Choosing Between Gas and Wood Burning Fireplaces 

A fireplace adds ambiance and value to your home. When homebuyers imagine their perfect home, the dream typically includes a cozy home that keeps you and your family warm in the winter, either with a smoothly running heater or gathering around a cozy fire. 

It’s hard to resist the allure of of a crackling fire, but how do you decide between a gas or wood burning fireplace? There are many aspects to consider when deciding how to heat your home. 

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 opportunity to roast marshmallows indoors. Something you don’t get is an effective heating source. Wood fires usually receive up to a 15% efficiency rating, much lower than a furnace that has consistent service performed. They do generate a lot of heat, 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 and out the chimney. 
• Gas: There have been many aesthetic advances in gas fireplaces. The flames have become more realistic and many models offer diverse heights. The ceramic logs used in gas fireplaces now more closely favor the real thing and come complete with glimmering embers, which don’t need you to wait while they burn out. You can merely switch your gas fireplace on and off, giving you more control over room temperature 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. Imagine the level of comfort you could have when you combine that with a fully maintained furnace.  

Air Quality and Maintenance 

• Wood: Air quality is critical to all homeowners. Burning wood causes air pollution in and outside your home and the smoky wood smell that a wood burning fireplace exudes could be hazardous to your family’s. 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 regularly, gas fireplaces also require recurrent cleanings of ashes 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 yearly by an expert to keep it operating both safely and effectively. 

If you are interested in finding out more information about converting your wood burning fireplace into a gas fireplace or you need to schedule seasonal furnace service, please call us at at 866-397-3787 or schedule an appointment on our website. Our experts will have you snuggled up and comfortably warm in no time.