A fireplace is a smart addition to a house. It is not only an efficient heating option but can also increase the resale value of the house considerably. Nothing can be better than relaxing in front of a fireplace on a cold, winter evening. Crackling flames heating the room can lift the mood instantly.
There are various things to consider while installing a fireplace. One of these factors includes the type of fuel you choose for the fireplace. While wood is a very common choice, there are various advantages of choosing gas logs for fuel.
Gas logs provide certain additional features that can be highly beneficial for homeowners. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of using gas logs.
Environment-Friendly
Gas is a clean fuel that can be used for burning and it provides similar heating effects as firewood. Natural gas and liquid propane release far less pollutants into the atmosphere than wood. Therefore, many homeowners choose gas logs over wood as a fuel for their fireplaces.
Convenient
Using gas logs for fuel is a highly convenient option. This is because gas logs eliminate the need to cut and split firewood for fuel requirements. You will no longer have to worry about seasoning firewood to get it ready for your fireplace.
Additionally, lighting a gas log doesn’t require as much effort as wood. All you need to do is flip a switch to start the fire. Some options come with a remote control so that you do not have to leave the couch to switch the fireplace on or off. Such ease of getting a fire started makes gas logs a more convenient option for homeowners.
Also, you would not have to worry about the mess that comes with burning firewood. Therefore, gas logs are hassle-free options.
Safety and Maintenance
One of the best aspects of a gas fireplace is that, unlike firewood, it poses no safety threat. While using wood as a fuel could mean sparks flying into the room, thus causing a safety hazard, the same does not apply with gas logs. Therefore, chances of fire are reduced. That being said, it is important to follow safety precautions even while using gas logs.
Gas logs do not decompose while combustion. These do not send embers and ash flying into the room. Also, gas logs generate far less amount of creosote that wood, thus reducing fire hazards and cleaning requirements. Since these are easier to maintain than wood, gas logs have turned out to be popular choices among homeowners.
Cost Effective
Even though a gas log may be more expensive than wood, these last way longer. As a result, you will not have to worry about replenishing your stock every time you light a fire. Additionally, the amount of heat generated from the gas logs and the amount of gas used can be controlled by the homeowner. This means you will be able to restrict and increase the usage of gas as per your requirement.
On the contrary, you will not have as much control over the amount of fuel used while using wood. Therefore, in the long run, gas logs are more cost-effective than wood.
Natural Look
Gas logs are available in a variety of designs and styles. Most of these gas logs look so much like real wood that it is quite difficult to tell the difference. Some of these look absolutely like split oak logs or white birch ones. The designs on these logs include knotholes, patterns that look like real bark, forked branches etc. Some of these even come with marks that look as if an ax has been used to cut these.
Works With or Without a Chimney
While buying gas logs, you can choose between the vented and the vent-free ones. This means these gas logs can work with or without a chimney. With a vented gas log set, most of the warmth of the fire is lost through the chimney. However, the efficiency rate is similar to a traditional fireplace.
With so many advantages of gas logs, more and more homeowners are choosing these over wood. That being said, it is important to maintain your fireplace in order to optimize its efficiency. Therefore, keeping it clean and getting it inspected is necessary. You should get in touch with n chimney sweep in Crawley Down for this purpose if live nearby.
Contributed by: http://jamesthesweep.co.uk/
