Choosing Between Gas and Wood Burning Fireplaces 

A fireplace adds personality and value to your home. When homebuyers imagine 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 heater or getting comfy around a cozy fire. 

It’s hard to resist the temptation of of a warm fire, but how do you choose between a gas or wood burning fireplace? There are many points to consider when deciding how to keep your home nice and toasty. 

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 effective heating source. Wood fires typically receive up to a 15% efficiency rating, considerably lower than a furnace that has routine service performed. They do get very hot, but most of that heat is released 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 aesthetic advances in gas fireplaces. The flames have become more realistic and some designs offer different height adjustments. The logs used in gas fireplaces now more closely resemble the real thing and come complete with glowing embers, which don’t need you to wait while they simmer out. You can simply switch your gas fireplace on and off, giving you more control over room temperature and frees you from having to keep an eye on 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 combine that with a fully serviced furnace.  

Air Quality and Maintenance 

  • Wood: Air quality is critical to all homeowners. Burning wood produces air pollution in and outside your family’s 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 chimney sweep. Much like furnaces that should have furnace service completed consistantly, gas fireplaces also require consistant cleanings of embers and spent logs. 
  • Gas: Gas fireplaces only require some dusting every now and then and are practically maintenance free. It is advised that you get your gas fireplace cleaned and adjusted annually by a specialist to keep it operating both safely and efficiently. 

If you want to find out more information about converting your wood burning fireplace into a gasfire place or you simply want to schedule your yearly furnace service, please give us a call at 614-334-3192 or schedule an appointment through our website. Our experts will have you snuggled up by the fire in no time. 

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