Gas Log Fireplaces 101
The cozy warmth of a fireplace on a cold winter night is the perfectly picturesque scene some of us dream about. Nothing captures a Hallmark card moment like a cheery, crackling fire.
Then again, ordinary wood fireplaces require constant upkeep to light the logs and keep them lit. They also require attention to the chimney to prevent creosote buildup, which can cause the kind of fire you don’t want. They’re dirty and sooty, and the ash requires removal every few fires.
This explains the popularity of gas fireplaces. They produce real flames and the heat of a wood fire without extensive maintenance. They turn on and off with the push of a button, and the flame’s intensity and heat output can be controlled with adjustable settings. They also produce fewer emissions. There is no ash or soot, simplifying maintenance to an annual checkup.
If you have a gas fireplace or plan to install one, you have some decisions to make. Will your fireplace be vented or not? Will you use natural gas or propane? How much will all this cost?
Vented vs. Ventless
Vented fireplaces have chimneys that convey smoke from the house and into the atmosphere. The logs replicate the look and ambiance of wood logs. However, some heat and smoke rise up the chimney, reducing the unit’s efficiency.
Ventless fireplaces produce heat that radiates within the firebox rather than rising up the chimney. To withstand the heat, ventless logs are composed of materials that lack a realistic wood appearance. This makes them better at heating a room but lacks that authentic fire aesthetic. Consequently, ventless fireplaces tend to be sold primarily as heaters, while vented fireplaces serve as living room accessories around which the family cuddles.
Gas or Propane?
Gas fireplaces use two types of fuel: natural gas and propane. Natural gas burns efficiently and produces low emissions. Dominion Energy delivers natural gas via pipeline to most homes. If a pipeline already exists, it is simple and inexpensive to connect to it and begin service. However, a line must be run from the street to your residence, which adds a cost.
Propane is more portable and is usually stored in a tank outside the building, which the supplier periodically refills. The tank does nothing for curb appeal, but propane produces heat more efficiently than natural gas.
What About the Cost?
There are many variables in the cost of a gas fireplace, starting with extending a natural gas line to the house or entering into a contract to rent a propane tank and pay to have it filled. Gas fireplaces typically consume 20,000 to 40,000 BTUs per house. Considering the average price for natural gas in Aiken in July of 2024 was about 2.5 cents per 100,000 BTUs, the average cost of operating a gas fireplace is between 25 cents and 65 cents per hour of use. Running a fireplace for four hours a night for three months will cost about $60 in total. The cost is about the same using propane instead.
While the cost may vary, the price of turning your home into a cozy sanctuary this winter might just be worth every penny.
