My fireplace

[George K]

As I mentioned in another thread, I installed a "smart thermostat", an EcoBee3 lite, so that we can have more control over the HVAC in our condo.

When we bought the place, we had a gas fireplace installed, thinking it might be nice for ambience, and perhaps for heating the place up if needed.

Yesterday was a not particularly cold day in Chicago, in the high 20s, low 30s. Mrs. George ran the fireplace a couple of times.

The EcoBee keeps the data of the HVAC and you can look at how it's been functioning. Currently, I have it set to keep the condo at about 72 degrees in the daytime, and letting it cool to about 68 for sleep.

Look at the white line (indoor temperature) and you can see the two bumps where the fireplace was turned on. Even more interesting, however, is that the HVAC didn't turn on between about 1PM yesterday afternoon and 5AM today. It didn't run for 14 hours.

Similar data from Saturday to Sunday when it was quite a bit colder outdoors.

Of course, having 4 of our six "surfaces" being warmed by neighbors helps, but...

[Mik]

We have a gas fireplace too, but t is only about 12 feet from our thermostat. When we run it the family room is plenty warm but the rest of the house gets cold.