Chilly autumn nights have arrived. Now is a good time to consider having a new fireplace installed in your Indianapolis home, but should you go with a gas- or wood-burning one? Each type offers advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a closer look at some of the pros and cons of a gas vs wood burning fireplace.
Convenience
Gas is a clear winner in this category. All you have to do to start a fire in your gas fireplace is flip a switch, then shut it off when you’re done. With a wood-burning fireplace, you have to keep firewood handy, place it carefully in the fireplace, get the fire started, and tend to it while it’s lit. That’s not even considering cutting wood, preparing kindling, and storing the firewood.
Cost
Wood-burning fireplaces come out ahead when it comes to cost. While you do have to pay to have your fireplace and chimney inspected and cleaned, this is a small expense compared to paying a natural gas bill each month, especially in winter. Firewood is inexpensive or even free if you live close to the woods.
Care
In the gas vs wood burning fireplace debate, the maintenance factor puts gas ahead. Gas fireplaces don’t require a thorough cleaning or sweeping after each use, as wood-burning fireplaces do. A professional inspection is typically all of the care that a gas fireplace needs. In contrast, wood-burning fireplaces and chimneys have to be kept clean to reduce the risk of chimney fires.
Charm
A fireplace provides homes with a certain charm, but a gas fireplace doesn’t quite have the same aesthetic effect as a wood-burning fireplace. You don’t get the scent of burning logs or the sounds of a crackling fire with a gas fireplace.
The Bottom Line
When deciding between a gas vs wood burning fireplace for your Indianapolis home, think about how often you’ll use it, how much you want to take care of it, what your budget is, and what kind of effect you want.
For professional advice on choosing the right fireplace, please contact us at Mowery Heating and Cooling. We’ve been installing fireplaces in Indianapolis area homes for more than 40 years.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Brownsburg, Indiana and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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