Choosing Between Gas and Wood Burning Fireplaces
A fireplace adds character and value to your home. When someone imagines their perfect house, the dream typically includes a cozy home that keeps you and your family warm in the winter, either with a smoothly running furnace or getting comfy around a cozy fire.
It’s hard to resist the allure of of a toasty fire, but how do you decide between a gas or wood burning fireplace? There are many points to consider when deciding how to make sure your home stays warm through those cold, winter months.
Aesthetics and Efficiency
- Wood: A wood burning fireplace typically wins in the sensory category. You get the crackle. You get the pop. You get the chance to roast marshmallows indoors. Something you don’t get is an efficient heating source. Wood fires typically receive up to a 15% efficiency rating, a lot lower than a furnace that has consistent service performed. They do get very hot, but most of that heat is lost up the chimney. Wood burning fireplaces not only lose the heat coming from the fire, but it also pulls warm air from other parts of the house up the chimney.
- Gas: There have been many style advances in gas fireplaces. The flames have become more realistic and many versions offer varied height adjustments. The types of logs used in gas fireplaces now have the look of the real thing and come complete with flickering embers, which don’t require you to wait while they burn out. You can easily switch your gas fireplace on and off, providing you more control over the temperature of you home and frees you from having to look after your fire. The lack of fire stealing oxygen gives gas fireplaces a 75% to 99% efficiency rating. Picture the level of comfort you could have when you incorporate that with a fully serviced furnace.
Air Quality and Maintenance
- Wood: Air quality is critical to all homeowners. Burning wood generates air pollution in and outside your home and the smoky wood smell that a wood burning fireplace gives off could be a health hazard. Wood also creates a byproduct called creosote that lines the coating of the chimney and must be removed by a professional. Much like furnaces that should have furnace service completed consistantly, gas fireplaces also require recurrent cleanings of soot and spent logs.
- Gas: Gas fireplaces only require some dusting every now and then and are practically maintenance free. It is suggested that you get your gas fireplace cleaned and adjusted every 12 months by a professional to keep it operating both safely and smoothly.
If you are interested in finding out more information about converting your wood burning fireplace into a gas fireplace or you want to schedule your routine furnace service, please call today at 614-334-3192 or schedule an appointment on our website. Our experts will have you snuggled up by the fire in no time.