Why Opt for a Gas Fireplace?
Are you ready to scoop your last bit of ash? Gas logs are a convenient alternative to wood burning. Blue Sky Chimney Sweeps/Bless Your Hearth can help you choose the gas log set (Peterson/Rasmussen/Eiklor) that suits you best. We are qualified and certified to install it for you as well.
Let’s compare some of the differences between wood-burning fireplaces and gas fireplaces
Wood-Burning Fireplaces
Gas fireplaces start with the touch of a button and produce an even heat — with zero smoke.
A traditional wood-burning fireplace offers fire where you can really smell and hear the ambiance in your living room. One downside is that wood needs to be seasoned for six months to year. Wood fires are also messy and cleanup is constant.
Maintenance: National Fire Protection Association recommends annual inspections and regular cleanings when needed. As mentioned above, daily clean-up of ash and wood debris is often needed.
Ventilation: Wood burning fireplaces must have a working chimney that properly exhausts the byproducts of combustion (i.e smoke/gases).
Gas Fireplaces
Gas fireplaces start with the touch of a button and produce an even heat — with zero smoke (when properly maintained. Vented units rarely produce unpleasant odors and while they often produce less heat can often provide a more realistic flame than their “unvented” cousins. It usually produces an even heat. The fire that a gas fireplace produces can be safer because it doesn’t move around while it is burning.
Maintenance: The mechanics should be cleaned and checked out annually much like your HVAC system to avoid unexpected loss of use “just when you need it.”
Ventilation:
- Vented fireplaces utilize flues (traditional chimney or direct vent system) to exhaust the byproducts of combustion (i.e. smoke/gases) towards the outside of the living space.
- Unvented (or vent free) systems vent directly into the house and are usually designed with safety measures to detect carbon emissions and oxygen levels for safety and convenience. However following manufactures operating instructions is absolutely necessary to achieve optimum operations and safety with unvented/vent free appliances.
Making the switch to gas logs can be a smart move in some circumstances. It can result in less hands-on maintenance and produce an even heat. Some systems can be started with the touch of a button or the flip of a switch.
Call Blue Sky Chimney Sweeps | Bless Your Hearth and let’s get started today.