6Sep
With Colder Weather upon Us, It’s Time to Start Heating Your Home with a Gas Fireplace
As the days and nights get colder, it’s time to put on warmer clothes and think about turning on the heat. Of course, switching on the heat also means higher energy bills… doesn’t it?
What if we told you there was a way to cut back on HVAC use, save on energy costs, and improve the look, feel, and comfort of your home?
It’s not as far-fetched as it sounds! A gas fireplace, when used and installed properly, can help you relax in comfort without worrying about burning a hole in your pocket.
So if you want to buy a fireplace in Ottawa, consider the following answers to common questions homeowners have about using gas fireplaces as a supplemental heating source in homes.
Are Gas Fireplaces a Good Heat Source?
Gas fireplaces are an excellent heating source when used to complement your home’s main HVAC system.
But shouldn’t a gas fireplace heat your entire home?
As it turns out, most people spend most of their time at home in 20% of their home’s space. So, for example, if your home had 10 rooms, the vast majority of your time at home would be spent in 2 of them.
Obviously, when the temperature drops, you need to keep your home warm. But you don’t need your HVAC system running all the time.
That’s where a gas fireplace comes in handy. When installed in your living room or den, you can enjoy ambient heat as you need it when your furnace is scheduled to take a break.
Is Running a Gas Fireplace Expensive?
As touched on in the last point, by using your fireplace strategically, you can actually reduce your monthly heating bill. Relying less on your central furnace means you save on electricity costs.
This is especially true if you have electric baseboard heaters at home.
Baseboard heat is ridiculously inefficient! Though their initial cost is a low price point, they’re actually one of the most expensive heating options around. Because these heaters are placed on exterior walls, they’re always backed up against a colder temperature.
How Efficient Are Gas Fireplaces?
Gas fireplaces are tested and rated for energy efficiency, just like furnaces and other home appliances. When choosing a gas fireplace, look for this energy or fuel efficiency rating. And also consider a direct-vent installation.
Direct-vent gas fireplaces keep up to 70% of the heat generated in the home, instead of losing most heat out the chimney like wood-burning fireplaces.
Besides saving heat and improving energy efficiency, direct-vent gas fireplaces cost a fraction of the price for installation compared to masonry fireplaces.
Benefits of Gas Fireplaces
Here are some of the many benefits of owning a gas fireplace in Ottawa:
Atmosphere
The atmosphere created by a burning fireplace is like no other. Gas fireplaces add relaxing ambiance to any room. And with so many styles and designs to choose from, you can find one to suit your home décor and really create the atmosphere you’re after.
Besides the many traditional and modern designs, gas fireplaces are also fairly versatile for installation locations. So you can install a gas fireplace almost anywhere in your home—think living room, family room, bedroom, office, and bathroom.
Clean-Burning
Unlike wood-burning fireplaces, gas fireplaces burn clean. There are few particles and fumes emitted when burning natural gas in a gas fireplace. The few emissions make gas fireplaces an environmentally-friendly fireplace option.
Comfort
The heat output of gas fireplaces is adjustable, so you can stay comfortable inside at all times, whether the room is packed with guests or you’re alone with a book and a furry friend. You can adjust the flame height with a remote control or set a thermostat to find that perfect temperature to stay cozy all fall and winter.
Convenience
The thermostat, remote control, and on/off switch options take away the stress of having to build a fire. Instead, you can sit back, relax, and turn on your fireplace with the push of a button. You won’t need to spend time tending to the fire, and you won’t have to lift a finger to chop wood, clean the chimney, or clean soot from the fireplace after every use.
You just need to check in on the valves from time to time to make sure they’re clean, and have an annual fireplace inspection to ensure your fireplace is good condition.
Using A Heat Exchanger with Your Fireplace
Quality heat exchangers help support the heating system of gas fireplaces. These heat exchangers make the most of the convection heating, allowing for more heat output. And if you want to help circulate the heat throughout your home, consider using a ceiling fan on low as well.
Why You Should Consider A Gas Fireplace Even If You Have A Furnace
Furnaces are large enough to heat your entire home in extremely cold conditions. But when it isn’t extremely cold out, furnaces still use plenty of energy to run because they are so large.
And while furnaces provide convection heating—heated forced air that rises—gas fireplaces provide both convection and radiant heating—the heat radiates from the fireplace, providing a more even heat throughout the room.
Consistent Heating
The fireplace will continue heating your room for as long as you wish. You don’t have to worry about the fire burning out and the temperature dropping. The instant flames also start producing heat immediately, so you can warm up a room quickly when you need to.
Zone Heating
Zone heating is an energy-efficient home heating solution. If you and your family are all in the living room with a gas fireplace, you can turn down your home’s central heating thermostat and rely on the fireplace to heat the room. This will help you save on energy costs throughout the colder months.
Consider these many benefits of using a gas fireplace to supplement your home’s HVAC system for the long, cold season. With a natural gas fireplace, you can cozy up to the toasty fire all fall and winter long, and relax knowing you’re not wasting heat throughout the rest of your home and racking up those dreaded heating bills.