Choosing Between Gas and Wood Burning Fireplaces 

A fireplace adds character and value to your home. When homebuyers imagine their perfect house, the dream typically includes a comfortable home that keeps you and your family warm in the winter, either with a smoothly running furnace or getting comfy around a cozy fire. 

It’s hard to resist the allure of of a crackling fire, but how do you pick between a gas or wood burning fireplace? There are many factors to consider when deciding how to make sure your home stays warm through those cold, winter months. 

Aesthetics and Efficiency  

• Wood: A wood burning fireplace typically wins in the sensation category. You get the crackle. You get the pop. You get the ability to roast marshmallows indoors. Something you don’t get is a powerful heating source. Wood fires normally receive up to a 15% efficiency rating, considerably lower than a furnace that has consistent service performed. They do reach high temperatures, but most of that heat is lost up the chimney. Wood burning fireplaces not only lose the heat coming from the fire, but it also pulls warm air from other parts of the home up and out the chimney. 
• Gas: There have been many style advances in gas fireplaces. The flames have become more realistic and some designs offer diverse adjustments in height. The ceramic logs used in gas fireplaces now have the look of the real thing and come complete with glimmering embers, which don’t require you to wait while they simmer out. You can simply switch your gas fireplace on and off, providing you more control over the temperature of you home and frees you from having to keep an eye on your fire. The lack of fire stealing oxygen gives gas fireplaces a 75% to 99% efficiency rating. Just picture the level of comfort you could achieve when you pair that with a fully serviced furnace.  

Air Quality and Maintenance 

• Wood: Air quality is crucial to every homeowner. Burning wood generates air pollution in and outside your home and the smoky wood aroma that a wood burning fireplace exudes could be hazardous to your family’s. Wood also creates a byproduct called creosote that lines the coating of the chimney and must be removed by a professional chimney sweep. Much like furnaces that should have furnace service completed consistantly, gas fireplaces also require recurrent cleanings of ashes and spent logs. 
• Gas: Gas fireplaces only require a bit of dusting every now and then and are just about maintenance free. It is advised that you get your gas fireplace cleaned and adjusted once a year by a professional to keep it operating both safely and effectively. 

If you are wanting to find out more information about converting your wood burning fireplace into a gas fireplace or you need to schedule your yearly furnace service, please call us at at 780-800-7092 or schedule an appointment on our website. Our experts will have you cuddled up and comfortably warm in no time.