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.
What is more cost efficient gas or electric fireplaces?
MRS C B
Answer
Whoa, Whoa, whoa! Lets put some perspective to this answer shall we before we all jump on a bandwagon.
Your most efficient gas fireplace appliance will be a direct vent gas fireplace. they vent directly through the outside wall so it may or may not work with your current fireplace location. DO NOT go with gas logs for heat. vented gas logs are energy and fuel wasters and vent free gas logs effect your indoor air quality. Direct vent is the only way to go if efficiency is your key factor.
On electric...if you plugged your flue with a chimney balloon to prevent cold air infiltration and then put in a electric fireplace insert this is not a bad option. the electric inserts do a decent job putting out heat for relatively little KWH consumption.
Overall the direct vent will give you more heat efficiency for your dollar in use but it is going to be a couple thousand to have it put in. the electric fireplace option is maybe a couple of hundred and is a DIY project.
Whoa, Whoa, whoa! Lets put some perspective to this answer shall we before we all jump on a bandwagon.
Your most efficient gas fireplace appliance will be a direct vent gas fireplace. they vent directly through the outside wall so it may or may not work with your current fireplace location. DO NOT go with gas logs for heat. vented gas logs are energy and fuel wasters and vent free gas logs effect your indoor air quality. Direct vent is the only way to go if efficiency is your key factor.
On electric...if you plugged your flue with a chimney balloon to prevent cold air infiltration and then put in a electric fireplace insert this is not a bad option. the electric inserts do a decent job putting out heat for relatively little KWH consumption.
Overall the direct vent will give you more heat efficiency for your dollar in use but it is going to be a couple thousand to have it put in. the electric fireplace option is maybe a couple of hundred and is a DIY project.
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Title Post: gas or electric fireplace?
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Rating: 100% based on 99998 ratings. 5 user reviews.
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Thank FOr Coming TO My Blog
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