jonass21
I have a 224 sqft room that has an old in wall gas heater. I want to tear out the old in wall heater and put in a fireplace, should I go electric or gas? Which is cheaper to run? Would electric add as much value to the home as gas?
Answer
Electric fireplaces are strictly for looks or for adding to spaces where there simply is no means of installing a fireplace or the cost to do so is prohibitive. They produce about as much heat as a hair dryer and the flame effect looks very unrealistic.
A gas fireplace can heat the entire room...along with a good portion of the house, depending on the type of fireplace you choose and the efficiency. Gas fireplaces come in 4 different types:
1) Natural Vent (least efficient)
2) Direct Vent (very efficient)
3) Ventless or Vent-Free (super efficient...but with drawbacks)
4) Wood Burning Fireplace with a Gas Log Installed (Vented of Ventless gas logs)
An electric fireplace will add little or no value to the home. The above 4 types of fireplaces will add value to the home. A wood burning fireplace with a gas log added to it will add the most value to the home because it allows a potential buyer to remove the gas logs and burn real wood if they so choose. A vented gas log installed in a wood burning fireplace will give you the most realistic looking fire but produces the least amount of heat. A ventless gas log installed in the same wood burning fireplace will be less realistic but will provide the most heat.
There is a significant expense involved in installing a fireplace. Ventless gas fireplaces are the least expensive to install since they do not have a chimney or vent. A direct vent gas fireplace is next as far as installation expense if it can be installed on an outside wall because the vent can come directly out the back of the fireplace and go through the wall with a termination cap just outside (no vertical chimney). Natural Vent gas fireplaces and Wood Burning fireplaces both require a chimney or vent that goes vertically through the roof, so they are more expensive to install. There are huge differences in the prices of each fireplace itself in addition to the cost of installation. For example, a wood burning fireplace and chimney pipe will cost substantially less than a direct vent gas fireplace, but the installation cost will make the overall cost substantially more for a wood burning unit.
I would suggest Googling the above fireplace terms and doing some research. Then go visit a local fireplace shop...they should be able to explain the differences between all of the above options including an electric fireplace.
Electric fireplaces are strictly for looks or for adding to spaces where there simply is no means of installing a fireplace or the cost to do so is prohibitive. They produce about as much heat as a hair dryer and the flame effect looks very unrealistic.
A gas fireplace can heat the entire room...along with a good portion of the house, depending on the type of fireplace you choose and the efficiency. Gas fireplaces come in 4 different types:
1) Natural Vent (least efficient)
2) Direct Vent (very efficient)
3) Ventless or Vent-Free (super efficient...but with drawbacks)
4) Wood Burning Fireplace with a Gas Log Installed (Vented of Ventless gas logs)
An electric fireplace will add little or no value to the home. The above 4 types of fireplaces will add value to the home. A wood burning fireplace with a gas log added to it will add the most value to the home because it allows a potential buyer to remove the gas logs and burn real wood if they so choose. A vented gas log installed in a wood burning fireplace will give you the most realistic looking fire but produces the least amount of heat. A ventless gas log installed in the same wood burning fireplace will be less realistic but will provide the most heat.
There is a significant expense involved in installing a fireplace. Ventless gas fireplaces are the least expensive to install since they do not have a chimney or vent. A direct vent gas fireplace is next as far as installation expense if it can be installed on an outside wall because the vent can come directly out the back of the fireplace and go through the wall with a termination cap just outside (no vertical chimney). Natural Vent gas fireplaces and Wood Burning fireplaces both require a chimney or vent that goes vertically through the roof, so they are more expensive to install. There are huge differences in the prices of each fireplace itself in addition to the cost of installation. For example, a wood burning fireplace and chimney pipe will cost substantially less than a direct vent gas fireplace, but the installation cost will make the overall cost substantially more for a wood burning unit.
I would suggest Googling the above fireplace terms and doing some research. Then go visit a local fireplace shop...they should be able to explain the differences between all of the above options including an electric fireplace.
Electric Fireplace?
Andy D
I live in an apartment, with electric baseboard heat. I bought an electric fireplace, with hopes that it would lower my electric bill a little, and look nice at the same time. It doesn't seem to heat very well. Should I return it and get something different? Maybe a space heater with a bit more powerful of a fan? I'm just looking for something to supplement the electric baseboard, because it can be VERY expensive to run.
Thanks!
Answer
Electric fireplaces are basically for looks. And a space heater can be very dangerous if knocked over or can get really hot. If you live in the middle of the apartments... meaning not on a corner unit and not on the top floor I wouldn't worry about heating. You are going to get a lot of heat from the other apartments. I would just buy some extra blankets and get some sweats. When I have lived in apartments and now I live in a town home in the center the heating has never been an issue. I have had to many times have the patio door open to get rid of the excess heat. And I live in Minnesota!
Electric fireplaces are basically for looks. And a space heater can be very dangerous if knocked over or can get really hot. If you live in the middle of the apartments... meaning not on a corner unit and not on the top floor I wouldn't worry about heating. You are going to get a lot of heat from the other apartments. I would just buy some extra blankets and get some sweats. When I have lived in apartments and now I live in a town home in the center the heating has never been an issue. I have had to many times have the patio door open to get rid of the excess heat. And I live in Minnesota!
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Title Post: gas or electric fireplace?
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