Buying a fireplace is a great idea if you want to give your home a luxurious upgrade that adds value and style. With so many amazing options available on the market, it can be difficult for you to decide which one is best suited to your needs. Trusting a professional is the best way for you to get exactly what you’re looking for while staying within your budget and the experts at Hamilton Gas Fireplace Installation & Services can help you.
Electric vs Gas fireplaces
When you start to look for a fireplace that will fit your home, you need to start by deciding whether you want a gas or an electric fireplace. Both have their pros and cons and one may be more suited to the home you’re in than the other one so talk to an expert at Hamilton Fireplace Services about what kind will work for the area you need to heat.
The most affordable and easiest to install fireplaces are gas and electric. These have come a long way and they’re both full of great features that make them a great idea when it comes to heating your home. Let’s have a look at some of the features that are different when it comes to gas and electric fireplaces.
What is the overall price for installation and equipment?
Gas: These fireplaces are usually more expensive to install due to the extra work that might need to be done to create a ventilation system unless an existing system is already in place. The price will vary, depending on the installation requirements.
Electric: These fireplaces are cheaper to install and they require no exterior ventilation systems. The main cost is usually for the unit itself and that will depend on what style and size you’re choosing.
What are the requirements?
Gas: They require a gas line which will need to be added if your home doesn’t have one or doesn’t have an accessible line in the area you’d like. You can NOT hook up a gas line by yourself and you MUST hire a technician. This is a very dangerous job if done incorrectly and you can injure yourself or your family.
Electric: They only require power from your outlet but they may require you to run a new line or even a dedicated circuit if the fireplace’s voltage is too high for your regular system.
How fast can I have it installed?
Gas: These fireplaces usually take longer as far as installation due to the ventilation system that needs to be installed but if one is already in place then it can be done very quickly.
Electric: Installation of the fireplace itself is relatively quick and easy but you may require some framing or drywall work to get it in a secure and nice-looking space.
What is the overall cost to run?
Gas: The cost of running the gas fireplace will depend on the rates of your local gas company. Gas is usually more expensive and you will need to use more of it.
Electric: The cheaper option may be electric but you will need to check the local rates on your hydro bill before you decide.
How often do I need to maintain it?
Gas: A gas fireplace is simple to maintain and just requires a quick wipe of the glass front with whatever cleaner the manufacturer recommends. YOu will also need to clean out the ventilation flue once a year.
Electric: Electric fireplaces require a quick dusting to remove any built-up debris around vented areas and you can remove the glass and clean the interior if you’d like but make sure to use the proper cleaning supplies to avoid any flammability.
How safe is the fireplace?
Gas: Gas fireplaces may become hot to the touch so you will need to keep an eye on pets and children. You will also need to make sure that nothing around the area is flammable. You also need to check that the fireplace is venting outside properly and that the vents aren’t blocked or you would end up with a build-up of toxic carbon monoxide.
Electric: Make sure it is installed properly with no loose or frayed wires and keep flammable materials away from the fireplace to ensure you stay safe.
An expert at Hamilton Gas Fireplace Installation & Services will be able to go through each option and help you decide. Energy-efficient home heating is a great idea for upgrading your home and it will likely add value in the future. Homeowners love to move into a home with an upgraded system.
Eco-friendly fireplace solutions
When it comes to eco-friendly fireplaces, these are both better options over wood-burning fireplaces and they both produce far fewer carbon emissions. There are different aspects about each one that made them eco-friendly fireplaces so let’s have a look at the details on each one.
Gas fireplaces
A gas fireplace uses faux logs to mimic the look and feel of a real fireplace without the smoke and extra emissions that come with burning real wood. While they are still burning fossil fuels, they are producing fewer emissions while giving off a higher temperature. It is considered the cleanest burning of all of the fossil fuels but it is considered to have a severe indirect negative impact due to the excavation that is needed to obtain it.
Electric Fireplaces
An electric fireplace uses the electricity that your home is likely already using to create heat for your home. They have no emissions and they can easily be recycled which makes them a great idea for an eco-friendly fireplace. There may be a slight environmental impact based on the way they are manufactured and created but it is far less than the impact of wood-burning fireplaces.
Overall, both fireplaces are much better for the environment than a traditional wood-burning fireplace but each of them has its own upsides and downsides. Choosing the one that suits you and your home is easy when you are working with a professional. Your friends at Hamilton Fireplace Services will be able to guide you in the right direction and help you choose your new fireplace.
