Gas Fireplaces, Inserts vs. Log Sets

Thinking of buying a gas fireplace for your home? They make wonderful additions. My parents have two in their home, and I am saving up to have a gas line installed in my condo, so I can put in a gas insert of my own.

It's hard to beat the ease of simply flipping a switch to turn on a fireplace, and with gas units, there's no mess either. I don't know about you, but I hate cleaning up ashes and those chips of wood that always end up on the floor around the hearth. Sure it's nice to have crackling wood and real flames, but I'd rather just enjoy that when I'm out camping (nobody cares if you clean up the ashes or wood slivers at the campground...)

If you're thinking of installing a gas fireplace, there are a couple different ways to go. For example, you might want to just install a gas line to your existing fireplace and leave the option to burn wood logs when you want. Or if you want something energy efficient that will keep you warm even if the electricity goes out, a gas insert that fits into your existing hearth may be the answer.

Here's the lowdown on gas inserts and fireplaces:

Regular gas fireplaces are built in the same manner as the regular masonry fireplaces you're used to, but they are outfitted with gas jets. The jets are hidden by a synthetic log set (usually made from a fireproof material but crafted to look like authentic wooden logs).

When you turn on a gas fireplace, you must have the damper open, just as you would when burning a wood fire. (Some manufacturers fix the damper so it's permanently open to ensure safety.)

Since a lot of energy can escape up an open chimney, this isn't the most energy efficient type of fireplace to install (on the other hand, a gas insert doesn't let heat escape and at the same time it puts out a lot of warmth), but if you live in a climate where winters are mild, it may not matter. You may prefer a model that doesn't heat up the house. If you do want a traditional gas fireplace and you're worried about energy efficiency, you can get special glass doors for in front of the fire box. Simply keep them closed when the flue is open, and you won't have to worry about heat escaping up the chimney.

Since the idea of a gas fireplace insert may interest you, we'll cover those too. They're actually quite a bit more popular than simple gas log sets for traditional fireplaces.

Gas inserts are installed in the same manner as a wood stove insert or prefab model. They are typically lightweight steel fireboxes set within a wood-framed box. They maintain a clearance of one to two inches between the fireplace unit and any combustible material surrounding it.

Though prefab gas fireplaces are often considered more for ambiance than as a heat source, I've always found them great for area heating. In the winter, it can be a lot more efficient just to heat the room you're spending time in rather than turning on central heat to warm up the whole house. After all, how much time do you spend in the bedroom in the middle of the day?

If you are thinking of getting a gas fireplace that is efficient at heating, make sure to order one that is "heater-rated." Consider the BTUs and other factors. Tell the salesman you want something that is efficient (though gas tends to be more efficient than electric--and tons more efficient than burning wood--on its own).

So in short, gas inserts are best if you want a heater as well as a source of lively flames, but a gas log set installed in a regular hearth can be fun if all you're interested in is ambiance.

You can read more about gas fireplaces at this fireplace blog. If you're thinking of installing a gas fireplace, it's also worth learning about gas detectors.