If you love your fireplace but wish it were more efficient, a fireplace insert might be the perfect choice.  Basically these are airtight wood stoves that fit snugly into the firebox of your fireplace and harness much of the heat that goes straight up the chimney with a conventional open fireplace.  Not only are they functional, they’re also beautiful.  Many are available with decorative flourishes, and models with glass doors allow you to see the fire from your living room sofa just like a conventional fireplace.  Although the initial expense is high, inserts are so efficient that many homeowners report the units paying for themselves after only one season of use.