What’s the big deal about a wood-burning fireplace?

As we start to experience cooler weather this Autumn, you may notice the smell of burning wood from fireplaces in Manhattan Beach homes. If you enjoy that aroma, savor it now before the clean air police (aka South Coast Air Quality Management District) ban it forever. In all fairness, the AQMD is responding to federal clean air mandates and most residents do appreciate cleaner air. It is just not clear (no pun intended) that the few homes still able to burn real wood in their fireplaces are the true culprits dirtying up the Los Angeles air.

If your home has a wood-burning fireplace, it could help boost its value, because they aren’t building them anymore. Due to cost, convenience, and complaints from neighbors about chimneys blocking their views, builders of newer Manhattan Beach homes have been opting to install fireplaces that burn natural gas. Now there is no choice. As of March 9, 2009, it is illegal to build a wood-burning fireplace in a new Manhattan Beach home.

As demand exceeds supply, homes with wood-burning fireplaces are likely to bring a higher price (or rent).

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