Two Reasons To Consider Installing A Gas Fireplace Instead Of One That Burns Wood
Fireplaces are cozy and romantic. They can also be a practical source of heat for your home. If you're ready to install a fireplace in your home, you'll have to decide between a gas or wood-burning model. Each has its upside, but gas might just have an advantage. Here's why you might like a gas fireplace over a wood-burning one.
Gas Fireplaces Are Much Easier To Use
If you come home to a chilly house, all you have to do is turn a switch and a gas fireplace roars to life. You'll have heat instantly and you won't have to constantly maintain it to keep the flame from dying out. You can even adjust the heat with a thermostat so the room stays comfortable and you can control energy use.
A wood-burning fireplace is much more work and it starts long before the fire starts to burn. You'll have to buy and store wood to have it ready for the winter. If you live in a wooded area, you can chop down the wood and store it in stacks on your property. Then, when it's time for a fire, you'll have to position the wood properly so the flame has enough oxygen, use a fire starter, and coax the flames to life.
You'll also need to tend to the flames while the logs burn so the fire doesn't go out. While the crackling of a real fire may be romantic, it takes a lot of work to keep a wood-burning fire alive. It may not be practical to use a wood fire as a frequent source of heat for your home.
Gas Fireplaces Are Much Easier To Maintain
You can set a gas fireplace into a traditional chimney or just vent it to the outside. It can have the exact appearance of a traditional fireplace complete with brick chimney and mantle, but it won't require nearly the same amount of maintenance as a fireplace that burns wood. You'll want to inspect the fireplace regularly to make sure the vents aren't getting clogged with dust. You'll also need to check the operation of the fan and ceramic logs to ensure the fireplace functions as it should. However, there won't be any soot to deal with. Gas is clean-burning so it doesn't make a mess that can become a fire hazard. This saves you from the dirty job of cleaning out the fireplace regularly and hiring someone to clean out the chimney to keep it safe from fire.
Whichever type of fireplace you choose, it will be a fantastic addition to your home that supplies heat in the winter and a romantic ambiance to the room. However, if you want low-maintenance and ease of use, gas could be the way to go. For more information, contact companies like Alpine Fireplaces.