Really? They are debateably the most efficient way to heat a home up here. Not only is chopping wood great stress reduction, the cracking fire soothes the soul during long winter months. I suppose your view of practicality is different. It regularly drops to -30F here, I love my roaring fires.

True, I guess if you are up nort' and chopping wood then it is a good source of heat. But in suburban areas where it rarely goes below 40F it's kind of weird how common they are in houses. I guess everyone longs for their own cabin in the woods.