Reasons Why People Opt for Gas Fireplaces
Most homes nowadays have a fireplace both for aesthetic and practical reasons. The gas fireplaces are a popular choice, not just because they provide a beautiful option to use instead of the traditional wood burning ones, but also because they are energy efficient. The following will look at some of the other reasons why most people opt for the gas fireplaces.
Besides the fact that you can use it as an alternative for the traditional fireplace, a gas fireplace offers controls to easily turn the flames on and off as well as eliminate the need to stack piles of wood or clean out ashes. On top of that, most gas fireplaces come with a built-in thermostat to maintain a certain room temperature. These fireplaces use propane or natural gas to replicate a wood burning fire place. Generally, the fireplaces will come equipped with gas logs which look just like actual wood, while others have glowing embers to give a more realistic look. A good looking gas fireplace will be designed to hide gas pipes and features tall flames which appear in random pattern, identical to the fire from the burning wood.
Different types of gas fireplaces
The direct vent types will be the most affordable and also the easiest to install, because they do not require a flue or chimney. They are designed to be installed anywhere, even underneath windows, because they are built to allow the horizontal pipes to exit the wall. Since these fireplaces will be fully enclosed and will draw air from outside, you will get to use an energy efficient set up. They are generally designed with wood or brickwork to give a look that is similar to the traditional wood burning fire place.
Next, you have the B-vent and top-vent fireplaces which are not enclosed. Given that these will use the air indoor for burning, they will be less efficient than the direct vent. Removable hinged glass or wire mesh screens will give easy access to the fire.
The vent free or room vented fireplaces will not need air ducts or venting to operate, so they could be installed anywhere. Even though the burners are generally made to lessen carbon monoxide, the room vented or vent free gas fireplaces were banned in many states. Despite the fact that they do satisfy federal safety standards and emissions, if they are used in smaller sized rooms or any airtight spaces they could lower the oxygen to dangerous levels. As a result, most of them include an oxygen-depletion sensor, which switch off the stove if the oxygen levels in the surroundings drop below the safe levels.
Finally, some people will use the gas fireplace inserts in traditional fireplaces to get more heat while using less energy to burn gas rather than wood. These inserts will fit perfectly within the existing fireplace and has to be connected to a pre-existing chimney with an enclosed collar.