What Is The Point Of Gas Fireplaces?
I can understand natural FP’s as a source of heat because it uses wood…..you can save on your gas/electric bill.
But do gas fireplaces serve any purpose for heating that couldn’t be served just as well by your furnace or even a space heater?
I guess I get the decor factor….I’m just wondering about their functionality as a heat source.
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October 19, 2009 @ 10:56 am
I spend a lot of time in the family room. With the gas fireplace, I can heat up just that room and not the entire 2140 square food house. I like it cool when I go to bed and this fireplace, while giving some great ambiance, does serve my heating purpose for the one room. Sure, I have a separate heater for THAT part of the house, but I’d be heating up other rooms I don’t use as well. I get heat, save money and some ambiance at the same time. It’s way cool. Or hot. or whatever. Merry Freakin’ Christmas! : )
October 19, 2009 @ 5:55 pm
Many wood burning fireplaces do not really save on gas and electricity unless you have an outside source of combustion air for the fireplace, a set of glass doors to isolate the firebox and a heat exchanger with fan to move the heat out into the room.
Without outside combustion air all of the air used to burn the wood much be heated by your other heating system or your house in general will get colder.
A open chimney with no fire in the fireplace will on average suck up the chimney a volume of air equal to 5 times the volume of your house in an hour.
October 19, 2009 @ 7:49 pm
They work very well as a heat source, and are clean. You don’t have to chop wood or stoke the fire. You also don’t need to hire a chimney sweep. They cost less than buying, hauling and burning wood. They are up to 80% efficient. They add value to your home. They are safer.
Besides, nowadays you can buy ones that make the crackling sound of the fire. Plus, as you said they are decorative so what’s not to like?
October 20, 2009 @ 1:36 am
Unlike a wood burning fireplace, you do not smell like smoke when you walk out of the house when you are using a gas fireplace. It is such a great feeling to sit in front of a fireplace. If you have a blower installed on your gas fireplace it will blow out the heat and distribute it throughout the room. I love my fireplace and I turn it on when I get home from work to help me feel relaxed.
October 20, 2009 @ 7:10 am
We have a gas fire
They’re very very good – you don’t have to mess about with firewood, much less mess. They’re a much better heat source than the central heating, I find. They make the room really lovely and cosy for those nights in front of the TV. The central heating is a dim, humid heat that is everywhere – whereas the heat from the fire is just delicious!
October 20, 2009 @ 8:25 am
a wood burning fireplace is great but most city type people don’t like to have to clean out the ashes i have had both and i still prefer a wood burning
October 20, 2009 @ 11:13 am
They are cleaner and maintenece free. No smell from smoke. They are much cheaper than running your furnace. The best is they are really great for setting a cozy mood.