These logs are more decorative than functional, and give homeowners the look and feel of a traditional fireplace without the drawbacks.

Reasons to Choose a Gas Fireplace

While there’s no concrete data, we’ve observed a considerable uptick in the number of people interested in and purchasing gas fireplaces, and there are many reasons for this.

Convenience

One of the most common reasons people give when they express interest in a gas fireplace is how much more convenient they are to use than traditional wood-burning fireplaces. Gas provides instant heat with the touch of a button, and many models give you a remote control, so you can operate the system from the couch. When you install a gas fireplace, gone are the days of struggling to light the wood and keep it lit for an evening. You can simply flick on the fireplace and kick back and relax.

Another convenience of owning a gas fireplace is that you can adjust the heat output, something that’s difficult, if not impossible, to do accurately with wood. Gas fireplaces have a thermostat, so you can easily dial it up or down to control the warmth.
Finally, there’s no wood to gather, store, and carry into the house.

Cost Effectiveness

Gas fireplaces are also more cost-effective than wood-burning models because there’s no wood to buy and store, and gas is relatively inexpensive in most parts of the country. Moreover, wood-burning fireplaces produce significant amounts of smoke, leading to creosote buildup in your flue. Creosote is a primary cause of chimney fires and must be cleaned out regularly by a trained professional. Gas, however, burns much cleaner, and you won’t spend nearly as much on cleaning services as you do with wood.

Safety

Another reason people are turning to gas fireplaces is the safety factor. According to the EPA, The National Fire Protection Association estimates that in 2011, heating equipment was involved in an estimated 53,600 reported U.S. home structure fires, with associated losses of 400 civilian deaths, 1,520 civilian injuries, and $893 million in direct property damage. The leading factor contributing to home heat in fires was failure to clean, principally creosote from solid-ruled heating equipment, primarily chimneys.

As mentioned, gas burns cleaner than wood, with little to no creosote buildup in the chimney. Moreover, it’s not uncommon for wood fireplaces to spit out embers and sparks into the house, which can ignite furniture, carpet, or flammable objects nearby, something you don’t have to worry about with gas.

How Gas Fireplaces Compare to Wood for Heating Efficiency

In the battle between gas and wood fireplaces regarding heating efficiency, it’s no contest; gas wins every time. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, gas fire-places have an efficiency rating of 70-90%, while wood-burning fireplaces have a rat-ing of about 10%. That means that with a wood-burning fireplace, you lose up to 90% of the heat up the chimney. Moreover, we have gas fireplaces equipped with blowers, which allow them to distribute heat more evenly through the room.

Most fireplaces are the focal point of whatever room they’re in, and despite their shortcomings, many potential homebuyers will pay more for homes with a working fireplace. Depending on where you live, wood can be a cost-effective fuel source com-pared to natural gas or electricity. Notice that, speaking of the pros of owning a fireplace, we don’t mention the heat, and there’s a reason for that.

Cons

Fireplaces were installed in homes as heat sources; unfortunately, they don’t do a good job compared to other home heating methods like boilers, furnaces, or electric heaters. Fireplaces are so inefficient because most of the heat goes up the chimney instead of into the room where it’s intended. Some people estimate up to 85% of the heat put out by a fireplace is lost.

Another con of running a fireplace is maintenance. Burning firewood produces smoke, which causes creosote to build up in the flue. Creosote is highly flammable, and if you don’t keep up with regular cleaning, it puts you at risk of a chimney fire. Finally, many people are sensitive to smoke and the particulate that the fireplace produces, which can make them miserable with respiratory issues.

Stoves

Because fireplaces are so inefficient and require constant maintenance, many homeowners have turned to stoves to heat their homes. Like the other heating methods, stoves have their advantages and disadvantages.

Pros

The most significant advantage a stove has over other heating methods is that it can generally accept a wide range of fuel sources, like wood pellets and coal; this makes them extremely versatile. Another advantage stoves have is that they can be more environmentally friendly than gas or electric, depending on the fuel source you choose.

Unlike fireplaces, stoves are highly efficient when it comes to heat output. The heating efficiency of a stove can surpass fireplaces and gas furnaces, with a rating of about 70-80%. Moreover, stoves provide direct heat, making them ideal for people who want to heat a specific area instead of the entire home.

Cons

On the downside, the fuel you need to power your stove can be expensive, depending on the market. Stoves also require regular maintenance and cleaning to keep them safe and efficient. Another downside of using a stove is that they consume fuel quickly, so you’ll need a good amount of whatever fuel source you use on hand to ensure you don’t run out when you need it most. Finally, depending on the model, a stove installation can be more costly than other heaters.

Inserts

A fireplace insert is a self-contained heating appliance that fits into your existing fireplace. Inserts are typically made from metal or ceramic and contain the firebox, a blower (in some cases), and insulated walls. Depending on your preference, you can get an insert that burns wood, pellets, or gas.

Pros

Energy efficiency is the most significant advantage of converting your fireplace by installing an insert. As mentioned, a traditional fireplace can lose up to 85% of its heat energy up the chimney. However, a fireplace insert may only lose 10% of its heat, making them much better as a home heating source. Moreover, because many inserts contain a blower, they distribute heat evenly throughout the room, making everyone more comfortable. Inserts are also more environmentally friendly than other heaters, like gas or electric, and they produce less smoke, which means less chance of hazardous creosote buildup.

Cons

Like stoves, an insert can be expensive, with a high upfront cost, which includes installation. Most homeowners justify the expense, however, because of the money they save on fuel and energy. Additionally, while inserts are safer than a traditional fireplace, they still pose a fire risk if you’re not careful.

Choosing the Right System

While we’d love to tell you to buy system A or B, it’s not that simple. Many factors determine which is right for you, but here are a few things to consider.
First, look at the size of the area you want to heat. If you have a large space, like a living room or basement, a stove may be the better option because it outputs more heat than an insert.While we’d love to tell you to buy system A or B, it’s not that simple. Many factors determine which is right for you, but here are a few things to consider.

Gas Inserts are Easier to Use

If you own a wood-burning fireplace, you know how challenging it is to maintain. Wood-burning fireplaces require regular chimney sweeping to remove dangerous creosote buildup, and you must keep a steady supply of wood ready to use for fuel. Moreover, starting a fire in a wood-burning fireplace can sometimes be a chore.

Upgrading to a gas fireplace insert makes owning a fireplace a lot easier. Gas doesn’t produce creosote or ash like wood, so less chimney and fireplace cleaning is required. Also, most gas fireplaces start up with the push of a button or flip of a switch. Finally, as stated, gas fireplaces are more energy efficient, allowing you to control the amount of heat output when you want to save more energy.

How to Convert a Wood Fireplace to Gas

If you’re sold on the benefits of upgrading your wood fireplace to gas, here are the steps to get it done.

Consult a Pro

The first thing to do is hire a professional chimney and fireplace service for a full inspection of your chimney to clear away creosote and check for damage to the masonry or flue. Although gas doesn’t produce the amount of creosote as wood, you still need a clean flue and a healthy chimney.

Install or Upgrade Your Gas Line

If you don’t have a gas line, you’ll have to have one installed. If you do, you must ensure it’s the right size to allow the proper amount of gas flow to operate the fire-place efficiently and according to the manufacturer’s specifications. It’s recommend-ed you hire a professional gas fitter for this because of the risk involved in doing a shoddy DIY installation.

Choosing the Right Insert

Once you have the gas lines in place and your chimney is clean and safe, you’ll have to decide which type of insert you want. Regarding gas fireplace inserts, you have sever-al options; the most common is a direct vent.

Direct-Vent

A direct-vent gas fireplace insert draws air from and exhausts the combustion gas out-side; this is a viable option for people looking for energy efficiency.

Vent-Free

Vent-free gas fireplaces provide heat without having to directly vent the gas out-side because they rely on unvented combustion technology.