When I first moved into my new home, I loved the fireplace.
I thought it would be a great accent during the holidays, and when it got frigid, I could supplement my heat with the fireplace.
I didn’t realize how much noise the fireplace would make when it got windy. I sat in the living room with my daughter one evening, and we could hear a shriek coming from the fireplace. My daughter thought it sounded funny, but I found it annoying. I remember the realtor telling me we had a singing fireplace, and I was wondering if this was what she was talking about? The wind was causing the screeching howl that was getting on my B nerves. She told me we could have the fireplace repaired, but it was going to be expensive. I wasn’t sure I wanted to pay more for a new fireplace, or if I wanted it removed and a better HVAC system installed. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do, so I talked to my dad and asked his opinion. He told me he would come over and look at the fireplace, but he had to see it before he could give his opinion. I was really grateful when dad showed up. He said it was going to cost quite a bit to make the repairs, but to remove the fireplace would be just as expensive. He asked if I had considered a fireplace insert, which would allow me to keep the fireplace and use it for heat without needing to make repairs or cut wood.