildup
• Chimney fires, which can reach temperatures of over 2000°F
• Carbon monoxide leaks, especially in gas fireplaces with faulty venting
• Smoke draft problems, which can send smoke back into the home
• Structural chimney damage, which gets worse and more dangerous over time

A certified chimney sweep will check for blockages, animal nests, damaged flue liners, and signs of damage that the average homeowner might miss. Getting these issues fixed early in the year gives you peace of mind that your chimney and fireplace are working correctly and efficiently during the winter season.

2026 Trends: Style and Function

For most homeowners, the fireplace is the centerpiece of the living room, and 2026 design trends make it a great time to refresh the look. If your current setup looks straight out of 1998 or, heaven forbid, the 70s, it’s time to modernize. Popular updates include:

• Linear gas fireplaces with sleek, minimalistic lines
• Stone and tile surrounds that create a dynamic and dramatic focal point
• Rustic-modern mantels that blend wood with metal accents
• Open-concept remodels that relocate or make the fireplace bigger and more dramatic

Updating your fireplace changes the room’s look and can increase the home’s value, especially when combined with safety and efficiency improvements.

Call Wells & Sons Today!

Call the chimney and fireplace pros at Wells & Sons for more ideas on upgrading your fireplace or to schedule a chimney cleaning and inspection so you’re ready for next winter. We’re the go-to fireplace company in Allentown, Pottstown, and Phoenixville, offering high-quality workmanship and outstanding customer service.