Which gas fires are the most efficient?
Which Gas Fires Are The Most Efficient?
- Open Front Gas fires. Open front gas fires look fantastic with their traditional open fire period aesthetic. ...
- Outset Living Flame Gas Fires. Outset fires are those that sit on the hearth rather than being set into the chimney. ...
- Outset Radiant Gas Fires. ...
- Glass Fronted High Efficiency Gas Fires. ...
- Balanced Flue High Efficiency Gas Fires. ...
- Flueless Gas Fires. ...
Is it cheaper to run gas fireplace or central heat?
Which is cheaper to run a gas fireplace or gas central heating? Gas is often much cheaper than other heating sources – up to 70% compared to electric fireplaces. This is because gas has its own source, while electricity is heated via another source. Given its high energy efficiency and speed of heating a large room, this makes a gas fireplace extremely cost effective.
How to get more heat out of your fireplace?
There are additional tools and strategies to get the maximum heat out of your gas fireplace such as:
- Setting thermostat to the maximum value
- Ensuring flue damper and fireplace are well sealed to prevent warm air from escaping
- Using a blower to spread warm air evenly throughout the room
- Converting gas fireplace to a gas insert to eliminate draft and increase efficiency
What is the price of a gas fireplace?
Gas Fireplace. $2,300 – $4,000. Masonry Fireplace. $3,500 – $5,600. On average, a new metal ...
How efficient is an electric fireplace?
Electric Fireplace Efficiency. Electric fireplaces convert electricity directly into heat, giving electric fireplaces a 99% efficiency rate. And since these fireplaces don’t use chimneys or vents, all the heat stays in the home, instead of being lost outside through the venting. Electric fireplaces also heat a room quickly, ...
How much heat does an electric fireplace provide?
Electric fireplaces can effectively heat about 400-square feet. And when the ideal temperature has been reached in a room, the heater will turn off while leaving the flames on.
What is the least expensive fireplace?
Electric fireplaces are typically the least expensive and least complex fireplace option in terms of installation, fuel, and maintenance costs. They just need an electrical outlet to plug into.
Why do you need an electric fireplace?
Due to the control over temperatures, electric fireplaces are ideal for zone heating—heating a room or area in a home, allowing you to turn down your heat elsewhere in the home. This means saving more on your total home heating costs instead of wasting energy to heat rooms you’re not using.
What type of fireplace requires a chimney and a hearth?
Wood-burning fireplaces are the most complex fireplaces to install since they require a hearth and chimney. And gas fireplaces require a gas line hook-up and a vent installation.
Is a gas fireplace more efficient than a gas furnace?
Truth: Gas furnaces are a more efficient home heating source than electric baseboard heating. But gas furnaces are also more efficient than gas fireplaces. Gas fireplaces lose heat through their vents or chimneys, making these a less efficient fireplace option.
Can you put an electric fireplace in an existing fireplace?
And if you have an existing fireplace, you can install an electric fireplace insert in the opening. Wood-burning fireplaces are the most complex fireplaces to install since they require a hearth and chimney.
How much does it cost to run an electric fireplace?
This means that a 1.5 kilowatt electric fireplace generating about 5,000 Btu will cost 19.5 cents per hour to operate. By comparison, a 25,000 Btu gas fireplace will cost 30.5 cents per hour to run on natural gas. With propane, the operational cost will be between two and three times that amount.
How much does electricity cost?
Check your current bill for the exact numbers for your area, but the national average cost of electricity is about 13 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), while the national average cost of natural gas is $1.22 per therm (or 100,000 Btu).
Do you need a propane line for a gas fireplace?
Gas fireplaces generally cost more to purchase and to install than their electric counterparts. If you don’t have a natural gas line, you’ll need to add one (which may not be an option where you live) or hook up a propane supply. Electric fireplaces require standard electrical outlets, but you may need to run a new line or, for larger units, a dedicated circuit. Whether it takes a 110- or 220-volt outlet depends on the fireplace.
Can you install an electric fireplace in a wall?
DIY electric fireplace installation depends on the size and style. A permanent in-wall unit will likely require framing and drywall work, but installation for a standalone electric fireplace couldn’t be any easier. Just plug it in and you’re done!
Can a gas fireplace be vented?
Gas fireplaces also have more requirements on their placement inside the home. Vented gas fireplaces must allow for outside exhaust, usually against an exterior wall or inserted into an existing masonry fireplace. Ventless gas fireplaces aren’t legal in all states, so check your local codes before purchasing. Electric fireplaces don’t need to be vented because they don’t produce carbon monoxide.
Which is more realistic, a gas fireplace or an electric fireplace?
Of the two, gas fireplaces have the more realistic look because the gas produces a flame you can see and heat you can feel. An electric fireplace does not produce flames in the same way but still produces heat. Instead of flames, they project an image of a burning log. Depending on the model you purchase and its quality, ...
How much energy does a gas fireplace use?
When it comes to energy-efficiency, you may find a wide range depending on size and model. Gas fireplaces use between 7,000 and 16,000 BTUs, are between 70 and 90% efficient at converting energy to heat, and cost around $60 a year to run. Electric fireplaces have an output that is based on the electric current.
How much does an electric fireplace cost?
The cost of a built-in unitranges from $300 to$1,000. If you need a new outlet, there is an additional cost of around $200 to $750depending on location, and if you are opening a wall for a recessed unit, you should expect to pay another $200to $500in installation fees. This makes the total for an electric fireplace between $700and $2,250.
What is a firebox?
See full cheat sheet. 1 Firebox: The chamber in a fireplace that contains the fire. It is usually lined with firebrick so it can withstand the extreme heat that it is exposed to.
How much does it cost to hook up a gas fireplace?
For a new line, the cost will range between $300 and $800. This makes the total cost for a gas fireplace between $2,750 and $7,300. Electric fireplaces do not need vents or special plumbing. You simply need an outlet where you want it to go.
How much does it cost to install an electric fireplace?
This makes the total for an electric fireplace between $700 and $2,250.
Is it easier to install a gas fireplace or electric?
Installation. Both gas and electric fireplaces are much easier to install than a wood-burning fireplace. A gas fireplace requires that the gas line be run to the area, and a small vent is needed for most models. Non-venting units are available if you are unable to run a vent. The unit is then set in place and hooked up.
How efficient is a glass front gas fire?
Glass fronted high efficiency gas fires are available now which can be up to 90% efficient! This is a great improvement on open front gas fires, which usually only reach around 74% in efficiency.
What happens if a fire is 100% efficient?
If a fire is 100% efficient, all of the energy you use translates into heat for your room.
How much heat does an electric fire produce?
While they do heat up a small to medium sized room nicely, electric fires usually have maximum heat output of 2kW. Gas fires, meanwhile, can offer twice as much heat. Some gas fires offer a heat output of over 4kW, so can be preferable for larger or poorly insulated rooms. Electric fires also offer a different ‘type’ of heat.
Why are people put off gas fires?
Many people are put off both gas and electric fires because they are under the misconception that they don’t look as good as an open fireplace.
What is the most important factor in choosing a fire?
Efficiency . For many people, one of the most important factors in choosing a fire is how efficient it is. Just to recap, efficiency is the amount of energy used that actually goes into heating your room. If a fire is 80% efficient, for example, that means that 20% of the energy you have used is being lost.
Do gas fires require a chimney?
As they don’t burn solid fuel, they don’t require a chimney or any other ventilation. This means that no heat is lost through a flue, so you get to enjoy 100% of the heat produced! However, that’s not to say that gas fires are bad when it comes to efficiency.
Is gas fire good?
As long as it is affordable for you, both electric and gas fires are equally good options.
How efficient is a gas fireplace?
Gas fireplaces can reach levels of efficiency up to 90%, depending on the make and model. Up to 10% of the heat generated by a gas fireplace escapes through the chimney or flue. Electric fireplaces, however, are 100% efficient — every degree of heat is released into your home.
How much heat does a gas fireplace emit?
The heat output of electric fireplaces is usually limited to two kilowatts (kW). A gas fireplace, on the other hand, usually emits at least four to five kW. If it is designed to heat a larger room the heat output may be even larger.
Is it better to have an electric fireplace or gas fireplace?
An electric fireplace is safe, easy to install and maintain, and highly energy efficient. However, a gas fireplace has real flames, is more cost-effective in the long term, and produces more heat overall. A gas fireplace is best if you already have a gas line installed, or are prepared to commit to installation and maintenance in the long term.
Is it cheaper to install a gas fireplace or electric fireplace?
An electric fireplace is cheaper to purchase and install than a gas fireplace. However, using electricity as a source of heat is much more expensive than using gas.
Is an electric fireplace cheaper than a gas fireplace?
Electric fireplaces have a cost advantage over gas fireplaces at the point of initial purchase. You can usually find an electric fireplace unit for less than the cost of a gas fireplace unit, and there is no installation to consider. However, if you plan to use the fireplace to heat your home, there are additional costs to consider.
Do you need a chimney for a gas fireplace?
Recent technological advances have eliminated the need for a chimney. ‘Flueless’ gas fireplaces are available, as well as ‘balanced flue’ fires, which can be vented through an external wall (rather than a chimney that extends to the roof.)
Can a gas fireplace be vented through a chimney?
Requires little maintenance – Besides a yearly checkup a gas fireplace is very low maintenance. Can be vented through an existing chimney – While this may be considered a pro a proper liner will possibly be needed for proper exhausting of all gasses.
Why are electric fireplaces considered to be 100% efficient?
Electric fireplaces can be considered to be 100% efficient because almost all of the energy consumed is converted to heat.
What is an electric fireplace?
Unlike other fireplaces, electric fireplaces are the only type that run solely off an electrical supply. This means that electricity is the source of energy for both the flame effects and the heater.
How much electricity does an electric fireplace use?
So how much energy do electric fireplaces use? The energy usage of an electric fireplace will scale linearly with the wattage of the unit. A 1500W electric fireplace that uses a conventional fan space heater will use 1.5kW of electricity every hour, which equates to 1.5kWh. Therefore a higher wattage electric fireplace will use more electricity ...
Why do electric fireplaces have thermostats?
A thermostatic on an electric fireplace helps to regulate the desired temperature of a room. Once the required temperature is set on the thermostat a fireplace will bring the room up to ...
How long do LED lights last in an electric fireplace?
This allows electric fireplaces to use much less energy to generate the flames , and the LEDs can last many tens of thousands of hours.
What is considered 100% efficient?
Electric fireplaces are considered to be100% efficient meaning that all of the energy consumed is used without wastage.
How much heat does an open fireplace lose?
In comparison, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) explains that for the energy efficiency of open wood burning fireplaces: Most traditional open fireplaces lose over 90 percent of the fire’s heat out of the chimney , and much of the heated air in the room goes with it. EPA.
Which is better, gas or electric?
Between gas and electricity, gas tends to be the more efficient to operate, while electric units are more affordable upfront. If you plan on using your heater a lot during the winter, gas will always outperform electricity.
What Type of Furnace is the Most Efficient?
When you’re comparing the efficiency of a gas fireplace to a furnace, it’s important to understand that there are four main types of fuel for furnaces: gas, oil, electricity, and propane. While that may sound like there are a lot of options to choose from, only two of these fuel types are competitive in terms of cost efficiency: electricity and gas. Propane and oil are typically used when your home doesn’t have access to natural gas, or you need a furnace that will function during an outage.
How many BTUs does a gas fireplace use?
The typical gas fireplace may produce around 30,000 BTUs and a furnace could create more than double that amount. Though, you may only require 30,000 BTUs to heat the space your fireplace is in. While you might assume that the lower the consumption rating, the more efficient the appliance. However, there is more to consider.
Why is my gas fireplace rating lower than my furnace?
The standard AFUE score for gas fireplaces sits around 70%. The main reason they have a lower rating than furnaces is that the fireplace must produce a larger flame. This means that the unit releases more energy as light instead of heat within the fuel during combustion.
How much AFUE does a furnace have?
Fortunately, furnaces have a lot going for them in terms of AFUE – depending on the specific model. Most standard units will yield about 80% AFUE, meaning 80% of the fuel used is translated directly into usable heat. Though, there are a number of high-efficiency models that are considerably more superior, with some reaching 98.2% AFUE.
How long does a furnace last?
Operating a fireplace is as simple as burning fuel to generate heat. On the other hand, a properly maintained furnace can last you many years, especially with routine professional tune-ups.
How is heating power measured?
Heating power is measured in terms of British Thermal Units, or BTUs. One unit equals the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of a pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. As a homeowner, BTU ratings are an excellent resource for finding out how powerful your furnace or fireplace is.
