| Whether you're looking for a way to heat your home, | | | | remote controls so you don't have to get off the |
| or just want a little romantic ambience in the evenings, | | | | couch. Maintenance is minimal compared to all the |
| a fireplace can be a fun way to achieve both. Which is | | | | work associated with wood-burning fires. Gas |
| the best type of fireplace though? Wood-burning? | | | | fireplaces are even good for area heating—that's |
| Gas? Electric? Something else? | | | | where you just heat the room or living area where |
| Let's take a look at the pros and cons of the three | | | | you're spending most of your time instead of turning on |
| we've mentioned. | | | | the home's central heat and wasting money heating |
| Wood-burning Fireplaces | | | | the whole house. Gas fireplaces can also work when |
| Wood-burning fireplaces come with many homes, and | | | | the power goes out, so they are a nice backup way |
| you may already have one. The downside to wood | | | | to heat the home during a storm or other emergency |
| fireplaces is that you have to buy or cut your own | | | | that leaves you without electricity. |
| wood, store it somewhere dry so it can season, lug it | | | | Anyone who wants the warmth and ambience of |
| in the house whenever you want to build a fire, and | | | | flickering flames without the hassle of buying wood |
| worry about stray sparks and other fire safety issues | | | | and cleaning ashes should consider a gas fireplace. |
| (such as not being able to leave the house while there | | | | Prices usually run about $2,000 for unit and installation, |
| are still embers glowing). | | | | though you can find some deals and get them |
| For all these reasons, many people who have | | | | cheaper from time to time. |
| traditional wood fireplaces don't use them that often. In | | | | Electric Fireplaces |
| addition, a wood fireplace isn't a very good way to | | | | Lastly, let's look at electric fireplaces. They are a |
| heat a home. Much of the heat goes up the chimney, | | | | cheaper alternative to buying a gas insert or |
| and drafts will come down even when the fireplace is | | | | self-contained gas fireplace, and they are much |
| not in use. Fireplaces that burn wood are also messy, | | | | cheaper than having a whole chimney and |
| and you'll have to vacuum ashes often. | | | | wood-burning fireplace installed. You do make quite a |
| On the plus side, a crackling wood fire can be fun, | | | | few sacrifices for that lower cost though. |
| especially in power outages. It's also nice to snuggle up | | | | Electric fireplaces are known for looking even "faker" |
| to when you want a romantic evening at home with | | | | than gas fires. There aren't any actual flames, just |
| your significant other. | | | | digitalized versions that mimic fires. |
| So, who should consider a wood fireplace? If you don't | | | | Since electric fireplaces run on electricity, they won't |
| plan on building fires very often and aren't worried | | | | work during a power outage. They do put out some |
| about heating the house effectively, you can stick with | | | | heat, but it is not the most efficient. They're about on |
| a wood-burning fireplace. Also, if you're in love with | | | | par with space heaters. Indeed many people have |
| "real" fires—you know, the snap, crackle, and pop of | | | | called them glorified room heaters. |
| actual wood going up in smoke—then a substitute | | | | On the plus side, electric fireplaces don't require any |
| fuel just won't work. | | | | sort of installation. They just come with a plug that you |
| Gas Fireplaces | | | | stick in an outlet, and voila: your fireplace is working. |
| Gas fireplaces (which include gas inserts, gas log sets, | | | | They can be a nice choice for people in condos or |
| and self-contained vent-free units that don't require | | | | apartments, where you can't make drastic changes to |
| chimneys) are growing in popularity. Though they lack | | | | the walls (such as building a fireplace in your living |
| the reality of a true fire (sorry, no snap, crackle, and | | | | room). Also, their easy portability means you can move |
| pop here), they can put out a pretty convincing flame. | | | | them from room to room. |
| Their convenience also makes them a winner for | | | | As you can see, gas, electric, and wood-burning |
| many. | | | | fireplaces all have their advantages and |
| With gas fireplaces, all you have to do is flick a switch | | | | disadvantages. Hopefully this article has helped you |
| to turn them on. Upper end models even come with | | | | decide which is best for you. |