Fireplaces have been the centre of attention in winter. As the chilly months approach and temperatures drop, there is nothing as tempting as a warm and crackling fireplace to form a cosy ambience in the comfort of your home. When imagining the feel of a fireplace, most people think of classic wood-burning variety.
However, today's homeowners have several choices to fit their lifestyle into the home accessories. It could be either a dual gas or wood-burning fireplace. Let's dive into the benefits and drawbacks of a fireplace, the distinction between a dual gas and a wood-burning fireplace, and the multiple factors you should consider before buying one.
Distinctions Between Dual Gas and Wood-Burning Fireplace
The important distinctions to consider between dual gas and wood-burning fireplaces are:-
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Convenience
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Customization
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Efficiency
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Cost of operation
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Installation and Maintenance
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Sensory experience
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Environmental Impact
Dual Gas Fireplace
Gas fireplaces are one kind of practical alternative to wood. It circulates warm to two sides at once. These fireplaces either use natural gas or propane to fuel their flames. Many gas fireplaces come with decorative limitations that replicate the look of a traditional wood fire, producing a cosy and veritable ambience.
Convenience - Here, we have a switch or remote control to turn the dual gas fireplaces on or off. For people with hectic schedules or those needing relaxation after a tough day, it is an ideal choice to warm up.
Customization - Dual gas fireplaces provide various customization options, including crystals, rocks and logs.
Efficiency - These stand out for their cleanliness and easy maintenance, as they produce little soot compared to wood-burning fireplaces. Also, no need to clean the ashes and eliminate the worry about sparks and embers, increasing safety and decreasing the risk of accidental fire.
Cost of Operation - Considering the operational costs when comparing gas fireplaces is essential. A natural gas fireplace operates at about 40,000 BTUs hourly and might run about $0.48 per hour, while a propane unit at the same output would cost $1.10 per hour.
Installation and Maintenance - The amount for installing a gas unit in your home will normally range from $2,300-$4,000 with the need to maintain it every 12 months is perfect for safety precautions.
Sensory Experience - Gas fireplaces produce real flames, and you won't be missing out on the glow and the warmth except the smell and sounds of the wood.
Environmental Impact - It produces almost no emissions compared to wood-burning fireplaces. Also, high efficiency with most of the fuel converted into heat, lessening waste and energy use.
Wood-Burning Fireplace
A classic wood-burning fireplace is what a homeowner visualizes for their frozen days as it offers the glow of dancing yellow flames and orange hot coals that give the room a cosy, warm look and feel. The crackling sound of the woods lightening up with the burning wood's smell bestows a nostalgic comfort and an ambience of joy. And, if you have a big fireplace and have used the right wood, you can even cook in it with the right cookware.
Convenience - Maintaining and tending the fire requires a lot of effort. One has to buy it or chop the wood, then position it in a certainly specified manner so the blazes take hold. And continue to reposition the log to keep the fire going.
Customization - You can customize it as per the use of place.
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You can have a single-sided fireplace which includes innovative air movement technology and uses only outdoor air for combustion to prevent stuffiness in the home.
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If you want an aesthetic look with add-ons like BBQ grills, see-through fireplaces are the key.
Efficiency - They help reduce the overall energy consumption and do not add utility costs but need a consistent supply of firewood.
Also, improve efficiency by sealing the fireplace in a box, decreasing heat loss. But traditional wood- burning fireplaces lose more than 90% of their heat through the chimney.
Cost of Operation - A cord of mixed hardwood ranged between $50-$100 depending upon demand and location as measured per cord.
Installation and Maintenance - These are quite cheap as they cost less than gas fireplaces, ranging between $1,900 and $3,300.
Sensory Experience - You can feel the warmth on your skin, watch the glow of the dancing flames and smell the forest as the cedar, fir or other wood burns.
Environmental Impact - Wood-burning fireplaces can be a sustainable choice from the eco-friendliness perspective, as wood is a renewable energy source.
Conclusion
A sweet mix of getting heat at both sides(dual gas fireplace) and warmth filled in the entire room ( wood-burning fireplace) has one benefit: it increases your house's market resale value by up to 12%. The features create a gathering place for friends, family and guests, no matter what kind of fireplace it is. Both add value to the home, but you can go through the pros and cons and settle with your preference.
