3 Hot Options…, Wood Burning, Gas or Electric Fireplace

Everyone loves a good Christmas story. Santa, snow, and socks; hung on a vintage shelf, that’s the definition of a warm and cozy Christmas. You kids are unwrapping the myriad of gifts and the friend’s whistling some carols, sipping mugs of hot chocolate with marshmallows, taking in the warmth from the….., what’s that?

Oh yeah, there’s no winter festivities without some warmth and heat. But what are the hottest options?! It seems like the time to bring in the cavalry and some professional opinions.

A residential architect could be a decent place to start your survey. After all, architects are the ones who know your house inside out. (That’s a secret you now know!)

Hot or Not?

If you think surviving winters without any heating arrangements are possible, IT’S NOT. And that’s a big not. The temperature keeps on fluctuating while teaching you a new lesson every day.

“Oh, how I wish I’d gotten the thermostat fixed” “Honey, we ran out of logs for the fireplace” these are a few sentences you may hear yourself speaking at the peak of those winter months.

The truth is that you need the heat!

Let’s take a look at 3 Hot Options…, Wood Burning, Gas or Electric Fireplace and find out which one suit’s your needs.

Wood Burning

Today, open fireplaces serve more of an aesthetical rather than a functional purpose. When it comes to it, the design of fireplaces is inefficient in terms of energy saving.

Even though a fireplace depicts warmth, convection from the fire results in the sucking of the indoor air. It leads to the air being out of the house through the chimney. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a new generation of wood-burning appliances that are cleaner and more efficient have come to life.

Wood burning fireplaces may emit high quantities of pollutants from the compounds such as nitrogen, carbon, and others that it contains. These pollutants could harm human health.

Wood burning is a significant factor in air pollution because of which several municipalities restrict the use of these appliances when the air quality reaches its limit. Before installing a wood-burning system in your homes, you must contact the local ordinance office to find out the codes and regulations that may be applicable in your area.

A residential architect could be useful at this stage because of prior knowledge and their efficient credentials.

Advantages

You could benefit the local economy by growing or purchasing the wood biomass locally.
The cost of the fuel is cheaper in comparison to coal, natural gas, and heating oil.
A beneficial quality of fuel from wood, logs, or lumbar waste is that it’s renewable. It’s also widely available and sustainable, thereby allowing you to add brownie points to the declining environment and eliminating some carbon footprint.
The pellet stoves are relatively environment-friendly and utilize pellets comprising of wooden biomass. They also claim to have the support of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
If engineered efficiently, wood-burning may emit fewer air pollutants in comparison to coal and gas.
The utilization of forest waste could positively impact its health. Eliminating deadfalls from the forests may reduce the risk of unprecedented forest fires.
Wood burning is dependable if the region you reside in suffers from constant power outages during the harsh winters. With a reliable wooden stove, you get to stay warm round the clock, irrespective of your home’s gas or electric supply.
With wood burning, you have the option of flexible placement when it comes to wooden stoves. If there’s a way to run the vent pipe outside the house, a wooden stove could find its place anywhere.
A well-placed wood stove could heat your house and eliminate the need for expensive central heating costs.
As an extended benefit, wood fuel from woodlands under management could create a demand for skilled labor and provide the landowners with an incentive to manage the wood.

Disadvantages

In comparison to conventional boiler systems, wooden ones require a much large boiler for fuel maintenance.
The automated fuel equipment of today requires close monitoring to avoid shutdowns.
The equipment required for the wooden systems is quite expensive. Another factor to consider is that wood is highly flammable and needs an advanced boiling system.

Gas

A gas heating arrangement is one of the most popular choices for winter globally. The gas heaters seem to perform better and are more dependable than the electric counterparts.

These gas heaters heat rooms quicker and keep them warm for a longer time. They also exhibit an economic benefit as they’re cheaper than electric systems.

Cost-effectiveness has catapulted gas heaters to the top of the heating game, and that’s why the results and market value is so convincing. Many families seem to invest in the product to enjoy the hassle-free winter seasons.

Advantages

The best advantage that comes along with natural gas heaters is the affordability. Homeowners always tend to keep finances their top priority. Nobody wants to overpay for their heating.
In comparison to other fossil fuels, natural gas is a better choice for the environment. Even though it’s not the cleanest source of energy, it doesn’t emit sulfur. That makes for a win-win situation.
Another benefit to look forward to is the reliability. Even if your area suffers frequent power outages, it won’t affect your gas heater. HVAC and water will immediately turn off once the power shuts down. However, you can rest assured that a natural gas heater will keep on running.
Efficiency is a parameter that associates with gas heaters. As a result of combustion, your house could warm up quicker and stay warmer than the performance an electric heater would provide.
Natural gas heaters come across as a decent long-term investment. If your home has an existing line, you won’t have to incur any extra installation charges.
As a long-term solution, natural gas heaters provide comfort, dependency, and one-time spending for a worthwhile performance in those cold and snowy winters.
In comparison to fireplaces, natural gas heaters are convenient to operate and don’t create any mess.
If you consult a residential architect, they may tell you that many prospective buyers question natural gas availability when looking for a new residence. So, in the long run, you’re increasing the value of your home.

Disadvantages

If your property doesn’t have a natural gas line connection, you may have to incur extra charges during the system installation.
Over-heating of the radiant coils may cause structural fatigue. If that’s the case, you’re looking at replacing the element entirely.
The burning of fossil fuels results in the emission of carbon monoxide, which raises safety concerns.

Electric Fireplace

An electric fireplace is an electric heater that works like a fireplace that burns natural gas, wood, or coal. The electric fireplace plugs into the walls of your home and runs on a set of flames only.

It also finds its use as a heater, usually consuming 1.4 to 1.6kW, which may virtually heat a room sizing 400 sq. ft. The electric fireplace gained momentum in the early 1950s. Techniques for electric flame effects have been in existence since the 1980s.

One of the most popular commercial techniques is the Optiflame, introduced by Dimplex. Over the years, the Irish company has come up with several patents and unique flame techniques.

Advantages

The best advantage of an electric fireplace is that it doesn’t release any fumes. When you turn on the electric fireplace, the light seems to create a realistic appearance of flames. Since gas isn’t part of the system, you don’t have to worry about smoke entering your home.
Since electric fireplaces don’t consume actual wood and hence don’t release smoke, the maintenance requirements are significantly lower.
Electric fireplaces are more reasonable to install than regular ones. The cost largely depends on the style that you select. You must factor in that you don’t have to consider the cost of installing a chimney or regular cleaning.
Electric fireplaces value energy efficiency. Since these use less electricity than the primary heating system in your home, you’re lowering the energy bills.
Electric fireplaces boast a long service life. Unlike heaters and fireplaces, these aren’t susceptible to corrosion or rust and hence last longer.
The easy installation of electric fireplaces makes it a favorite among homeowners. You don’t have to worry about demolishing a wall to accommodate the system. However, do note that installation depends on the style that you select.
Electric fireplaces come with a plethora of designs. It seems like there’s an electric fireplace built just according to the style of each individual. Whether you want a more traditional mantelpiece or something modern for your bedroom, there’s a style.
A most promising advantage of the electric fireplace is that it’s safe. You don’t have to worry about children getting their hands into the fire because there’s no fire. Some systems also feature an auto-off so you can sleep peacefully knowing that the fireplace is off.

Disadvantages

The flames aren’t as realistic as the companies claim them to be.
The electric fireplaces can’t have any exposure to the weather.
These depend on constant electricity for them to work.

Conclusion

Homeowners, if you’re in the market for a new heating option, you’ve got 3 Hot Options waiting for you. For a more professional opinion, you could always contact your local architect.

Get ready soon, because winter is here!

Oh yeah, there’s no winter festivities without some warmth and heat. But what are the hottest options?! It seems like the time to bring in the cavalry and some professional opinions.

A residential architect could be a decent place to start your survey. After all, architects are the ones who know your house inside out. (That’s a secret you now know!)

Hot or Not?

If you think surviving winters without any heating arrangements are possible, IT’S NOT. And that’s a big not. The temperature keeps on fluctuating while teaching you a new lesson every day.

“Oh, how I wish I’d gotten the thermostat fixed” “Honey, we ran out of logs for the fireplace” these are a few sentences you may hear yourself speaking at the peak of those winter months.

The truth is that you need the heat!

Let’s take a look at 3 Hot Options…, Wood Burning, Gas or Electric Fireplace and find out which one suit’s your needs.

Wood Burning

Today, open fireplaces serve more of an aesthetical rather than a functional purpose. When it comes to it, the design of fireplaces is inefficient in terms of energy saving.

Wood burning fireplaces may emit high quantities of pollutants from the compounds such as nitrogen, carbon, and others that it contains. These pollutants could harm human health.

A residential architect could be useful at this stage because of prior knowledge and their efficient credentials.

Advantages

You could benefit the local economy by growing or purchasing the wood biomass locally.
The cost of the fuel is cheaper in comparison to coal, natural gas, and heating oil.
A beneficial quality of fuel from wood, logs, or lumbar waste is that it’s renewable. It’s also widely available and sustainable, thereby allowing you to add brownie points to the declining environment and eliminating some carbon footprint.
The pellet stoves are relatively environment-friendly and utilize pellets comprising of wooden biomass. They also claim to have the support of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
If engineered efficiently, wood-burning may emit fewer air pollutants in comparison to coal and gas.
The utilization of forest waste could positively impact its health. Eliminating deadfalls from the forests may reduce the risk of unprecedented forest fires.
Wood burning is dependable if the region you reside in suffers from constant power outages during the harsh winters. With a reliable wooden stove, you get to stay warm round the clock, irrespective of your home’s gas or electric supply.
With wood burning, you have the option of flexible placement when it comes to wooden stoves. If there’s a way to run the vent pipe outside the house, a wooden stove could find its place anywhere.
A well-placed wood stove could heat your house and eliminate the need for expensive central heating costs.
As an extended benefit, wood fuel from woodlands under management could create a demand for skilled labor and provide the landowners with an incentive to manage the wood.

Disadvantages

In comparison to conventional boiler systems, wooden ones require a much large boiler for fuel maintenance.
The automated fuel equipment of today requires close monitoring to avoid shutdowns.
The equipment required for the wooden systems is quite expensive. Another factor to consider is that wood is highly flammable and needs an advanced boiling system.

Gas

A gas heating arrangement is one of the most popular choices for winter globally. The gas heaters seem to perform better and are more dependable than the electric counterparts.

These gas heaters heat rooms quicker and keep them warm for a longer time. They also exhibit an economic benefit as they’re cheaper than electric systems.

Advantages

The best advantage that comes along with natural gas heaters is the affordability. Homeowners always tend to keep finances their top priority. Nobody wants to overpay for their heating.
In comparison to other fossil fuels, natural gas is a better choice for the environment. Even though it’s not the cleanest source of energy, it doesn’t emit sulfur. That makes for a win-win situation.
Another benefit to look forward to is the reliability. Even if your area suffers frequent power outages, it won’t affect your gas heater. HVAC and water will immediately turn off once the power shuts down. However, you can rest assured that a natural gas heater will keep on running.
Efficiency is a parameter that associates with gas heaters. As a result of combustion, your house could warm up quicker and stay warmer than the performance an electric heater would provide.
Natural gas heaters come across as a decent long-term investment. If your home has an existing line, you won’t have to incur any extra installation charges.
As a long-term solution, natural gas heaters provide comfort, dependency, and one-time spending for a worthwhile performance in those cold and snowy winters.
In comparison to fireplaces, natural gas heaters are convenient to operate and don’t create any mess.
If you consult a residential architect, they may tell you that many prospective buyers question natural gas availability when looking for a new residence. So, in the long run, you’re increasing the value of your home.

Disadvantages

If your property doesn’t have a natural gas line connection, you may have to incur extra charges during the system installation.
Over-heating of the radiant coils may cause structural fatigue. If that’s the case, you’re looking at replacing the element entirely.
The burning of fossil fuels results in the emission of carbon monoxide, which raises safety concerns.

Electric Fireplace

One of the most popular commercial techniques is the Optiflame, introduced by Dimplex. Over the years, the Irish company has come up with several patents and unique flame techniques.

Advantages

The best advantage of an electric fireplace is that it doesn’t release any fumes. When you turn on the electric fireplace, the light seems to create a realistic appearance of flames. Since gas isn’t part of the system, you don’t have to worry about smoke entering your home.
Since electric fireplaces don’t consume actual wood and hence don’t release smoke, the maintenance requirements are significantly lower.
Electric fireplaces are more reasonable to install than regular ones. The cost largely depends on the style that you select. You must factor in that you don’t have to consider the cost of installing a chimney or regular cleaning.
Electric fireplaces value energy efficiency. Since these use less electricity than the primary heating system in your home, you’re lowering the energy bills.
Electric fireplaces boast a long service life. Unlike heaters and fireplaces, these aren’t susceptible to corrosion or rust and hence last longer.
The easy installation of electric fireplaces makes it a favorite among homeowners. You don’t have to worry about demolishing a wall to accommodate the system. However, do note that installation depends on the style that you select.
Electric fireplaces come with a plethora of designs. It seems like there’s an electric fireplace built just according to the style of each individual. Whether you want a more traditional mantelpiece or something modern for your bedroom, there’s a style.
A most promising advantage of the electric fireplace is that it’s safe. You don’t have to worry about children getting their hands into the fire because there’s no fire. Some systems also feature an auto-off so you can sleep peacefully knowing that the fireplace is off.

Disadvantages

The flames aren’t as realistic as the companies claim them to be.
The electric fireplaces can’t have any exposure to the weather.
These depend on constant electricity for them to work.

Conclusion

Homeowners, if you’re in the market for a new heating option, you’ve got 3 Hot Options waiting for you. For a more professional opinion, you could always contact your local architect.

Get ready soon, because winter is here!

Aric Gitomer Architect, LLC

(973) 829-1720