Whether or not to install a new fireplace in your home is a no-brainer–Yes, do! Next, weigh gas vs wood fireplaces to determine which is right for you. Finally, contact A-1 Chimney Specialist for help determining which size fireplace is ideal for the space it will be in. A-1 also provides professional fireplace installation. Following the three steps above, you can be sure that boundless enjoyment of your fireplace is a real possibility. So, going back to the decision in question, various benefits and limitations of gas and wood fireplaces follow.
Checklist for Comparing Gas vs Wood Fireplaces
There are so many parameters to consider when you take a broad look at fireplaces fueled by gas or wood. Both types increase home resale value. Other than that, there are many differences to consider in a gas vs wood fireplace comparison.
Any of the following insights might be further explored as you decide between a gas fireplace and a wood fireplace. Use the checklist to add up the most winning ways each type of fireplace might be right for you.
Efficiency
Zero-clearance wood-burning fireplaces have efficiency ratings of approximately 73%, which is great.
Gas fireplaces are available that are up to 99% efficient, which is even better.
Fuel Costs
Logs for burning are the cheapest type of fuel for warming your home. If you have a property with trees, your firewood may even be free, if you don’t consider the “ease of use” issue that follows.
The natural gas or propane used for a gas fireplace can average between $0.20 to $0.60 per hour, per recent research.
Ease of Use
Wood fireplaces require a large amount of heavy labor, from sawing, cutting, splitting, and storing logs to hauling logs inside your home.
The convenience of gas fireplaces is astounding! Gas is piped in, and fires can be started and extinguished at the push of a button.
Ambiance / Aesthetic Appeal
Wood fires create an exceptional atmosphere, between the woodsy aroma, the mesmerizing flames, and the crackling and popping of the logs.
Gas fireplaces can be enhanced with background sounds and scented candles to mimic the atmosphere of wood fires. There’s no cover for the comparatively lackluster flames, however.
Safety
The embers that can pop and fly out of wood fires create a potentially severe risk to homes, humans, and pets. Also, creosote, which is a flammable substance created by wood fires, increases the risk of hazardous chimney fires. Unless chimneys are cleaned regularly, creosote can build up to the point it obstructs the chimney draft.
Correctly installed gas fireplaces are safe to use. Children and pets should be protected from hot glass doors, however.
Eco-Friendly
Wood fires create toxic gases that are released into the atmosphere.
Gas fireplaces produce very few pollutants.
Contact A-1 Chimney for Gas or Wood Fireplace Installation
The certified chimney specialists at A-1 Chimney Specialist have the know-how to advise you on the right size fireplace for each room of your home. Installing the correct size plays a big part in achieving fireplace efficiency. After you’ve weighed gas vs wood fireplaces to determine which is right for you, give us a call. We provide professional installation services and can follow up with ongoing maintenance.
Checklist for Comparing Gas vs Wood Fireplaces
