Battery backupĮnsures the fireplace will light during a power outage. LED accent lightingĪdds a realistic flickering effect inside the firebox. Electronic ignitionĮliminates the need for a pilot light, saving up to $10 a month in fuel. Wall-thermostat controlĪutomatically adjusts the fireplace’s heat output to the temperature that you set manually or with a handheld remote. (The best units adjust down to 30 percent of full output). Variable-flame height adjustmentĪllows you to dial in just the amount of heat you need, from a whisper of a flame to a roaring fire. These upgrades enhance a fireplace’s convenience, comfort, and good looks. Even so, vent-free units are banned in California and some U.S. They have an oxygen-depletion sensor that automatically shuts them off if a room’s oxygen level dips below 18 percent (20.9 percent is normal). They’re up to 99 percent efficient because all their heat stays in the room-as do all the pollutants.īecause of concerns about air quality, indoor units are fine-tuned to burn extra clean, and their heat output is limited to 40,000 Btus. These units have no flue, so they can be installed anywhere-even hung on a wall like a flat-screen TV. How many BTUs?Ī gas fireplace’s heat output, in Btus, should match your room size, climate, and your house’s insulation level. How much care and maintenance?įor about $150, have your certified technician come once a year to clean and adjust the burner, ensuring that you have realistic, soot-free flames. Do you DIY or hire a pro?įor the safest, most efficient, and best-looking installation, leave the work to a local National Fireplace Institute-certified technician. Choose propane where natural gas isn’t available. Natural gas is less expensive and produces about 5 percent more heat. Decorative log sets run about $400 to $1,000. What to Consider When Choosing a Gas Fireplace How much does a gas fireplace cost?Įxpect to pay $2,000 to $5,000 (including installation) for a heat-producing insert or built-in fireplace. Gas fireplaces can go almost anywhere-in an upstairs bathroom, in a basement, or outdoors-without needing a chimney.You can get as much as 75 to 99 percent of a fuel’s energy back as heat, instead of the 10 to 30 percent for wood fires.The fixed glass panels covering direct-vent fireboxes ensure that the furnace- or boiler-heated air in the rest of the house doesn’t escape up the flue, as it does with a wood fire.A wall thermostat can control the flame size-and therefore heat output-to maintain a specific temperature setting in the room.The fire needs no tending and won’t die out from neglect.You can start, adjust, and snuff out fires with the touch of a remote control.There are no ashes to bag, no smoky smells, no chimney to clean.You don’t have to split, stack, season, or haul logs.Wood-burning fireplaces provide great ambiance, but they can’t beat the easy, no-fuss efficiency of gas. Similar to shown: Adorn 21½-inch B-vent, 7,320-Btu output, $1,900 Victorian Fireplace Shop 8 Reasons to Choose Gas Some have open flames and send emissions through metal B-vents others have fixed glass panels with more efficient direct venting. These replicas fit neatly into vintage coal- and wood-burning fireboxes or can be freestanding. So when the first icy night of winter arrives, all it will take is a click of a remote control for you to cozy up in front of your blazing hearth. We’ll also walk you through the key features to look for and explain how to get a unit that generates enough heat for your particular space. We’ll help you pick the type of gas fireplace that’s right for you. With each gas fireplace type, you have a choice between models that vent the flames’ fumes outside or vent-free versions that discharge all their heat, and exhaust, into the house. Log sets are usually more for looks than warmth. Gas fireplaces come in three types: inserts, for folks who want to retrofit a wood-burning firebox with something more convenient and efficient built-ins, for those who want a fireplace where there isn’t one now and log sets, basic burners that sit in existing, open fireplaces.īoth inserts and built-in fireplaces are reliable heat producers, filling your room with a mix of warm air and radiant heat. Types of Gas Fireplaces: Inserts, Log Sets & Built-Ins Want to find the best gas fireplace for your home? Read on. Long gone are the anemic blue flames and unconvincing “logs.” Modern versions burn much more realistically, with glowing red embers and tall orange-yellow flames that dance and flicker around ceramic-fiber logs molded from the real thing. That’s what you get with today’s gas fireplaces. There’s only one thing better than a roaring fire on a wintry night: a roaring fire that needs no tending, requires minimal cleanup, and doesn’t leave the rest of the house freezing cold.
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