Modern Homes Designs

As anyone who has recently visited a fireplace retailer can agree, the popularity of gas-burning fireplaces has increased rapidly over the last few years. Once smiled at for being “fake” fireplaces, their undeniable advantages have won over many potential buyers who had been skeptical at first. Before deciding for yourself whether a gas fireplace is the right choice for you, it is always helpful to take a quick look at the pros and cons of such an appliance.

First, consider the obvious advantages. Gas fireplaces are incredibly easy to operate compared to wood-burning models. Lighting and extinguishing them is as easy as flicking the on/off switch. They are also very efficient, especially the ventless models now available in a large variety of models, and have very low gas fireplace repair needs. Even direct vented models which can be placed anywhere close to an outside wall of the house have an efficiency many times that of a traditional wood fireplace.

There are, however, some disadvantages of using gas for heating purposes compared with other fuels. Gas is inefficient as a source of primary heating, as it will be difficult to heat a large number of rooms in the house with a single gas oven. Also, a gas fireplace needs significantly more space if used mainly for heating purposes compared to a modern central heating system.

Wood naturally still remains an important fuel for fireplaces, since it is easier to come by than gas in remote locations. Apart from this dependence on an available gas supply, the lack of a true campfire feel is also cited as a disadvantage of gas fireplaces. The smell, the wood-related work and the process of lighting a fire is certainly different for a gas fireplace, but outdoor models such as a portable gas fire pit go a long way towards achieving a similar look-and-feel.

In the end, the decision for or against a gas fireplace comes down to personal likes and dislikes. A gas fireplace is ideal for occasional use for recreation – if you however prefer a wood fireplace it will of course also be able to fulfill all desires. It simply needs a bit more work to do so.

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