Gas or Electric Fireplace?

By

cantmissamy

I have a small electric fireplace in my basement and love it, it is cool to the touch and it is safe for someone with children. It keeps my basement warm which is around 900 sq ft.

By Sarah (Guest Post)

Like everyone else you can't go wrong w/ gas and it helps when reselling your home. Just buy you a carbon monoxide detector. We purchased a humidifier for the whole house, because a gas fireplace can dry you out.

By Crystal (Guest Post)

I love my gas logs, when the power is out I still have heat just not the fan to push it through the house.

By Elizabeth (Guest Post)

I agree that a gas fireplace has many benefits; however, please do your research when purchasing. Even though there are many ventless gas logs available, be extremely cautious. If you read the fine print on the manual/instructions, it will tell you that you must operate the ventless logs with a window cracked and proper ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide build-up. In my opinion, the ventless logs are not a safe option. I would opt for the true gas logs that vent through a lined chimney. Ask around for a reputable chimney sweep/chimney repair, and spend some time talking with them about safety and their recommendations. Good luck to you!

By Margie Minard (Guest Post)

Central Ohio had a true blizzard in 1978 and if we hadn't had our gas fireplace, I don't know just what we would have done. Something hit one of our windows and broke it and it was days before we could have gotten any help. We had three very young children at the time, so we all moved into the only room with the heat and just waited it out. If you have severe weather, a gas fireplace just may save you and your family from, at the very least, great discomfort, and just maybe your lives.

By AuntyC (Guest Post)

Definitely GAS. We just went through a winter storm that took out the electric for 10 plus days. We had a total electric house. We put a gas fireplace in the basement this summer. Love the flames. The fireplace looks REAL and no work to it.

By

Barb in Tennessee

We have used gas, electric, and wood fireplaces.
My favorite is the Gas fireplace. Of course you must have a gas line to the house.Once the pilot light is lit, the fireplace is instant on, instant off. Most new one have a remote control. Even when the power is off during to bad storms in the winter, we were able to stay warm by using the gas fireplace. And even able to heat water for tea,instant soup and such.
Those with electric units are dependant upon the electric utilities actually working. With the wood, there is always a mess!Buy the wood, stack it near the house, after you cut it into manageable lengths. Bring in the wood, carry out the ashes. Have to lay the wood to light the fire. And you can't "click" it off at night. You need doors to keep sparks and such from jumping out in the room.

Hope this helps.

barb

By (Guest Post)

I agree. We built in 1977. HAD TO HAVE a fireplace. Always looked so GREAT on TV, etc.
Until it comes to loading, starting, watching, and cleaning IT OUT to start again. Unless you have a butler to do this.

Have not used it in probably 14 years. Would like to just TAKE IT OUT.
No log burning fireplace, consider gas.

By AndyW (Guest Post)

Gas. no chopping, no stacking, instant on, instant off (don't minimize this fact). You can add a timer to the on switch and run it for an hour and go to bed without worrying that the house till catch fire.