There are many advantages to using gas fireplaces: They are clean-burning, simple to set up, easy to ignite, and overall practical. However, in order to fully enjoy its benefits, it is important to choose the right kind of gas fireplace for your home. In order to help you make the best choice, here are all the different types of gas fireplaces available on the market.
1. Gas Fireplace Inserts
Why People Choose This Model
Without a doubt, the fireplace insert is one of the most practical and convenient types of gas fireplaces available on the market. Typically, they are fitted into an already-existing firebox. Usually, gas fireplace inserts are meant to replace your regular fireplace with a cleaner and more user-friendly option.
Very often, people choose to install a gas fireplace insert whenever their regular fireplace stops working properly. Another important reason why people make this decision is that their regular fireplace has become too difficult or unsafe to operate.
However, there are those who decide to install a gas fireplace insert for a simpler reason. Gas-burning fireplaces tend to be a lot cleaner and easier to operate than regular fireplaces. This makes them the most convenient of both options.
Fireplace Insert Benefits
More often than not, gas fireplaces can be ignited with the push of a single button. This is possible because they are directly connected to their source of fuel. There are gas fireplace inserts that can be connected to a home’s gas line in order to operate off of it. There are also those that obtain fuel through a connection with a propane tank situated outdoors.
Often, this type of fireplace features realistic-looking ceramic logs in order to provide a more natural look. However, because it does not burn wood or any other solid material, it does not produce smoke or smell.
2. Gas Log Sets
Great Visual Value
Sometimes, people do not need a gas fireplace in order to heat up their home. However, they may choose to get a gas fireplace for decoration and lighting purposes. Whenever this is the case, one of the most requested types of gas fireplaces is the gas log set.
Typically, gas log sets are placed in a standard fireplace or fire pit. Due to having a fuller flame that combusts in a more natural fashion, they are more realistic than the ceramic logs featured in gas fireplace inserts.
Vented and Unvented Gas Log Sets
It’s important to note that gas log sets come in two different varieties: vented and unvented. Vented gas log sets normally ventilate through a regular chimney. Due to this ventilation, they are safe and require little maintenance even when running continuously. Because of this ventilation, however, vented gas log sets do not generate much heat.
On the other hand, unvented gas log sets are more energy-efficient, constituting a more viable source of heat. However, they can’t be used continuously. That’s because they tend to generate carbon monoxide pollution and toxic emissions from their gas-burning action. Not featuring a way to ventilate these emissions, unvented gas log sets can be dangerous when used for prolonged periods of time.
3. Built-In Gas Fireplaces
Much like gas fireplace inserts, built-in gas fireplaces are designed to fit inside a wall. However, unlike gas fireplace inserts, they do not depend on having a preexisting firebox in order to achieve this.
One of the most versatile types of gas fireplaces, built-in gas fireplaces can fit a variety of custom-made fireplace openings. This is a quality that allows them to come in a wide range of styles and sizes. It also allows you to choose what room you want to install it in without having to depend on the original construction blueprints of your home.
Vented and Unvented Built-In Gas Fireplaces
Much like what happens with gas log sets, there are two different types of built-in gas fireplaces: Vented and unvented. In order to prevent accidents, vent-less built-in units use oxygen sensors to monitor the oxygen levels in your home.
Meanwhile, vented units are environmentally friendly. They allow toxic emissions to exit your home through a chimney, a pipe scaling the wall or a specially-created opening in the roof.
4. Freestanding Gas Stoves
Being completely self-contained and independent, freestanding gas stoves do not need to be inserted, mounted or installed in any capacity. Without a doubt, their ability to function anywhere without additional support makes freestanding gas stoves one of the most versatile types of gas fireplaces. As if that was not enough, freestanding gas stoves tend to be relatively lightweight. This feature makes them portable enough to heat up different rooms in the same house without problems of any kind.
Because of their design, freestanding gas stoves are very efficient energy-wise and heat-wise, which only adds to their convenience. As an added benefit, not being limited by a wall, they can radiate heat in all directions, increasing their efficiency in heating up any given room. If desired, a freestanding gas stove can be vented through a chimney, a wall or the roof.
Gas Stoves Allow Mobility
Freestanding gas stoves come in a variety of styles. However, they all have in common an ability to be placed anywhere and function without a previous installation process. Many models also have ceramic logs and embers to provide a realistic rustic look.
Typically, this type of gas fireplace works through a gas pipe that is connected to the house’s gas line. However, there are freestanding gas stove models that depend on gas tanks for fuel.
In Conclusion
Without a doubt, gas fireplaces have gained tremendous popularity. That’s because, in many aspects, they represent a significant improvement from regular fireplaces. In particular, they are advantageous insofar as they are clean-burning, easy to ignite, easy to operate, and adaptable.
As previously mentioned, however, it is important to know the difference between the 4 main types of gas fireplaces before making the choice to buy any particular model. With these differences in mind, you will be able to select a gas fireplace that will provide you with everything you need. What are your experiences with gas fireplaces? Let us know in the comments!