[jaapz]

Fireplace is extremely inefficient, and really bad for both your (exhaust fumes get into the room anyway), and your neighbors (the smoke doesn't just dissappear) health, though.

I love the heat and smell of a good fire as much as the next guy, I'm just not sure it's worth the risk of cancer and respiratory diseases.

[modo_mario]

If exhaust fumes get into the room too often you're doing it wrong. You shouldn't be able to smell it inside. I've at times made the fire go a little harder to get rid of fumes (kitchen oopsies). My air quality measurer found it remarkably effective.

As for neighbors. That is true but at the same time these things are rather sustainable and from a time when the population density was lower. I think they still have some place outside of cities untill heatpumps come down in price.

[AngryData]

If efficiency is important, like if you are using wood for primary heat, you should at a minimum be using a sealed box stove which should be pretty efficient and have little to no smoke escaping.

Alternatly you could just use an outdoor stove that merely heat exchanges to the inside.