GAS • WOOD • PELLET • ELECTRIC
Which Fireplace or Stove Is Right for You? by Lisa Bruckner
P
eople love the look, feel and ambiance a warm fire provides. And with all the uncertainties and challenges 2020 has brought, people are spending more time at home and want to increase their comfort. Here we’ll look at some options to help you decide which best suits your need. For an existing, wood burning fireplace that is outdated, messy
to use, and doesn’t heat well, installing an insert can transform the look of your fireplace and deliver efficient warmth and ambiance with the touch of a remote. I f yo u ’re re mo de l i n g or building a new home, this is the perfect time to install a gas fireplace. With a variety of sizes, styles, and features, they are often the focal point of a room. For a more traditional look and feel, gas, wood, and pellet stoves are a great option. They can even be installed in homes without access to natural gas or electricity. L a s t l y, e l e c t r i c fireplaces provide easy to install, plugand-pl ay ambi ance for homeowners who aren’t concerned about heating or realistic flame requirements. Let’s break it down….
Wood Stove
Wood-Burning Stoves Wood burning stoves provide the romantic crackling fireplace look and feel, but do require more maintenance efforts than a gas burning stove, fireplace or insert.
Pellet Stoves & Inserts Pellet stoves and inserts look like a traditional fireplace or stove, with flickering flames, however, they burn higher efficiency (low moisture) pellets instead of wood.
PROS:
• Wood pellets burn cleanly and
•
Wood burning stoves provide unrivaled authenticity of a wood-burning smell and look that elicits the warm, nostalgic feel of days past.
CONS:
• A chimney is necessary, and
requires regular cleaning and maintenance to prevent soot build up which can be flammable.
PROS: efficiently (highest efficiency option).
• Offer relatively good warmth. • Ash pans at the bottom of the stove make cleanup easier.
• Can be installed on most
exposed walls, giving homeowners tremendous flexibility.
CONS:
• Each gorgeous fire requires
• Pellets are sold in large, heavy
• Wood-burning fireplaces
• Ash clean-up after each
post-fire ash clean-up.
don’t efficiently heat homes. Most of the heat travels back up the mandatory chimney.
bags that require ample, dry storage space. burning session is required.
• Requires weekly maintenance to ensure the firepot is cleaned and maintained.
