So, you want a heating option that is not only functional and practical but is aesthetically pleasing to the eye? A fireplace is a wonderful choice to fulfill those desires. But there are still many decisions to make regarding what kind of fireplace would work best for your home. Continue reading for a comparison of wood fireplaces vs. gas fireplaces.
What Is The Difference Between Wood Fireplaces Vs. Gas Fireplaces?
The difference between wood and gas fireplaces is pretty simple. One creates heat by burning wood and the other has pretend wood logs that have gas vents beneath them that create fire. Wood fireplaces have chimneys and need a flue to ventilate. Gas fireplaces function using a combustion and exhaust system that uses a sealed chamber and brings fresh air in from outside in order to combust. Gas fireplaces do not require a flue system.
Wood Fireplaces
Wood fireplaces are the traditional option for fireplaces and have been around for a long time. These days, wood fireplaces and wood burning stoves are not quite so popular, although they are nice to have in an emergency. Many people ask why wood fireplaces are not being installed as often despite how efficient manufacturers have been making them. The answer to this question is simply that wood has a lot of legal restrictions on it.
In order to use a wood fireplace, the wood essentially has to burn smoke free, which means that the wood has to be heated until it is scorching hot. A lot of states and cities are trying to decrease the amount of restrictions on burning wood, but the laws are unlikely to change quickly. Be sure to check the restrictions in your area. Many places also have green and red days which are basically go and no-go days for burning wood based on the fire safety limit.
Lastly, wood fireplaces require a lot of work to install. If you wanted a wood fireplace in your basement, ventilation would have to be installed all the way up to the ceiling, outside, up the side of the house to the roofline. Just the venting for a wood fireplace is extremely expensive to add and the application of a flue system is even more expensive than the wood insert itself. Not to mention, the cleaning that would be required to maintain a wood fireplace if it was used frequently.
Gas Fireplaces
Gas fireplaces are our recommendation here at Genuine Comfort. Gas fireplaces are more efficient than wood fireplaces because they keep the heat within the room while wood fireplaces need a chimney to get rid of smoke and because heat rises, a lot of the heat that a wood fireplace would give goes out the flue. Gas fireplaces can still provide heat when the power goes out if you are still hooked up to the gas. The other reason why we like gas fireplaces is because they can be vented pretty much anywhere in your house because they do not require an elaborate flue system.
Which Fireplace Is Better?
Our recommendation is a gas fireplace for a new install. However we suggest doing your research to find out whether wood fireplaces vs. gas fireplaces are better for your situation. If you decide to go with our recommendation, we suggest getting a ceramic gas fireplace with a blower that has a lot of settings. That way you can turn the heat up and down at your convenience.
Have More Questions Regarding Fireplaces?
Here at Genuine Comfort, we have many experienced professionals who are privy to top-of-line information about the heating and cooling industry. We would love to help answer any questions that you may have regarding fireplaces or other heating and cooling services. Contact us today for more information.
