Sunday, April 20, 2014

gas or electric fireplace?




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 fireplace?

Q. We bought a beautiful house that is perfect in every way, except for a very ugly fake fireplace. My house is traditional, but the mantel is light oak. Well, actually, it is just about perfect after I have spent 4 years and a lot of money. My last project is the fireplace, and my budget can't take a custom-made job. We are total electric so I don't have the choice of using gas. The electric fireplace w/mantel that I found at Lowe's is made of fake, cheap looking material. If I go through my decorator and her carpenter, it would be perfect, but would cost $6,000 to $10,000. I've done a lot of searching on the web, but I'm confused. I would appreciate any suggestions. My furniture is cherry, some dark antique pieces, and I have a black baby grand, so I need a fireplace that is not only functional but fits with my decor. Thanks!
There is no indention into the wall. They just put Italian marble (strange) where the fireplace would be. It's all flat with the wall. I have a hand-painted screen in front of it, but it is still a useless waste of a long wall. The dimplex is beautiful. Thanks for recommending that. Not sold here, but is available within 200 miles. Such nice people here! Some of the categories have such *angry* people. I was prepared to be insulted. :)


Answer
if you already have a fireplace replace the mantel with one that matches your decor and then just order the logs and a log stand then insert them into your fireplace and plug in when they are on they look real especially if you keep the doors closed a little no one will know we did something simualar but we made a box inserted it into the wall witch backed up to a closet and then we put the screen on and then the logs and when ever any one comes over they think that it is real cause no one looks that close to a fireplace to know if it is real or not good luck hope all works




Powered by Yahoo! Answers

Title Post: gas or electric fireplace?
Rating: 100% based on 99998 ratings. 5 user reviews.
Author: Unknown

Thank FOr Coming TO My Blog

No comments:

Post a Comment