Fireplaces add a lot to any home. Traditional wood fireplaces take a lot of work and regular maintenance to keep them clean and safe. Gas fireplaces also require maintenance, but not as much as traditional wood fireplaces. Is it worth your time and money to invest in a gas fireplace? Take these points into consideration when making your decision.
Advantages
A gas fireplace has many benefits over wood. To begin with, you do not need to learn how to build a fire. With a gas fireplace, you can instantly turn on the fire and you can regulate the heat. Many people enjoy the convenience of a gas fireplace.
Another major plus with a gas fireplace is efficiency. Gas fireplaces have fewer polluting emissions than do wood burning fireplaces. You can also zone heat with the gas fireplace. You have the option of turning off central heat and turning on the gas fireplace to heat a room.
When the power goes out, as long as your gas fireplace has a pilot light, you can still light it. This gives the gas fireplace an advantage over an electric one.
Maintaining your gas fireplace is much simpler than the wood burning fireplace. Wood produces ashes and you need to be aware of creosote buildup in the chimney. This is not the case with a gas fireplace. There are no ashes and no debris. Simply clean your fireplace annually and have it checked, and enjoy your fire.
Disadvantages of Gas Fireplaces
One of the main disadvantages of a gas fireplace is needing a gas line. If you do not already have one, this could be expensive.
If you really enjoy the sound of the crackling fire and the smell of wood burning, you will miss that with a gas fireplace. Though they can still be relaxing to look at, the ambience created by natural wood burning might be missed.
