Gas or Wood Fireplaces – Which Ignites Your Style? 

Having a fireplace in your home adds beauty. It can also add ambiance and a source of heat. A fireplace has been a focal point of a home for centuries. These days we have options as to which type of fireplace best suits your lifestyle.

When deciding to purchase a fireplace or a home with a fireplace, you may want to think about some things. You have many options.

Gas vs Wood Burning

It is important to do your research before investing in a fireplace. Our technicians at Felgemacher Fireplace Shop are here to help you. Visit us in Buffalo or Rochester, New York.

Safety

A gas fireplace would be a great choice if you are looking for a safe option. With a wood burning fireplace, embers can pop out of the fireplace. This can ruin the floor or furniture nearby. If you have pets or small children, this may be a concern to you as well.

Efficiency

A wood-burning fire can produce very hot temperatures. Unfortunately, the majority of that heat goes up the chimney. The efficiency rating in a wood-burning fireplace is approximately 30-50%, it can be as low as 25%. 

In comparison, a gas fireplace runs at an efficiency rate of 75%- 99%. This depends on the type of appliance you choose. 

Another gas option is a ventless gas fireplace. With a ventless gas fireplace, there is no external ventilation, so there is no heat that escapes. This is the most efficient at 99%.

Ease In Usage

With a gas fireplace, all you have to do is turn a switch.  Sit back and enjoy. But a wood-burning fire needs you to have a firestarter, kindling, as well as split logs. A wood-burning fireplace needs to be tended to throughout the burning time. 

Wood Storage

As assumed, a gas fireplace needs no additional space for storage. With a wood-burning fireplace, you will want to have space indoors as well as outdoors to store your wood. With the need to burn well-cured wood, it is important to keep your outdoor storage dry. So, it is important to have space outdoors to season your stockpile. 

Maintenance

An annual chimney inspection and sweep is recommended on a wood-burning fireplace. Periodic masonry maintenance will be needed as the chimney ages. A gas fireplace will need annual cleanings and inspections as well. There is minimal maintenance.

Call Felgemacher Masonry & Chimney

Since there are many options to choose from, call Felgemacher in Buffalo at 716-907-4914 or in Rochester at 585-308-4914. Our expert technicians will be able to guide you about which fireplace is best for you. 

A clean chimney is a safe chimney, and we’ll keep yours as safe and efficient as it can be. Our owners are certified through the Chimney Safety Institute of America – a stringent industry certification held by only the best sweeps in the U.S. We remove flammable creosote from chimney flues, reducing the chance of a chimney fire. We also remove debris and obstructions that could hamper the drafting of smoke and carbon monoxide.