The amount of BTUs that a gas or wood fireplace can generate varies widely, depending on the size and model of the fireplace. Generally speaking, gas fireplaces can produce between 8,000 and 60,000 BTU, and wood fireplaces range from 20,000 to 40,000 BTU. Therefore, any type of chimney can work in most cases. A difficult part of answering the question is how variable and unpredictable the heat from a wood burning fireplace is.
The heat depends on the amount of wood being placed, as well as the type of wood. You can more easily predict what a gas fireplace will produce, since the flames are only ignited by pressing a switch or turning a handle. Gas fireplaces are much more energy efficient than wood fireplaces. Even though a wood burning fireplace has a very romantic and cozy atmosphere, you may want to analyze the total costs and decide which, a gas fireplace or a wood fireplace, is the best option for your home.
If you want to install an energy efficient gas fireplace or replace your current wood fireplace, contact the fireplace experts at Draft Control today. Gas fireplaces are (arguably) much more convenient than their traditional wooden counterparts. The main reason for their superior ease of use and functionality is that gas fireplaces don't require wood to burn. This helps save money and energy if you buy the wood in a store instead of cutting it yourself.
We can custom design a fireplace to fit your needs, so when you need a fireplace in Stamford, CT, call the specialists at Celco Heating and Air Conditioning. Gas fireplaces are an efficient type of chimney that are generally good at providing heat to the room in which they are located, and can be much more efficient and produce more heat compared to the existing masonry fireplace they replace. Central heating systems use it to heat homes, and many kitchen stoves use it for cooking and baking. According to the Greenify Project, wood fireplaces emit 28 pounds of particulate emissions for every MM of BTU of heat production (soot and ash).
In addition, if you use central heating while you're burning in a fireplace, expect the heater to work harder to maintain the temperature in the house. But if you're primarily looking for a way to heat your home, heat production is probably your top priority. A gas fireplace only produces heat when it's lit and the flames burn, which means that a gas fireplace can't produce heat for your home when it's turned off. There are types of wood fireplaces that can help heat your home, such as high-efficiency fireplace inserts.
Wood stoves are standard for heating a living room and minimize many of the drawbacks of a traditional wood fireplace. The cost of electricity in New York exceeds any maintenance cost for any heating source, be it oil, gas, or wood. Although you will still need to consume wood to operate these wood fireplaces, they are quite flexible in terms of their material requirements due to a gas discharge that quickly converts the unit into a gas-fueled design. For a house that already has natural gas, this fireplace can be a cheaper option than the new masonry work for a wood fireplace.
