As the weather becomes chilly, a gas fireplace can warm both us and our homes. Nothing compares beats curling up in front of a warm fire.
Have you ever wanted to add a gas fireplace to your home but wondered, “Are gas fireplaces safe?” If so, WarmthPedia has the answer.
WarmthPedia will go over the advantages of using a gas fireplace, as well as safety precautions for your family, home, pets, and places of business.
Are Gas Fireplaces Safe?
The short answer from WarmthPedia is YES!
You know how beautiful a gas fireplace may look if you have one in your house. Whether or not they are burning, they add a cozy, homey atmosphere to any place.
Since there are no matches, smoke, sparks, soot, or backdrafts, gas fireplaces are far safer than their wood-burning counterparts. But owners should still take basic safety measures.
Using a gas fireplace improperly could damage your house or harm you, but using the necessary safety measures can avoid any hazards. Finally, gas fireplaces are just as safe as any other hearth when used appropriately.
While improperly using a gas fireplace might cause damage to your home, taking the right precautions can avoid any potential risks. Ultimately, properly used gas fireplaces are just as safe as any other hearth.
Benefits of Gas Fireplaces
Natural gas is a common heating fuel since it’s affordable and efficient. The following are some advantages of using your home’s natural gas fireplace:
1. It’s much safer than using logs and a real fireplace.
2. Your house is not exposed to any fumes.
3. There aren’t any sparks that could endanger you or your house.
4. If you have small children or pets, natural gas fireplace is safer than an open fire because the gas covering keeps them contained.
5. It’s easy to use natural gas fireplaces and there’s no need to bring in outdoor wood. Turn it on to enjoy a cozy house.
6. Using a gas fireplace can actually lower your heating expenses.
7. Installing a natural gas fireplace is easy and simple if your home already has natural gas installed.
Safety Tips to Use Gas Fireplaces
To reduce the risks that even the safest brand-new fireplace poses, consider the following WarmthPedia tips:
1. Schedule Yearly Maintainance
Compared to other masonry wood-burning counterparts, modern gas fireplaces require much less Maintainance, but it’s still a good idea to do an annual Maintainance inspection to ensure that everything is working properly.
The ideal time for a quick checkup is before lighting the first fire of the winter.
2. Pay Attention to Clearance Zones
Use Ortal’s Coll Wall technology to place devices and décor close to the fireplace. Nevertheless, regardless of how efficient it is, every fireplace has a cleaning zone- an area around which it’s harmful to keep flammable or easily damages materials.
Never put anything, including books, newspapers, wood, and draperies, close to the firebox or directly on the glass.
3. Double Check the Safety Screen Barrier
A durable glass panel is often used to divide your house from the firebox of a gas fireplace. Although this panel makes your fireplace safer and more effective, the glass can get very hot.
Since 2015, the majority of direct vent fireplaces have been installed with safety mesh screens to help lower the risk of harming someone. For your safety, WarmthPedia advises that you make sure your safety screen is securely attached to your device.
4. Test Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
WarmthPedia recommends that every homeowner put smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on every floor of their house. Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are two crucial safety devices that can cause a disaster.
Even when it seems like your fireplace is working well, things could still go wrong. To be safe, you should always check that your detectors are functional.
5. Upgrade to a Double Glass Heat Barrier
Wane even greater effectiveness and safety? Think about incorporating a double glass heat barrier, which has two glass panes instead of just one: An interior and an outer panel. There’s a ventilation layer between the two panes.
The inclusion of silent, tiny fans at the bottom of the layer allows the outer glass to be maintained at a safe temperature while the room is heated more. You’re now protected from a hot flame by yet another barrier.
6. Warn children
When a gas fireplace is turned on, the glass and surrounding metal are heated to extremely high temperatures, and they may stay that way for more than an hour after the fireplace is shut off. Always keep an eye on kids and pets, and teach them to stay away.
Installing a safety gate is a good idea, or at least, creating a one-to-two-foot “no-play zone” in front of the fireplace. We also recommend keeping the controls for your gas fireplace hidden and out of sight.
Here’s a video providing some safety measures when using gas fireplaces.
Summary
We already answered your question, “Are gas fireplaces safe?”
Compared to fireplaces that burn wood, gas fireplaces are safer. But when it’s on fire, just like with any fire, you need to use common sense.
Still have any more inquiries regarding gas fireplaces? Leave them in the WarmthPedia comments box below, and we’ll answer you as soon as possible.