Benefits of a Gas Fireplace

When shopping for ways to heat your home, you will find that few options are as cozy and inviting as fireplaces. You will also discover that you have many fuel options to choose from, one being gas.

Why should you choose gas over other options? Here are some of the biggest reasons gas fireplaces have become so popular.

Increased Efficiency

Unlike wood-burning fireplaces, direct gas fireplaces use sealed combustion chambers that reduce heat loss within the home. Its superior heat-catching ability translates into more efficient burning and heating than wood-burning fireplaces. A typical wood fireplace has an efficiency between 10 and 30%, whereas a gas fireplace runs higher at 50 to 90%. All that added efficiency translates into lower energy bills.

Lower Fuel Cost

The cost of natural gas is typically less than the cost of wood, and not just by a little bit. On average, gas runs three times cheaper than wood. Still, there are some exceptions to this rule. For instance, if you don't have gas in your area, you will need to store, purchase, and install the gas, which increases the cost. Additionally, the price of gas varies by location. You may not see benefits over wood in your area - especially if the wood is free from your backyard. On average, however, you save significantly with gas.

Less Work

Gas fireplaces also save you time and trouble. Having a wood-burning fireplace means storing, carrying, and constantly adding wood to keep that fire going. Then there's the dirty work of continually cleaning up the ash and discarding it, which can be an annoying job over time.

Since a traditional fireplace requires manual supervision, you inevitably have more temperature variances in the room. A gas fireplace, on the other hand, provides consistent and controllable heat with little to no effort and cleanup.

You also have less maintenance. Like any fireplace, a gas version requires general cleaning and maintenance, but it isn't nearly as difficult. There is very little to no soot or creosote and no smoke because you don't use real wood. You will only need to occasionally vacuum the area around the fireplace, wipe down the glass, and check the flue for obstructions such as bird nests now and again.

Cleaner Air

As stated above, gas fireplaces are generally cleaner than wood-burning fireplaces, which makes cleaning your fireplace easier, but gas also makes gas fireplaces a healthier option. With no ash and very little smoke, you get cleaner air. That's good news if you or your family suffer from allergies or respiratory problems.

One of the chief concerns about gas fireplaces are gas leaks and safety. The good news is that the fuel used in these fireplaces emit a foul odor (rotten eggs) in the event of a leak.

Ease of Use

Gas fireplaces let you turn on and off your system with a press of a button. Traditional fireplaces, however, require specific wood preparations that are time consuming and down-right messy. A gas fireplace doesn't use actual wood, which means it can turn on and off without any fuss and requires no loading and unloading. Since the gas lights instantly, you also won't have to wait for the wood to heat up.

Improved Flame Control

Just as you can easily turn the stove on or off, you can adjust the size and heat of the flames precisely and keep those temperatures consistent. If you want to have a fire for ambiance but don't want the heat, you can turn the flame low without it distinguishing itself. This is perfect for those warm summer nights when you still want to enjoy a crackling fire.

Gas Fireplaces are Easy to Install

Gas fireplaces and stoves are relatively easy to install compared to a traditional fireplace because they don't require interior structural support. You can run the flue up and out of a home easily without strengthening your walls. You can install it in any type of home without structural concerns.

If your home already has a fireplace, you can even install a gas fireplace insert inside an existing wood-burning fireplace. All you need is the right interior liner, few tools, a gas line, and to decide whether you want a direct-vent or natural-vent gas fireplace. A direct-vent gas fireplace has a sealed combustion chamber, draws air from outside, and reduces heat loss up the chimney. Natural vent gas fireplaces are similar but draw in the air from inside the home.

In terms of gas access, many homes and neighborhoods come with gas hookups, making installation easier. If your home doesn't have any, you will need to account for gas storage, but you would have the same space issue with wood.

More Versatile Placement

The ease of installation and smaller footprint allow for more flexibility with adding more fireplaces to your home. You can add one to every room more affordably and even create cozy seating areas in homes with large, open floorplans. You can also incorporate them in rooms with heavy use of glass because they require very little structural support.

A Wide Range of Styles

You can easily select a gas fireplace or stove to complement your home style. Gas fireplaces come in a broad range of designs, including traditional, contemporary, and rustic. You can also change them out more easily than a standard fireplace since they require fewer structural requirements.

Improved Home Values

Gas fireplaces add value to your home regardless of your home's construction or style. With cheaper and easier installation than a traditional fireplace and the wealth of fireplace styles, you can easily improve your home's value when it is time to sell.

Gas Fireplaces: They're Not Just Hot Air

As you can see, there are many reasons why gas fireplaces can benefit you as a homeowner, and these same reasons have made gas fireplaces a popular option in the market. Though fuel costs can vary based on your location, you typically stand to save more money while offering benefits over other fireplaces in terms of cleanup, air quality, installation costs, and flexibility in positioning and design - all without sacrificing your heating ability. These fireplaces or stoves are worth keeping on your list of home heating options.