Well, Wesley, a fireplace is a romantic thing. However my newspaper just had an article on them. A fire in it sucks air out of the whole house and sends it up the flue.

Up goes the heating bill!

They suggested closing off the room where the fireplace then opening a window in that room only to supply the fireplace. That way, the rest of the house keeps its heated air.

Needless to say, the fireplace should be kept for special occasions.

I don't have one, but friends who heat with wood say that Osage orange (known as 'hedge' here) burns very hot. Someone above above said it pops, so watch out for that.