The old-fashioned fireplace was a paradox. It was the designated spot to start a room-warming fire, yet, because of the physics of rising warm air, most of the heat went right up the chimney. Most modern fireplace options have solved that problem, so today even the most energy-conscious consumer can sit down comfortably in front of a fire and enjoy!

THE ROMANCE OF FIRE Who doesn't love a fire? A fireplace adds instant ambience to any room. Curl up with a good book in front of a crackling fire in your den. Toast your toes in your bedroom as you read in the glow of gentle firelight. Or draw the most decadent bath ever–with a fire to light your newly renovated bathroom. New, innovative fireplace options allow you to add fireplaces in unexpected places such as attics, basements and screened-in porches. Here are some things to consider when adding a fireplace to your home.

WOOD FIRES To the true fire lover, a wood-burning fireplace has everything: crackling logs, glowing embers, fragrant smoke. A woodburning fire delights all of our senses. It also requires some work–buying or chopping wood, locating kindling and cleaning up ash–but fire fans love the process as much as the end result. Woodburning fireplaces that incorporate wood stoves and fireplace inserts allow more heat efficiency than the open fireplaces of the past. Plus, there are cleaner-burning fuels such as wood pellets and manufactured fire logs.

THE FLIP OF A SWITCH Gas fireplaces offer several things a wood fire can't: instant flame and heat at the flip of a switch, more and controllable warmth, less mess and more safety. So if you're looking for the convenience of fast fire, go gas.

A gas fireplace offers you two options: vented or vent-free logs. Your choice will be based on what type of fire ambience you want, how much heat efficiency you need and where you want to install the fireplace.

If you love the look of a large, realistic wood-burning fire, you'll want vented logs. This type of fireplace operates with an open chimney flue, which means that it's also less heat-efficient because much of the generated heat from the fire goes right up the chimney.

Vent-free logs operate with the chimney flue closed and therefore deliver a more efficient heat output. The drawback is that you don't get that gorgeous roaring fire. Vent-free logs are essentially vent-free heaters. But for homeowners who are looking for a heat source as well as the ambience of a fire, this may be the best choice. Most vent-free log fireplaces feature a thermostatic control that allows you to crank it up on cold mornings, turn it down when it gets too hot and maintain a consistent room temperature. Because vent-free heaters add moisture to the air, your contractor will help you determine the best room placement for ventilation to avoid mildew problems.