Pros and Cons of Owning a Gas Fireplace

You have a nice empty space in your home and it is in a perfect location for a fireplace. Should you have a traditional one built or an electric one installed? Would you be better off getting a direct vent gas fireplace?

There are pros and cons to owning a Spark modern gas fireplace. Before you make the final decision – here are things that you should know about owning one.

 

Pros

The direct vent gas fireplace is less expensive than having an electric one, which is more for decorative purposes than actually heating the place. You get heat from this fireplace and it’s less expensive? That’s a win right there.

They are safer than other fireplaces. The direct vent gas fireplace draws in outside air and burns gas to get rid of water vapor and combustion gases.

You can easily find professionals to fit these fireplaces into your home. They will ensure that the job is done efficiently. The fireplace will be new as opposed to having to use an old one from years and years ago that constantly needs cleaning.

You can literally just turn on the fireplace to get the flame going. No having to fumble with matches or poke around logs. The air will be much cleaner too, since the gas will create much less smoke than burning logs. That will be easier on your lungs, too.

 

 

Cons

The biggest drawback is that having a vented gas fireplace is that it needs to be sealed in glass. If you like sitting near a roaring fire and feeling the heat, then this is not the one for you.

Speaking of roaring flames, the vent gas flames are smaller than those in other fireplaces, so you won’t be feeling that either. This also detracts from the picturesque quality of the fireplace – Norman Rockwell would likely not have painted someone sitting in front of a vented gas fireplace. But that is something that is more a matter of your own personal preference than an actual con.

You can’t change how the logs are positioned. If you do that, you will experience incomplete combustion, which is something that you definitely don’t want to have to happen. Just like a wood-burning fireplace, which should have a yearly inspection, you will need to have a professional come to maintain this sort of fireplace once a year.

There are a lot of things on either side that can affect your decision-making process. But if you decide that you do want a direct vent gas fireplace, then you want to make sure that it is done right. Look around and do research on what brands are the best and find reputable installers and maintenance companies.

Ultimately, your goal is to be able to enjoy a fireplace on those cold winter nights. If you find yourself sitting in front of it and enjoying it, then you know you made the right decision. That is all that really matters, after all.