Understanding Your Gas Fireplace
Fireplaces have long been a desired feature for homeowners. Sitting at home on a cold winter night, a fireplace will not only keep you warm, but also add to the ambiance of home. Today, homeowners can add a fireplace to their home, even if they do not have a chimney in place. This has made gas fireplaces an extremely popular choice for homeowners.
A gas fireplace operates in much the same way as a gas stove. There is a pilot light that ignites the main fire source. Instead of having wood logs, however, the fireplace contains imitation logs, which are available in a variety of materials. When lit, most have a hard time distinguishing gas fireplaces from wood fireplaces.
An advantage in having a gas fireplace is that gas burns clean, compared to a wood fireplace that creates smoke and can cause a creosote buildup in the flue of the chimney. In addition, modern gas fireplaces are more energy efficient, as there are ventless fireplaces that can be used. Instead of a significant portion of the heat escaping through the chimney, it remains in the room, making the fireplace a more effective source of heat.
If a homeowner does not have a chimney in place, installing a gas fireplace makes much more sense. A wood-burning fireplace would require extensive remodeling to have a chimney installed. Because gas fireplaces can be installed without vents, the homeowner avoids the added costs and can add the fireplace with minimal remodeling costs.
While there is much less maintenance and cleanup required, the homeowner needs to be aware that some maintenance is required. The fireplace will still have to be cleaned on occasion to remove buildup from dust, carbon, and soot. In addition, if this is being installed in a previous wood burning fireplace with chimney, the homeowner should still have an annual chimney inspection.