What’s Better? A Gas Fireplace? Wood Or Electric?
If you have a place for a supply of wood go for it. We have a gas one but don’t use it because of the cost. Roxanne
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October 31, 2009 @ 2:19 am
We will start with the worst fireplaces and work to the better ones.
The vented gas log fireplace is by far the worst fireplace you can have as far as efficiency goes. You must disable or remove your damper to install one and most of the heat generated from the unit goes right up the flue. If you don’t plug the flue with a chimney balloon when fireplace is dormant then your homes furnace heat will also go right up the chimney 24/7.
The second worst is the vent free gas log fireplace. New study testing from the Univ of IL has prevent that the vent free gas appliances significantly contribute to poor indoor air quality. The worst thing they do is to introduce unhealthy levels of NO2 to the homes interior air, but they introduce many other combustion gasses to lesser degrees as well and none of them are good. they are efficient at making heat but they are efficient at polluting your homes interior air too. Here is an article on it: http://www.chimneyballoonusa.com/blog/20…
The third worst is a wood fireplace in terms of efficiency. The wood fireplace is nice to look at but in general they tend to waste more heat than they produce. They accelerate a homes stack effect and can sometimes effect indoor air quality depending upon how you burn and what you burn. They also come with maintenance issues like ash and chimney sweeping.
Electric fireplaces are neutral in my book. Some of them look cheesy but if you like that look then more power to you. They are easy to flip on and most have a separate heater switch. The heat they produce is expensive since it is just a electrical resistance heater with a fan and electrical heat is by far the most expensive heat per BTU.
Wood fireplace inserts are efficient at producing heat but they are expensive to have fitted and installed and you will need a good free supply of wood to actually heat with one. Remember, heating with wood requires labor and is a lifestyle choice. Also they come with inherent maintenance issues with ash and chimney sweeping.
Direct vent fireplaces are easy to use and about the most efficient you can get. They are not cheap and have to be installed on an outside wall generally. They are easy to turn on and don’t require much for maintenance or fuss since they are gas fuel. Don’t expect a flickery wood burn type flame from them though sincen the flames are usually small and blue.
October 31, 2009 @ 6:11 am
The best type is the safer. Please check this link to see which one is better… http://bestchoicefurniture.wordpress.com…