Another crucial factor in a units efficiency is its consumption rate. Lets start by looking at some of the benefits and negatives of choosing to have a wood-burning fireplace in your home. Typically what happens is that fires made with wet wood or little air flow will produce exhaust or flue gases A cord of wood can cost between $200 and $600. Also, there is the problem of removing the creosote, which is soot buildup in the chimney. Other than that, theres not much for you to do to keep these units spick-and-span. Wood fireplaces tend to be bigger in size compared to gas fireplaces, which can help you to tell which type of fireplace you have. push a button and POOF ???flame. In the sections below, we explain the differences between the two so that you can make an informed choice for your home and lifestyle. hbspt.forms.create({ They offer many obvious maintanence and installation advantages over wood fireplaces. You will need to have enough space present to hold these since they are quite a bit larger. formId: "8722a8b8-457c-43cc-b450-5fa9077f14e7" While many homeowners love the wood-burning option, there are still many benefits for choosing a gas fireplace, which is why many people are gravitating towards it. If you only plan to use the gas fireplace on occasion or you already have a lot of the setup done, it can be the better choice out of the two. Heres what to know when choosing between a wood and gas fireplace: Choosing between a wood and a gas fireplace usually comes down to the benefits and what works the best in your home. Require much less cleaning and maintenance than wood-burning units, Release fewer harmful gases into the environment, Dont offer the full sensory experience that traditional wood-burning units provide, Contribute greatly to the rooms ambiance due to the real wood sound and smell, Can be less expensive to operate than gas fireplaces, Emit more gases into the environment than gas-fueled units, Less flexibility in terms of customization. Yet, if warmth is your primary concern, and you are not too focused on the blazes authenticity or its provided ambiance, a gas fireplace works just as well. If it isnt cleaned out, there is the possibility of a flue1 fire. In comparison, a gas fireplace does have the dancing flames, quiet glow, and appearance of a real fire. Hey, Im Tyler. First of all, theres no mess from Gas-fueled fireplaces are more environmentally friendly than wood-burning fireplaces. Gas fireplaces do not produce a lot of smoke. Easier to put together and less expensive, Provides the fire aroma you want while outside. biobricks wood cordwood heat outdoor wood grill cube rais fireplace fired gizeh Get free advice and estimates from fireplace contractors in your city. portalId: "8906065", If there is a functioning fireplace in your home, keep it. While many homeowners like to work with a gas-burning fireplace because of the easy use, the initial cost can be high. When you compare gas fireplaces, the cost range can differ quite drastically. Both will have their benefits. ?either at the grocery store or in bulk from someone who sells it. Both types will cost a different amount, and the exact amount spent depends on whether you need additional things added in, like the gas line. Installing a new firebox is between $500 and $1,000. This helps to save both money and energy if you are someone who sources your wood from a store rather than chopping it yourself. Each homeowner is different though. Of course, that assumes Cost to install a wood-burning or gas fireplace varies greatly by region (and even by zip code).To get free estimates from local contractors, please indicate yours. ceramic logs that dont change or burn away. Copyright 2017 All rights reserved. Plus, fire It has a lot of benefits that you will need in a new fireplace, without the hassle of cleaning it all the time or finding wood for the fireplace. Because natural gas fireplaces are designed to burn the gas efficiently, the flue gasses are cool enough to be vented through Energy-efficiency is important when considering the type of fireplace to choose, and there can be a striking difference. Chimney fires result from layers of creosote building up in the chimney. a serious 2000? We also know how difficult it is to find the perfect fireplace you have been dreaming about, which is why were committed to helping you create a fireplace you will love. The typical traditional home fireplace is a single-piece brick hearth with an attached brick chimney. The fireplace consists of a small trap door that opens onto an ash pan (to collect fine ash), a wrought-iron grate to hold kindling and logs. With this in mind you can figure out how expensive it will be using: For a gas fireplace, it will usually cost around 17 to 19 cents an hour to run the fireplace or about $60/year for the average homeowner. It wont blend into the walls of your home without being in an old-style fireplace, but it does come in many decorative styles and shapes. Many homes stay closer to 20 to 30 inches for a gas fireplace. As long as you take good care of your wood-burning fireplace, a prefabricated version can last between 20 to 30 years. Your choice of a gas or wood-burning fireplace can influence the impact you have on the earth due to the following factors: Your fireplaces environmental impact will heavily depend on the frequency of use, and whether you choose to use propane or natural gas for your gas-fueled unit. Our team is committed to your success through our lifetime guarantee and worldclass service. You will also need to pay extra to clean the wood fireplaces and keep the chimney clean, so this can be added to the costs to run. This is the traditional type of fireplace that we may see in older homes. This is why chimmneys need to be inspected and kept cleaned. Plus, there is just something special about a wood burning fireplace! A gas fireplace gives the ambiance of glowing logs and dancing flames, but there is no sound unless artificially added. The price varies by region. modern gas fireplace fire bemodern classic suite wooden fires balanced flue hotprice avantgarde wood vat including delivery flames If allowed to burn hot and fast, they will produce very little creosote. Some cities have no-burn regulations at various times. The price of a gas line hookup installed on an existing line is between $150 and $300. A natural gas fireplace that operates at about 40,000 BTUs hourly, for example, might run you about $0.48 per hour, while a propane unit at the same output would cost $1.10 per hour. Contact our fireplace advisors today to begin bringing your dream fireplace to life. However, it is without some of the hassles like finding wood or worrying about all the smoke and embers. For the past 40 years, weve crafted over 13,000 fireplaces, 99% of which are still properly functioning. heat. less (about .28 lbs/MMBtu). And it is energy efficient, so it can heat up your home without costing a lot of money. The average cord of mixed hardwood can be anywhere between $50-100, depending on demand and locale. For a gas fireplace, you will need to know how much your gas company charges for the energy that you use. For many people, this is their favorite feature and the reason why they choose wood over gas. The wood fireplace can produce between 20,000 to 40,000 BTUs. It would take up most of the wall. Some of the reasons that a fireplace is useful in your home and can add to the resale value include: Younger buyers are more likely to go with a gas fireplace because they like the convenience while enjoying the ambiance. Acucrafts specialists will also maintain your gas fireplace according to the offered Maintenance Agreement. For some people, this makes it the better choice. There are several key characteristics that differentiate gas and wood fireplaces. If you want a built-in fireplace, the costs will go up because of all the handiwork that needs to be done on a masonry fireplace. The Acucraft Hearthroom series is one of the best examples of how energetically and financially conservative you can be by working with Acucrafts design experts. }); Here at Acucraft, we know you want a unique fireplace that will stand out as the focal point of your space without compromising quality! If you need one to fit a specific room in your home, this can be a good option to help you get what you need. Ashes and soot can also accumulate without regular cleaning, which can lead to out-of-control fires. You only need to push a button to get them started. If a new line needs to be run, then the cost will be from $300 to $800. The one that you pick will depend on your needs. But electricity isnt the only resource to consider when asking are gas fireplaces efficient?. Two examples of Acucrafts custom wood-burning fireplace customizations include: Acucrafts custom gas fireplaces are a bit more flexible in their personalization options: Both wood-burning and gas fireplaces can be designed as either indoor or outdoor units and can be customized in terms of frame finishing, grids and handles, and more. When it comes to finding the method that is safer to keep your home safe though, the gas fireplace will be a little bit better. Nicely seasoned softwoods (fir or pine) are easy to start. Plus, if theres a power failure, most can be lit up manually. ?F fire. | Sierra Club, Does My Prefabricated Fireplace Need Replacing? A gas fireplace can provide the same heat and comfort that you need, but it relies on gas rather than wood to burn. Known as a throat damper, they As the world continues to experience the detrimental effects of human activity, there is a growing concern for their environmental footprints. Despite the nostalgic pleasure one can experience sitting in front of a wood fire, many people are learning that gas fireplaces are capable of supplying a gentle blaze that is just as warm and inviting as a traditional wood unit but without the added effort of a messier, hands-on experience. When the winter gets cold and others are running their heaters, you can cut down on utilities by using the wood-burning fireplace. Gas logs are only an aesthetic addition and do not make a functional difference, and thus, do not change the operation costs. The next step consists of removing any blockages in the chimney because this will fill a room with smoke quickly from a lit fire. Note: There would be no change in price distinctions when using gas logs or a wood-burning fireplace. In terms of financial commitments, which is better; gas or wood-burning fireplaces? season for over a year, longer for hardwoods. The main things youll be missing are the smell and sounds of the wood, but the glow and warmth will remain since gas fireplaces produce real flames. The crackling sounds, occaisonal firework-like sparks, and the smell of the burning wood such If youre ready to craft your dream fireplace, speak with a Fireplace Advisor today. It is important to remember one obvous fact: wet (or green) wood does not burn well. Natural Gas Meanwhile, natural gas fireplaces are based on newer heat-efficient technology. Wood burning fireplaces also need to be cleaned after the fire is out and the fireplace cools down. Check with the area you live in because some will not allow these outside. For a gas-burning fire, the first step is to check for cleanliness and debris. You would choose a wood fireplace when you: There are many benefits to choosing a gas fireplace too. You can find Tyler getting outdoors whenever he can and nerding out about fireplace technology in his free time. A traditional wood-burning, open-masonry fireplace is inefficient for heating a room, on average 10%. Of the two, the wood burning fireplace is more challenging to install because it requires a chimney as opposed to installing only a vent pipe for a gas fireplace. A gas fireplace can last for about the same amount of time, if only slightly less. Once the fireplace is installed, you will need to know how much it will cost to run the fireplace. Choosing a wood burning fireplace for outdoors can be a great, and classic, option. This site is the place where I share everything Ive learned to help you with your fireplace needs. These types of designs are part of why there is no definitive answer to the question, Is a wood-burning fireplace energy efficient?. You would choose a gas fireplace when you: While the gas fireplace is often seen as one of the best options, you do have added expense to the mix and may have to pay a little more to get it set up. Another issue is the glass doors on gas fireplaces can reach 400 degrees, requiring 45 minutes to cool down enough to touch. This factor depends on the market and homebuyer preferences, both of which are in constant flux. Overall, the gas fireplace is one of the best options. It may not provide some of the authenticity of a wood-burning option and no crackling firewood, but there are some benefits of choosing this option including: These fireplaces are easier to use overall outside, but there are higher costs to setting them up. So, how efficient is a wood-burning fireplace versus a gas unit, really? This can make it cleaner, though the installation is usually more expensive than a wood-burning fireplace. I have two fireplaces (one indoor and one outdoor) and I do what I can to maintain them. 9 Benefits of Having a Wood-Burning Fireplace in Your Home Cutting Edge Firewood, Fireplaces 101 Pros and Cons of Wood burning, Gas, Electric and Alcohol burning/Ethanol fireplaces BYHYU, 5 Benefits of a Gas Fireplace | Creative Energy, The Advantages and Disadvantages of a Gas Fireplace Chimney & Masonry Outfitters (chimneyoutfitters.com), 2021 Fireplace Installation Costs | Gas, Wood Burning & Electric (homeguide.com), Gas vs. Wood-Burning Fireplaces vs. Electric Fireplaces (constellation.com), Gas vs Wood Fireplace Pros and Cons Which Is Best For You (acucraft.com), Gas vs Wood FIreplace Heat Output | The Fireplace Place of Atlanta (fireplaceofatlanta.com), Outdoor Fireplaces: Gas or Wood-Burning? Softwoods should When choosing a gas fireplace, there are some standard measurements that you can work with. A fireplace is a great addition to any home. Gas fireplaces do not produce embers that could hurt someone. gas If the homeowner wants a gas fireplace blower6, then that will need to be installed as well. They radiate heat nicely and some contain fans to circulate the heat efficiently. that will be cool. randomly cut down trees in the neighborhood. The amount of BTUs that you will get out of either of these fireplaces will depend on the model and size of the one you choose.
which is cheaper gas or wood fireplace