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How to Choose Between a Gas or Electric Fireplace for Your Home

electric fireplace

Investing in a gas or electric fireplace can be a great addition to your home. However, deciding between a gas or an electric fireplace takes careful consideration. Both options have pros and cons, depending on how and where you use them.


Assess Your Needs

You must assess your family’s needs when investing in a new fireplace. Are you purchasing a fireplace for the warmth and heat one can provide or is it to set the mood or increase the ambiance of a certain room? For example, your basement rec room may need extra heat to take the chill off on those cooler evenings. In that case, a gas fireplace may be the best option to give you additional warmth while adding some extra pizazz to your rec room. Alternatively, you may want a romantic atmosphere for your master bedroom but don’t need additional heat. Then, an electric fireplace is ideal to set the mood while still providing enough warmth. Plus, they operate with remote controls, so you don’t need to leave your bed to turn it on or off. Here are some pointers to get you started.


Electric Fireplaces

lectric fireplaces are less expensive than gas ones. They’re also easier and cheaper to install. Moreover, electric fireplaces are:

  • Flexible. You can use one in just about any room of your house because it doesn’t require a vent outside. All you need is an electrical outlet.

  • Low maintenance. Electric fireplaces require little to no maintenance and are easy and convenient to use.

  • Eco-friendly. Electric fireplaces don’t burn fossil fuels and don’t produce greenhouse gases.

On the downside, you can’t use an electric fireplace as a heat source during a power outage. Electric models also produce less heat than gas ones. Finally, electricity is typically more expensive than gas, so any upfront savings may be cancelled out by long-term operating costs.


Gas Fireplaces

Gas fireplaces are more complex than electric ones. Therefore, they’re more expensive to buy. However, gas fireplaces have the following advantages:

  • They produce more heat. Burning gas produces much more heat than electric elements.

  • They’re easy to maintain. Gas fireplaces are also easy to maintain, requiring only annual servicing for peak performance.

  • They create real flames. A gas fireplace produces real flames instead of faux flames that an electric unit creates.

  • They’re dependable. You can use a gas fireplace as a heat source during a power outage.

Gas fireplaces become hot to the touch when you use them, so they can be a safety hazard for kids or pets. They’re also less flexible than electric fireplaces because they require gas lines and chimney venting, and should be installed near an exterior wall.


Fireplace Installation in Orangeville, Alliston and Surrounding Communities

At Don’s Heating & Cooling, we offer a wide variety of fireplaces to add both beauty and comfort to your home. Options include direct vent fireplaces, gas and propane inserts and stoves and electric fireplaces. Contact us today to learn more about our fireplaces or visit one of our showrooms in Orangeville and Alliston.


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