How to Choose an Efficient and Safe Gas Fireplace

By Mary M. Alward

Safety, Efficiency and Ventilation Tips for Your Gas Fireplace >

Gas fireplaces bring a touch of coziness to a home. They're great for heating a room when the power goes out, warming you up after a brisk winter walk or adding a bit of romance to a special evening.

What is a Gas Fireplace?

The technology of a gas fireplace is really quite simple. A natural or propane gas burner and simulated logs are enclosed in a firebox. Most have a glass front for easy viewing of the fire. By turning the fireplace on using a switch, you can create instant ambiance or an immediate heat source. There's no mess involved with a gas fireplace like there is with a wood fireplace or stove.

Why Gas?

At one time most homes used wood burning fireplaces. Today, the majority of fireplaces are gas. Here's why:

Gas is more energy efficient than wood and there's no mess from woodchips or ashes. Gas is essentially mess free.
Gas fireplaces provide a constant supply of fuel, even when electricity fails.
With a gas fireplace you can turn your fireplace on and off instantly by hitting a switch.
If you purchase a direct vent gas fireplace, combustion gases have very little chance of escaping from the firebox into your home.
Gas, whether natural or propane, is clean burning. When vented outside, they give off a limited amount of particulate emissions and carbon monoxide, which makes them more environmentally friendly than traditional wood fireplaces.

Types of Gas Fireplaces

In recent years the technology of gas fireplaces has progressed in leaps and bounds. There are basically three different types.

Factory Built. A factory built fireplace may also be referred to as a zero clearance unit. This type of fireplace is usually installed during a renovation project or when a home is being built.
Free Standing. A free standing gas fireplace resembles and old fashioned wood burning stove. These fireplaces are most effective as a source of heat because all surfaces are exposed.
Inserts. Gas fireplace inserts are manufactured to be inserted into the cavity of an existing fireplace. They covert the fireplace from wood burning to gas, either propane or natural. If you choose to go with a fireplace insert, the chimney must be completely relined and an approved vent must be installed.

Whatever type of gas fireplace you choose, it has to be installed by a professional heating contractor. However, be sure to check how the vent is installed to ensure energy efficiency and safety.

Choosing a Fireplace

When shopping for a gas fireplace, be sure you select a unit that is energy efficient and safe. Today, fireplaces come with a government rating that tells you a lot about the unit you are considering.

The fireplace you choose should enhance the décor of your home, as well as act as a source of heat. Here are a few tips to assist you in choosing the perfect fireplace.

For energy efficiency and safety, choose a direct-vent unit.
Choose a fireplace with an automatic starter instead of a pilot light. This will make your fireplace more energy efficient.
Choose a unit with a circulating fan that is a squirrel cage type. These are quiet and able to force convective heat into the room.
The fireplace you choose should have ceramic glass front, not one made of tempered glass. Ceramic glass does a great job of transmitting infrared heat from the flame to the room, and it's shatter resistant.
Ask the fireplace salesperson if the fireplace has a secondary heat exchanger. Units that have them push more heat into your home.
The best fireplaces have variable setting controls, which allow you to regulate gas consumption by adjusting the temperature. Be sure to check the turn-down range. Some fireplaces can be turned as low as 20 percent while others can only be adjusted to 70 percent.
Can the fireplace be connected to ductwork? Some fireplaces can, and this allows heat to be evenly distributed through several rooms.

Safety, Efficiency and Ventilation Tips for Your Gas Fireplace >

« Previous

- Back to Top -