Fireplaces provide a cozy, comforting solution as winter draws near and the temperatures drop. If you are considering installing a fireplace in your home, you may wonder which is preferable: a gas or wood-burning option.
Several fundamental features can distinguish gas and wood fireplaces from one another. Both gas and wood fireplaces offer distinctive qualities that may be advantageous or disadvantageous, depending on your particular needs and preferences.
There are different pros and cons of gas and wood fireplaces. When deciding between a wood-burning fireplace and a gas fireplace, weighing the advantages and disadvantages is ideal. You should consider which aspects best fit your wishes and needs, like convenience or efficiency.
Here are the differences between gas and wood-burning fireplaces:
Gas vs Wood Fireplace – Convenience
Gas fireplaces are much more practical than their classic wood-burning equivalents. The main factor influencing gas fireplaces’ greater functionality and convenience is the absence of a wood-burning component. Sourcing wood is one of the main downfalls of a wood-burning fireplace.
This can be a hassle and may cost a lot of money if you use your fireplace often. All you have to do to enjoy the warmth of a gas fireplace is to put the gas on, relax, and take it all in.
Gas vs Wood Fireplace – Efficiency
The efficiency of both types of fireplaces is very different. This is not surprising given that they function using very different materials.
Since neither a gas fireplace nor a wood stove requires power, they contribute to lowering overall energy consumption (unlike an electric fireplace). However, there are other resources to consider when determining if gas fireplaces are efficient. Of course, gas appliances will go toward your gas bill, but wood-burning appliances won’t.
Gas vs Wood Fireplace – Customization
You can modify your fireplace to varying degrees, whether it’s gas or wood. Your fireplace’s installation location and intended purpose can be customized. You may use the fireplace for private, individual use or entertaining big groups. Your intentions will determine your customization possibilities.
Gas vs Wood Fireplace – Cost
Which financial commitments are more advantageous: gas or wood-burning fireplaces? One factor that may affect your choice of fireplace style is each fireplace’s various operating costs.
It is important to realize that the efficiency of gas and wood fireplaces is measured differently. BTUs are used to measure the efficiency of gas fireplaces because they burn gas instead of wood. The consumption rate of a unit is an additional important element in efficiency.
Depending on your planned output, you can typically anticipate using between 10,000 and 70,000 BTUs (British Thermal Units) each hour with a gas fireplace. The most used fuels are propane and natural gas, which can be used at varying rates.
You would measure per cord rather than per hour when comparing the expenses of firewood and natural gas. Depending on how you use it, this might be less expensive. Depending on location and demand, a cord of mixed hardwood might cost anywhere from $50 to $100.
Gas vs Wood Fireplace – Safety
Gas fireplaces are generally safer than wood-burning ones, though this depends on several circumstances. For people not interested in physical maintenance, wood units might be viewed as more dangerous. Without routine cleaning, ashes and soot can also build up and cause out-of-control fires.
A gas fireplace can also be used without continual supervision and does not expose you or your family to the same contaminants that a wood-burning fireplace would, such as:
- Benzene
- Formaldehyde
- Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Whether your fireplace is gas or wood-burning, it needs excellent ventilation to operate properly.
Gas vs Wood Fireplace – Cleaning
Cleaning requirements for gas fireplaces and wood-burning fireplaces are very different from one another. Gas fireplaces require substantially less cleaning than wood-burning fireplaces because different combustion byproducts build up in gas and wooden chimneys.
Along with ash and soot that collect on the hearth, burning wood produces creosote, which accumulates on the chimney’s walls. Both a per-use and annual maintenance regimen are required because of this.
On the other hand, gas units need to be checked over and cleaned by a professional at least once a year and should be dusted sometimes. It isn’t much else you can do to maintain the condition of these fireplaces aside from that.
