Wood Versus Gas Fireplaces: The Great Debate

Are you considering having a fireplace installed? A fireplace gives you a warm and welcoming place for your family to gather, increases the value of your home, and helps lower heating costs. If you are like most homeowners, you are wondering, which is better, a wood or gas-burning fireplace? It is a question that has been posed from generation to generation. To help you understand, here is a guide to wood versus gas fireplaces: The Great Debate.

What Makes Wood and Gas Fireplaces Different?

A wood-burning fireplace, or masonry fireplace, is normally constructed of brick and mortar and is part of the house.

A gas-burning fireplace can be masonry, similar to a wood-burning fireplace, or be entirely made of metal. Gas-burning fireplaces can also be a stand-alone or an insert that slides into an old wood-burning fireplace.

The Ups and Downs of a Wood-Burning Fireplace

The Ups of a Wood-Burning Fireplace

Heat Production

Wood-burning fireplaces actually generate better heat than gas-burning fireplaces and are a dependable heat source if there is a power outage.

Ambiance

The sound of firewood lazily crackling, the aroma of burning pine, and the presence of burning logs can create a relaxing and welcoming environment for the entire family to enjoy.

Energy Bills

If you can gather firewood around your house or buy bargain-priced wood, a wood-burning fireplace can be a dependable and cost-effective heating option.

The Downs of a Wood-Burning Fireplace

Cleaning and Maintenance of a Wood Burning Fireplace

Excess ash and soot from charred logs can be a nuisance to clean up. Sweeping up after a fire in your fireplace is a necessary chore, and having your chimney serviced is just as necessary. A black, sticky, stubborn, and easy-to-ignite substance called creosote will blanket the interior of your chimney every time you burn logs in your fireplace. If a reputable and qualified chimney sweep service doesn’t extract the creosote, there is an increased chance of a chimney fire happening. So, keep in mind that not only do you have to tidy up after a fire, but you also have to remember to have regular maintenance performed on your chimney.

Labor Involved with a Wood-Burning Fireplace

The labor involved in chopping firewood is considerable. Even when you purchase firewood, a certain amount of labor is involved. As we mentioned, you have to start the fire and remove ashes from the fireplace afterward.

Heat Retention of a Wood-Burning Fireplace

A major downside to wood fireplaces is that they often let heat escape through their chimney, which requires more logs to keep the house warm.

The Ups of a Gas-Burning Fireplace

Gas-Burning Fireplaces Are Convenient

The convenience of a gas-burning fireplace is a strong selling point. It ignites with the flip of a switch, and you don’t have to collect or purchase wood to burn in it.

Gas-Burning Fireplaces Have Less Cleanup

With a wood-burning fireplace, there are ash, soot, and chard logs to deal with; gas-burning fireplaces have none of those chores.

Heat Retention of a Gas-Burning Fireplace

Direct-vent gas fireplaces are significantly more energy-friendly than wood-burning fireplaces and boast much greater heat retention. It’s true that wood fireplaces can cut heating costs, but gas-burning fireplaces are substantially more efficient and can reduce heating bills even more.

Gas-Burning Fireplaces Provide Consistent Heat

A gas-fueled fireplace has a marked advantage over wood-burning fireplaces—constant heat level without continually throwing logs into the fireplace. A wood-burning fireplace burns only when there are logs in it, making heating your home inconsistent.

The Downs of a Gas-Burning Fireplace

The Ambiance of a Gas-Burning Fireplace

There is competition when it comes to ambiance, a wood-burning fireplace is clearly the champ. A gas-burning fireplace has a nice fire, and artificial logs help, but it’s just not the same as a wood-fueled fire.

Energy Bills and a Gas-Burning Fireplace

Unlike wood, natural gas is determined by market forces. So, the cost of using a gas-burning fireplace can vary at a given point in time. If the natural gas market is up, then costs may be higher to use a gas-burning fireplace than a traditional wood-burning one.

Installation Costs of a Gas-Burning Fireplace

Installing a gas fireplace in your home can be expensive, and you need an experienced chimney sweep service to correctly install the gas and ventilation; otherwise, there could be issues with gas in your home or a small blast that could start a house fire.

Power Outages and Gas-Burning Fireplaces

If a power outage occurs, you will need a backup power source to light your fireplace; this could be a risky proposition in freezing temperatures if you don’t have another power source.

In Short

As you can tell, there are good and bad points about wood and gas-burning fireplaces. The argument over the two types of fireplaces boils down to what you like. Your tastes and choices are the key to what kind of fireplace you want.

Chimney Sweeps, Inc. Can Help You Choose Between Gas and Wood-Burning Fireplaces

If you are in the greater San Diego area, get in touch today. We can help you decide between gas and wood-burning fireplaces and install them. We are here to serve you, so get in contact with us right away.