Choosing Between Gas and Wood Burning Fireplaces 

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

It’s hard to resist the appeal of of a crackling fire, but how do you decide 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 sensory category. You get the crackle. You get the pop. You get the chance to roast marshmallows indoors. Something you don’t get is an efficient heating source. Wood fires normally receive up to a 15% efficiency rating, a lot lower than a furnace that has regular service performed. They do reach high temperatures, but most of that heat disappears 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 house up and out the chimney. 
• Gas: There have been many aesthetic advances in gas fireplaces. The flames have become more realistic and some models offer varied adjustments in height. The ceramic logs used in gas fireplaces now have the look of the real thing and come complete with glowing embers, which don’t need you to wait while they simmer out. You can simply switch your gas fireplace on and off, giving you more control over your home’s temperature and frees you from having to look after 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 maintained furnace.  

Air Quality and Maintenance 

• Wood: Air quality is crucial to every homeowner. Burning wood produces air pollution in and outside your home and the smoky wood smell that a wood burning fireplace gives off 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 an expert. Much like furnaces that should have furnace service completed annually, gas fireplaces also require periodic cleanings of ashes and spent logs. 
• Gas: Gas fireplaces require a little bit of dusting every now and then and are just about maintenance free. It is recommended that you get your gas fireplace cleaned and adjusted once a year by a professional to keep it running both safely and smoothly. 

If you are interested in converting your wood burning fireplace into a gas fireplace or you need to schedule yearly furnace service, please give us a call at 780-800-9047 or schedule an appointment online. Our experts will have you cuddled up and warm in no time.