You love the idea of a fireplace, but cleaning up ashes and crispy tinder doesn’t sound appealing. If that sounds like you, a gas-burning fireplace may be the better option.
There are several options to choose from, and each has different benefits and drawbacks. The trick is finding out which ones make the most sense for your family and lifestyle.
The type of gas fireplace you want and the home you’re fitting it into both affect the installation process. We’ll give a rundown of some basics.
Gas Log Kits
If you want to convert a wood-burning fireplace, a gas log kit can be installed to give the look of burning logs in your existing fireplace. It is quick and inexpensive to install, but wasteful when it comes to your heating bills.
The damper must be open at all times for safety, meaning that much of the heat is lost out the chimney. Adding tight-fitting glass fireplace doors could allow the damper to be closed, but would also add significantly to the installation cost.
Vent-Free Fireplaces
This option is low-cost and can be used where there is no existing fireplace. However, due to the risk of oxygen depletion and carbon monoxide poisoning, they have been banned in several states and some municipalities. They are legal in Florida, though.
Another concern is that they allow moisture to accumulate indoors, causing all sorts of problems that those of us familiar with Florida humidity know all too well. These should not be considered a primary heat source, but more as a decorative feature to be used sparingly.
Gas Fireplace Inserts
This option avoids the downsides of the other two, completely converting an existing fireplace to use gas safely and efficiently. It is the most costly option, as the best solutions often are. But it does allow your fireplace to be used as much as you want, with easy control over your home’s temperature and no health or safety concerns.
The Installation Process
Having a gas fireplace installed can take as little as one day. However, there are factors that can increase the time necessary to complete the installation.
Having a new fireplace built in, rather than putting the insert into an existing fireplace, can extend the process significantly. If your home is not connected to your local natural gas provider, that will need to be done by the gas company before your new fireplace can be installed.
All told, if there are multiple complicating factors, the whole process could take several days.
How to Plan for Fireplace Installation
The best way to get complete clarity about the best option for your home, the costs involved, and any complicating factors that may increase the timeline of installation is to talk to a professional in gas fireplace installation in Ensley, FL.
Our team will be happy to assess your home and your needs and provide options that will fit your lifestyle and your budget.
Contact the team at Commander Air Inc. Your hometown heating and cooling specialist for three generations.