Electric and gas fireplaces are great alternatives if you don’t have a chimney or want a fireplace that doesn’t burn wood. But people still don’t know what is better: gas vs electric fireplace.
Why is that? Since both fireplaces share many features and aspects with one another.
This WarmthPedia article will help you decide which type of fireplace you want to install; as we’ll give you a deep and detailed comparison of gas vs electric fireplace so you can make up your mind and choose the one that suits your needs.
What is Gas Fireplace?
A gas fireplace is a fireplace that uses a specific gas type to provide heat inside a closed area.
Practically, a gas fireplace doesn’t produce smoke, and it vents the used gas through a tube in the wall rather than a chimney.
Moreover, it uses an electric charge to light up the gas and produce the heat, and according to a handful of experts, gas fireplaces can produce more heat than a normal electric fireplace.
What is Electric Fireplace?
As the gas fireplace uses gas to heat an indoor area, the electric fireplace uses electricity to heat up a specific area.
Electric fireplaces use the power of electricity to produce heat up to 7000 BTUs, as they cover small to medium-sized areas.
Electric fireplaces can also work in outdoor areas, but they don’t produce as much heat as gas fireplaces, making the latter a better option for owners of yards and outdoor areas.
However, when it comes to prices, installation costs, and monthly energy bills, there’s a huge difference between gas and electric fireplaces.
Read further to learn more about the benefits of both gas and electric fireplaces.
Benefits of Gas Fireplace
WarmthPedia has collected the following as the most common benefits of gas fireplaces:
- It generates real flames
- It can heat large spaces
- It can increase the value of a home release
- It can be added to most rooms
- Clean-burning
- Ease to install
- Overall Safety
- Energy Use
- Heat Production
- Visual Aesthetics
Benefits of Electric Fireplace
WarmthPedia has collected the following as the most common benefits of electric fireplaces:
- Most affordable to install
- Little maintenance required
- Great for occasional winter heat
- Little concern about fire hazard
- Safest around children and pets
- It doesn’t require a chimney to install
- It can be added to any room
- Some units are portable
- Little to no energy waste
Gas VS Electric Fireplace: Deep Comparison
The main differences between a gas vs electric fireplace are explained below to help you choose the best one that suits your needs.
Flames
Gas fireplaces work by producing a flame that resembles that of a traditional wood-burning fireplace. Contemporary fireplaces may provide a lot of warmth for homeowners in colder temperatures.
Some electric fireplace models might produce as much as their gas counterparts despite the absence of flame. Because they feature adjustable flames, and temperatures, electric fireplaces are a great choice for people living in warmer areas but still like the warmth and beauty that a fireplace provides.
Maintainance
As compared to wood fireplaces, gas fireplaces require less Maintainance. The vent should be checked for leaks and cleaned as necessary once a year.
Because they require less Maintainance, gas fireplaces are a great choice for people who like the warmth of a wood-burning fireplace without the Maintainance.
Electric fireplaces require very little Maintainance because they don’t burn gas or need vents. For those who want to own a fireplace but don’t want regularly maintain it, this makes it a practical choice.
Cost
Despite being less expensive to buy and install, gas fireplaces increase the release value of your home more than electric fireplaces. Due to their low operating costs and high heat output, they can greatly lower heating costs.
They cost more to install and maintain annually, costing about 350$.
Electric fireplaces are less expensive than their gas-burning counterparts in terms of price and installation. Despite heating a room as quickly as gas fireplaces, most electric fireplaces are less expensive to operate than other types of fireplaces. The annual operating cost is about 100$.
Appearance
While neither a gas fireplace nor an electric fireplace can be mistaken for a traditional wood-burning model, both are available in a variety of beautiful designs that look great in many different areas.
Gas fireplaces offer the most realistic look since gas produces a real flame and heat that you can feel.
Although an electric fireplace still generates heat, there’re no flames. Instead of flames, they appear to be burning logs. Depending on the model you choose and its quality, this image may appear realistic or artificial.
Holographic images, LED lights, and even videos of wood burning are features that some models have. You have installation options, such as wall mounting, which can enhance the realism of the fireplace. Additionally, they might have sound effects that can simulate a fire cracking.
Some models come equipped with things like holographic images, LED lights, and even videos of wood burning. You have installation options like wall mounting, which can help make the fireplace look more realistic. They could also feature sound effects that can make the unit sound like a crackling fire.
Energy-Efficiency
Gas heating is often quite efficient. For furnaces, these are usually the best option to think about. As we move to more energy-efficient homes and appliances, fireplaces become less of a need and more of a luxury. Electric fireplaces operate without a heater.
Many building guidelines make it difficult to install ventilation for fireplaces. About 30% of the heat loss may be caused by the vents, which electric fireplaces don’t need to start with.
Due to the different ventilation of an electric fireplace compared to a gas fireplace, you won’t be paying to lose up to 30$ of the heat to the vents.
Safety
Gas fireplaces heat up the place very quickly. Even so, the unit’s glass doors can become hot enough to burn and hurt you. A gas leak could happen if the unit is not properly maintained, which, like with any gas unit, could cause a fire risk and result in serious health problems.
The majority of units in this situation have a gas shutoff valve.
Electric heaters pose fewer safety risks, but if they’re broken, they could still start fires. The majority of contemporary appliances include automatic shut-off features that activate if the appliance overheats, helping in the prevention of fires.
Needed Time to Heat
Electric and gas fireplaces produce heat right away.
A gas fireplace’s heat may be noticed in the room more quickly than the electric one, depending on how far away you are.
Environmental Concerns
Gas fireplaces are efficient because they can convert up to 90% of their energy into heat. On the other hand, burning gas results in air pollution because it’s a non-renewable resource.
Gas produces some CO2 that is emitted into the atmosphere, even if it doesn’t produce dangerously high levels of carbon dioxide inside the house. Gas is considered a clean-burning.
Electric fireplaces use less energy and don’t immediately emit airborne particles, but the process of generating the electricity required to run the appliance could also generate CO2 gas. The type and combination of energy used will determine this.
Electricity may be a non-renewable resource, depending on where you live and the type of power source you utilize.
Resale Value
A built-in fireplace can increase a home’s release value if it doesn’t already have one.
Adding a built-in gas or electric fireplace could help raise the value of your home because this’s true regardless of the type of fireplace you already have.
Watch this gas vs electric fireplace deep comparison in this YouTube video below.
Summary
It always comes down to your personal preferences. In this WarmthPedia article, you can find an in-depth comparison of gas vs electric fireplace, and their main features, so you can make your final decision based on which fireplace best suits you.
Still need help choosing between a gas vs electric fireplace? Tell WarmthPedia in the comments box below your needs, and we’ll help you make up your mind and choose the one that’s suitable for you.