Adding a gas fireplace? Get the right type for your home
The beginning of the school year always signifies the unofficial end of summer. While there are certainly warm days left to enjoy, the evenings quickly become cooler and much shorter. Fall will soon be upon us. And in our region, it can be an awfully short season. Spending time under the night sky gives way to the warmth and comfort of the indoors. So, naturally, the time is perfect for taking care of those interior comforts. When it comes to being cozy and comfortable over a long cold winter, adding a fireplace is always on the top of the list.
Installing a gas fireplace in your home is a perfect way to blend the traditional with style, efficiency, and convenience. Unlike the wood-burning fireplaces of old, today’s gas fireplaces burn much more efficiently. These units are significantly more environmentally friendly than their predecessors – no wood required and minimal emissions. Plus, much more of the energy used goes directly to warming your room rather than heading up and out the chimney. According to the Green Home Institute, a gas fireplace can emit up to 99% less pollutants than a conventional, wood-burning fireplace. That means less health risks, inside and outside the home.
Learn more about beautiful gas fireplaces that could bring warmth and comfort to your home.
Whether your renovation plans will include adapting an existing fireplace or installing a new one, there are a couple key functionality options that you can consider.
Direct Vent is a popular choice – only requiring an exterior wall or roof for venting.
A direct-vent gas fireplace is a very popular choice for almost any room in the home. Like the name implies, the unit can be vented directly to the outside through an adjacent exterior wall or roof. The actual combustion takes place within a closed and sealed system – fresh air is drawn from outside to enable combustion and then sent back up and out through the vent. Only the nice, warm heat and glow from the fire remain in the room.
If you have a larger home where there is a need for distant venting, a power-vent fireplace would be the option for you. This is basically the same system as a direct-vent unit, but the fresh air is pumped into the fireplace unit by a fan. This ensures combustion can occur; without it, there wouldn’t be enough oxygen for the fire to sustain itself.
Gas fireplaces are a beautiful feature for your home that provide convenient comfort.
A huge benefit of all gas fireplace units is their convenience. There really is nothing like coming inside from a bitter-cold winter day, flipping a switch, and enjoying the relaxing warmth of a fire. No chopping and gathering wood, no paper and kindling needed, and no hassles getting it lit. A gas unit also comes with plenty of control. As you’re relaxing on the couch, your thumbs can adjust size and intensity of the flames through a remote control. That way, your fire can always be to your liking. And most units come with various temperature-setting controls as well; enabling you to keep your room at the temperature you find most comfortable.
The styles of gas fireplaces has also diversified in the last couple of decades. Now you can find a unit that suits any décor. There are plenty of options, including direct vent stoves, that are nearly indistinguishable from their traditional wood-burning predecessors. Designs then span the gamut from classical to the ultra-modern; including unique-and-chic units and stand-alone models that provide an eye-catching feature piece for your room.
Would you like some help determining which gas fireplace would suit your home? Whether it’s a new installation, a replacement, or you’re adapting a wood-burning fireplace, we would be happy to help you. Contact us today and let’s make your home even cozier this winter.