Nothing feels better and relaxing than getting cozy and warm in front of a fireplace. But which one is it? Should you choose wood, gas, or electric?
The Real Score of Wood Fireplace
You can opt for gas or an electric fireplace, but if you want to stick to what’s traditional, then the wood version is the best choice. Nothing beats the real thing, after all.
One of the advantages of it over electric is you do not have to pay any utility bill. You can light it even when there’s a power outage. You don’t need to worry about spending the rest of the night freezing.
There’s no need for installation either, which is its plus over the gas fireplace. Even better, you have a lot of choices of slow-burning and fragrant types of wood. These include pine, sycamore, white ash, red oak, and yellow birch. Not only does your home look cozy, but it smells terrific too!
Wood fireplace, though, can be expensive due to the maintenance of the chimney. In Utah, it can cost as much as $107 for the most luxurious fireplaces. On average, spending can reach $91. The more you use the fireplace, the more frequent you should have it cleaned. It also needs to undergo once-a-year maintenance and safety inspection.
The Practical Gas Fireplace
If you want to avoid the high costs of maintaining a fireplace, then you can consider the gas type, which can run on propane. A gas fireplace company in Utah can easily convert your traditional type into one quickly. If you don’t have a fireplace yet, then you’ll find this option fast to install.
This kind also saves you from the hassle of finding and transporting wood. You also have full control over the heat, temperature, and the intensity of the fire by using the knobs. It is also safer with its shutoff valves and comes with air-free vents, so you can skip cleaning chimneys.
Most of all, you don’t lose the two essential benefits of a wood fireplace. One, gas fireplace still produces real fire. Second, you can generate heat even without electricity.
The Modern Electric Fireplace
What if you want a fireplace but don’t have a lot of space? The electric fireplace is the right solution for you. This one is portable enough; some homes already use them as heaters. It also means that you don’t need to spend on any installation or dedicate a wall. It is also safer, which is beneficial for households with small children.
The electric fireplace doesn’t produce real fire, which may be a disadvantage for some. Instead, it generates a mist-like effect. Imagine watching a television: that’s how it may feel. Some of the best units feature holograms and LED light to make the fire as realistic as possible.
Heating a room with an electric fireplace is efficient, but it can also be costly in the long run. Utah doesn’t have a high utility bill, which is good, but it may still be worth at least $79 on average. During the winter, the rates can go up due to higher consumption for heating.
You can never go wrong with any of the choices. It all boils down to what you need, the size of your home, the maintenance you like, and preferred spending on utilities.
