Four Reasons To Choose A Gas Fireplace

Nothing beats the warmth and comfort of a fireplace on a chilly night. There’s something nostalgic about staring in to the flames and hearing the embers pop as you curl up with your favorite book or movie. But did you know that old wood-burning fireplace is wasting energy, putting dust in your home and polluting the air in your neighborhood? Luckily, gas fireplaces offer a way to experience the thrill of a burning fire, while keeping your family and the environment safe from hazardous smoke. Here are a few reasons to choose a gas fireplace over a wood-burning one.

1. No wood is needed.

Because a gas fireplace doesn’t burn any wood, you’re saved the effort of splitting, stacking and hauling logs. If you’re in a more urban area, you’ll be free from running to the store to purchase a pre-seasoned log every time the mood for a fire strikes. No wood also means no ashes, no smoky smells in your home and no chimney to clean.

2. It’s more convenient.

Not only can a gas fire start with the flip of a switch or the push of a button, there are thermostats to control the flame size. The temperature of the fire can be adjusted in seconds and there’s no worry that the flames will die out. That fire will stay lit until you turn it off.

3. It wastes less energy.

Gas fireplaces are more energy efficient than their wood-burning counterparts. A chimney is unnecessary with a gas fireplace, so no hot air escapes up the flue. In fact, a gas fireplace returns between 75 and 99 percent of its energy back as heat. A wood burning fireplace only returns between 10 and 30 percent.

4. It’s better for the environment.

Any wood-burning appliance made after 1990 is required to be EPA-certified. However, these fireplaces still emit much more pollution than their gas-burning counterparts. A wood-burning fireplace expunges about 28 pounds of particulate emissions per MMBtus of heat output, while a gas fireplace produces only .28 pounds per MMBtus.

Wood burning fireplaces may offer those crackling flames we all love to gaze at, but they’re simply not the most efficient way to heat your home. If you’re looking for a way to enjoy the warmth and comfort of a fireplace, while keeping your family and the environment safe from harmful pollutants, a gas fireplace could be the perfect fit in your home. Schedule a free in-home consultation with one of our experts to find the right gas fireplace for you.