Everything You Need to Know About Replacing Your Wood Fireplace for Gas

Posted in Gas Fireplace Installation, on July 25, 2024

Fireplaces are beloved items in many people's homes. They are symbols of warmth and comfort and can help create ambiance in any living or family room. Fireplaces are both functional and aesthetically pleasing, so it's essential to choose the right type to achieve your practical and visual goals. Wood-burning fireplaces are common in older homes, and although they do provide a unique aesthetic, they are less functional than gas fireplaces. This is why many people elect to replace their existing wood fireplaces with gas. Gas fireplaces are more efficient than wood-burning fireplaces as there is much more temperature control, and they often heat up more quickly and evenly. Wooden fireplaces are challenging to keep clean, as you consistently need to clear soot and replace the wood. Gas fireplace cleaning is much easier. Overall, replacing your wooden fireplace with gas is a great choice. Fireplace experts are well-versed in fireplace makeovers. If you are looking for a fireplace repair or want to swap out your existing fireplace for gas, contact us today! 

Efficiency

When you replace your wood-burning fireplace with gas, you can expect an increase in efficiency. There is nothing inherently wrong with wood fireplaces. However, they do not provide consistent heat, as the primary heat source is fire, which is not easily controlled. This means that it may take longer to heat your fireplace, and it may get too hot at some point, meaning you may need to make adjustments at some point. With a gas fireplace, you have precise control over the temperature. Many options have thermostats or remote controls that allow you to select how warm you want your fireplace to be. This also ensures that your fireplace temperature remains consistent. Gas fireplaces also retain heat much better than wood fireplaces. Wood fireplaces can release a lot of heat through the chimney. 

Cleanliness

Switching to a gas fireplace from a wooden one can also provide a cleaner environment. Wood-burning fireplaces are messy by nature. They require natural wood to burn, and this can result in a lot of residual soot. This will need to be cleaned after every single use. The ash can be extremely messy to clean up since it is usually very fine, so you need to be very careful to ensure you don’t stain any carpets or furniture. With a gas fireplace, you do not need to go through this struggle. Gas fireplaces are contained behind glass, meaning you do not have to worry about cleaning any burnt wood or ashes. Most gas fireplace owners require one professional fireplace cleaning a year, but many people wait much longer without any issues.  

Although wood fireplaces are considered to be safe, they can cause carbon emissions that can impact the indoor air quality of your home. If your fireplace is left on for too long in an enclosed space, it can ruin the air quality and result in the release of carbon monoxide. Inhaling burned ashes or carbon monoxide is very toxic and can cause respiratory problems. If you are someone who likes to leave the fireplace on for an extended period, gas is always the better option, as it does not release carbon monoxide and does not impact your air quality. 

Convenience

Once you switch from a wood-burning fireplace to a gas fireplace, you’ll notice how low maintenance and convenient it is to own one. To use a wood fireplace, you need to:

• Collect or buy the appropriate wood
• Position the wood so it can foster a safe fire
• Start the fire by igniting the wood
• Add wood accordingly to grow it to your desired size
• Continually pay attention to it to ensure it does not get out of control
• Clean the residual ashes and burnt wood

Owning a wood fireplace requires a lot of manual labour, which is not convenient. Gas fireplaces are very low maintenance. All that is needed is for you to turn it on and select a temperature. Many fireplaces even come with remote controls, which makes using them even more convenient. If you want a low-maintenance fireplace, gas is definitely the right choice. 

Switch to a Gas Fireplace with Fireplace Experts

Gas fireplaces are much more convenient than wood-burning fireplaces. When you swap from wood to gas, you’ll immediately notice how consistent the temperature of your fireplace is. You’ll have much more control over the temperature of a gas fireplace compared to a wood fireplace, as they can be set to particular temperatures. Gas fireplaces are also more low-maintenance and easier to clean. Overall, the convenience of owning a gas fireplace makes it a more favourable choice. If you want to switch out your wood fireplace, contact Fireplace Experts today! We offer gas fireplace cleaning, makeovers, and fireplace repairs! Contact us now to book a service call!

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