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With the cold and wet winter season on the horizon, there are many choices to keep your family warm. However, more homeowners are installing gas heating stoves for many reasons. Their growing popularity is due to a broader range of stylish designs, convenience, energy efficiency, lower heating costs, and easier maintenance.
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a gas heating stove is its size. The heating output of gas stoves is measured in British Thermal Units or BTU. A BTU is the amount of heat needed to increase a room’s temperature by one degree Fahrenheit. For example, a 30,000 BTU gas heating stove will provide sufficient heating for up to 1,000 square feet of living space. Many models also have a blower motor that evenly distributes heated air throughout the room.
Gas-burning heating stoves have a closed combustion system with an internal heat exchanger, which prevents most heat from escaping through the chimney or vent, as is the case with traditional fireplaces. As a result, a gas heating stove uses up to 75 percent or more of the energy it generates for home heating. The increase in heating efficiency means warmer rooms with less wasted energy.
Freestanding gas heating stoves are also more convenient than many other heating choices. For starters, turning on the gas stove is as easy as flipping a switch. The room will warm up quickly and maintain the desired temperature. Also, gas stoves can be installed practically anywhere in the house, even in spaces that would be too small for a traditional fireplace.
Direct vent heating stoves don’t even require a chimney. All that is necessary is a stovepipe to vent the exhaust to the outside. There are also vent-free gas stoves that don’t need a chimney or stove pipe. Some vent-free models also have a safety feature that automatically shuts off the gas stove when oxygen levels get too low. The radiant heat will continue to warm the space.
Gas stoves burn cleaner without any smoke, soot, creosote, or ash, making them much easier to clean and maintain. While gas fuel does create some creosote, it’s a small fraction compared to a wood-burning fireplace. An annual safety inspection and cleaning by a qualified gas heating technician are all that is necessary to maintain your gas stove in peak operating condition. The technician will inspect and clean the glass, clean any dust or debris collecting inside the stove, clean the electronic ignition system, inspect the oxygen sensor, and clean the vent.
Gas heating stoves are an incredibly cost-effective heating source for homes with multiple levels. Instead of using the central heating system to heat unoccupied rooms day and night, homeowners can save money by installing a gas stove where it’s needed most, such as upstairs near the bedrooms, and another unit downstairs the main living area.
Modern freestanding gas stoves are not the old, dusty eyesores of yesteryear. They are clean and appealing heating appliances available in a variety of aesthetically pleasing styles, finishes, and sizes. Whether you want something more traditional, elegant, or trendy and sleek, there is a gas stove that will enhance any home décor.