How much does it cost to run a gas fireplace? Do gas fireplaces consume the same amount of gas as gas furnaces? If these questions are going around in your mind, you have come to the right place. Hamilton Home Comfort provides clients with the highest quality heating and cooling appliances and services. We understand you are looking for the most efficient heating products to avoid excessively high monthly energy bills. We can help you choose an ideal heating system that will suit your lifestyle and budget. There are a few things to consider when choosing between a gas fireplace and a gas furnace. Continue reading to learn more.
Understand the Efficiency Difference
Efficiency is the measure of heat produced by a furnace or fireplace for the amount of gas consumed. There are two types or levels of efficiency that you need to consider. One is extraction efficiency, and the other is delivered efficiency. Before we discuss it in detail, notice that the efficiency of a heating system depends on its model, manufacturer, brand and other external factors. Furnace manufacturers mention the extraction efficiency of their products. However, the delivered efficiency of a furnace cannot be claimed because ductwork and insulation of a building or house affect the furnace’s efficiency.
On the contrary, a fireplace’s extraction efficiency and delivered efficiency are easily determined. It is so because the fireplace emits heat directly into your home, and the amount of heat produced for the amount of gas consumed can be calculated. Therefore, you can easily evaluate the overall efficiency of a fireplace and pick a system that serves your needs. Bonus tip: Always ensure your appliances are energy-efficient and functioning optimally to avoid excessive fuel consumption.
Important Factors to Consider
Learn about the unique features of each heating appliance before deciding which one is best for you. You can determine the efficiency of a fireplace/furnace and the amount of gas consumed by each by doing some calculations. Additionally, consider these crucial factors, as these can help you choose the less fuel-consuming and energy-efficient system for your needs.
- Model and Design of Heating Appliance
- Natural Gas Prices in Your Area
- Severity of Climate
- Season
- Room Size
It is more fuel efficient to use a gas fireplace when your requirement is to heat a room or small area. Many fireplaces generate heat through radiant energy, which is absorbed directly by the body and makes you feel warmer faster. However, if you want to warm the entire house, the fireplace will use much more gas than a furnace. As a result, a gas furnace is a better choice for heating a large home since it can distribute heat evenly throughout the house via air ducts. A gas fireplace and a gas furnace heat your home with gas, but they do it in different ways. Knowing which approach works best for you will enable you to keep warm as the weather gets colder while also saving money.
You can find out which system is more economical. For two equally cold months, burn the fireplace exclusively for one month and the furnace for the other, and then compare the gas bills. We would pick the gas fireplace if we had to guess which of the two systems would be less expensive to run.
Choose Hamilton Home Comfort
Hamilton Home Comfort has over 25 years of experience in the HVAC industry. We can help you choose the best heating system for your home based on your requirements. Contact us today to receive expert guidance and services.
