If you were disappointed with the heating efficiency of your old masonry fireplace last winter, you may be thinking of how to improve its performance. Unfortunately, traditional fireplaces do not provide a lot of heat to your home because a lot of the hot air exits out of the chimney. This can make your heating bills very expensive as you try to compensate for the loss of heat. Aelite Chimney Specialties has several options that can increase your home’s heating efficiency by updating your masonry fireplace, and two of the most popular of these options are gas logs and wood-burning fireplace inserts. While both of these heating appliances will lower your heating costs and provide more heat to your home, they each have their own pros and cons. We would like to tell you more about gas logs and wood-burning inserts to help you decide which one would work better in your home.
Gas Logs
If you are on a tight budget, gas logs can be your best option to increase the heating efficiency in your home. Not only are gas logs economical, they are also more convenient than wood-burning fireplace inserts. You will not have to worry about bringing in firewood or sweeping up ashes after every fire. All you have to do to start a fire is turn the gas logs on by flipping a switch or pressing a button on a remote control. Gas logs are available in two types – vented and vent-free. According to SF Gate, a set of vented gas logs requires a chimney, while a set of vent-free gas logs can be installed wherever you choose. You may have heard that vent-free gas logs can be unsafe, but Aelite Chimney Specialties will tell you exactly how to use this type of gas logs and enjoy safe fires. Although newer sets of gas logs look very realistic, one of the biggest drawbacks of this heating appliance is the absence of the sensory experiences of burning wood.
Wood-Burning Inserts
For those who prefer the scents, sounds, and sights of a wood fire, a wood-burning fireplace insert can be the best option to increase the heating efficiency of your home. Aelite Chimney Specialties can install one of these inserts into your existing masonry fireplace opening so that you can enjoy safe, clean, and warm wood fires. If you have access to cutting your own firewood, this option can be very budget friendly. Using the latest technology, this type of heating appliance burns wood very efficiently so that fewer amounts of smoke and other pollutants are produced with each fire. One of our favorite things about wood-burning fireplace inserts is the ability to provide heat even if the electricity and gas are out because of a winter storm.
To learn more about these heating appliances, contact us at Aelite Chimney Specialties. We can help you decide whether gas logs or a wood-burning insert would be the best choice for your home.