It took almost an entire year, however finally I got to use our stone fireplace! I live so far down south that sometimes a whole year will go by with no cold weather at all. Our winters tend to be genuinely short as well as mild, which is why so numerous “snowbird” senior citizens flock here in the Winter months. I bought this house partially because it had a lovely stone fireplace in the sunken kitchen… Call it silly if you must, however this is something I have regularly wanted. I lived here for 11 months before we got our first cold snap, as well as you better believe I got that fireplace blazing every single night the temps were low. I turned off the central furnace, as well as then cracked a window to let in a breeze. The fireplace catches so much faster if there is a crossbreeze to feed the flames. After a couple hours I noticed how cold the rest of the house was. The fireplace kept the entire room toasty as well as warm, however had no effect on the kitchens or powder rooms. I had to turn the furnace back on, because I was too cold to go pee! The following few afternoons I built a fire every evening, however this time I left the furnace on, just for the side rooms. I know it seems silly to run the furnace while using the fireplace as well as having a window open, however so what? I will not get to use the fireplace for another year, so I want to like it while I can.