subject: What To Know About Gas Fireplace Inserts [print this page] If you love the beauty of a fire on the hearth, but dislike the mess of dealing with firewood, you will want to learn about gas fireplace inserts. These heating devices fit inside your existing fireplace and allow you to have an instant fire with the click of a button. There is no mess to clean up when the fire is done.
Gas heat is clean and efficient. The insert uses a small vent that goes through your existing chimney to vent any gases of combustion out of the home. Most of the flue is blocked so that you do not get down drafts of cold air infiltrating your home when there is no fire. In addition, this prevents heated air from escaping the home.
Starting a wood fire can be a difficult task. Fine dry kindling must be laid on the hearth and lit. Slowly you can add wood to the fire to prevent putting out the small flames. By the time the fire is burning well, the room is overheated.
A gas fire allows the user to turn the heat on or off at will. Newer inserts offer a remote control or may be controlled using a thermostat. A piezoelectric starter provides the spark to start the fire so there is no need for a pilot light. When the logs are heated you see what looks just like a real wood fire.
Burning wood can be a very labor intensive and expensive way to enjoy a fire. Since most homeowners do not have access to their own supply of firewood, their only option is to buy it at a very expensive price. If you buy wood by the cord, you must have a place to store it in the dry. If you buy it at the grocery or convenience store, you pay an arm and a leg for a single fire.
Of all the ways to heat a home, gas is one of the least expensive and most convenient. In fact, homes that already have gas heat will probably see very little change to the bill by adding the gas insert. You may find that the bill is lower if you heat the main living space with the fireplace and allow the remainder of the home to stay cooler.
Gas fireplace inserts are much easier to use than a traditional fireplace. They are more convenient and offer excellent control over the temperature. In addition, they do not make the mess of a wood fire. Use can lower your heating bills, especially if you have been using electric heat.
