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How to Find the Right Fireplace for Your Home

By Paula Hendrickson

While the crackle and aroma of a wood-burning fireplace creates a relaxing environment, lighting fires and cleaning up ashes can be exhausting. Luckily, the traditional woodburning unit is just one of many styles available for today’s homeowner.

“The majority of people want gas,” says Kevin Obee, general manager of Benson Stone Co., in Rockford. “Gas units have come a long way in the past 20 years.”

Most modern units are ultra-efficient and fit into most spaces – new or existing.

Before you go shopping, be sure to know your lingo.

Open Vent vs. Direct Vent: While both systems exhaust fumes outdoors, open-vent systems – like traditional fireplaces – draw in air from the room. They’re less efficient than a sealed directvent system, which pulls combustion air from outside your home.

Wood Burners: High-efficiency wood fireplaces and inserts offer the look of a traditional wood fire without as much heat loss. Modern models have fans that blow the heat back into the room. Sealed combustion systems also mean you’re not using indoor air to fuel the fire.

Gas Logs: They’re found in both open-vent fireplaces and direct-vent inserts. Most of today’s log units are made to radiate more heat than models made just a decade or two ago. Using his own fireplace as an example, Obee says he usually runs his gas log system on the high setting with the furnace set around 72.

“It actually saves me money every single time I use it, because I’m not using my furnace to heat the same space,” says Obee.

Electric: In situations where installing a gas line or proper venting would be impractical or expensive, some homeowners opt instead for electric fireplaces.

Obee estimates that direct-vent units put out anywhere from four to 10 times as much heat as an electric fireplace, so these models are best for ambiance alone.

Whatever system and style you choose, adding a functional hearth to your home is an investment that can pay off over time by reducing heating costs and increasing the value of your home – not to mention that warm and cozy feeling it provides on a chilly evening. ❚

Benson Stone Co. is located at 1100 11th St., Rockford, (815) 227-2000.

By Pat Szpekowski

The hawk may be blowing and the snow falling, but that’s no excuse to forego playing a round of golf at Pottawatomie Golf Course in St. Charles.

“Cold months are the ideal time to play indoor virtual golf and perfect your skills,” says Ron Skubisz, course manager and PGA Professional. “Our Foresight GC Quad Launch Simulator, which we tried to launch in March 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic, had an inauspicious beginning. But ever since we opened it up, it has been very popular.”

What are the advantages of a simulator? It is very precise and provides data on ball and swing speed, carry, roll and distance, path, contact and more. All of that information can improve your swing.

“You’ll see your strengths and weaknesses as you work on your irons, woods and hybrid clubs,” says Skubisz. “How are you hitting the ball? Is it dead center? A simulator doesn’t lie. It delivers the truth on club head performance. The ultimate goal, of course, is to achieve better knowledge of your golf game and how to improve it.”

Play the simulator alone or join with one, two or three friends. Choose from 20 of the world’s most challenging and beautiful courses, all faithfully reproduced to deliver a true-to-life simulation.

Virtually play the legendary course at Pebble Beach on the California Monterey Coast or follow the footsteps of legends at the Old St. Andrews links course in Scotland.

Other options include nine-hole courses, swingaway or practice on the virtual driving range.

It takes about an hour for one person to play 18 holes. Add an hour for each playing partner.

“It’s a good deal to play golf when

Pottawatomie Golf Course closes Dec. 23, weather permitting, but its new simulator works all winter long.

you see 2 inches of snow outside,” Skubisz says.

Of course, those diehards who prefer to be outside can still bundle up and play the nine-hole Pottawatomie course outside until Dec. 23, weather permitting.

Find out more details on rates, reservations and hours at stcparks.org. ❚

Pottawatomie Golf Course is located at 845 N. Second Ave., St. Charles, (630) 584-8356.