A fireplace adds a warm, cozy ambiance to your space along with money-saving heat. According to the United States Census Bureau, 37% of new single-family homes sold in the Midwest in 2023 had a fireplace.
Whether you already have a fireplace in your Asbury, IA home or you’re thinking of having one installed, it’s important to understand your fireplace options.
Read on to learn more about the different types of fireplaces so you can decide which option is the right one for you.
Wood-Burning Fireplaces
As you consider your fireplace options in Asbury, wood-burning is the most traditional and popular choice. This type of fireplace is usually offered in either an open or closed hearth design.
An open hearth wood-burning fireplace uses air from the room to keep the fire going. While it does look and feel wonderful, it can also pollute the indoor air and isn’t quite as efficient as the closed hearth design.
The closed hearth fireplace can heat up to 10 times more efficiently than the open-hearth design. It also uses less wood and prevents the heat from escaping, saving you precious time, money, and effort.
You can also find wood-burning fireplaces as an insert and a prefabricated design. Whichever one you choose, there are some pros and cons to this fireplace style to keep in mind.
Pros and Cons of Wood-Burning Fireplaces
There’s nothing quite like sitting in front of a roaring, crackling fire. Not only are these fireplaces beautiful to look at, but many people find the scent and sound of the fire quite soothing. Many people also consider wood-burning fireplaces an asset, which means they could potentially increase the value of your Asbury, IA home.
While these fireplaces are beautiful, they also require quite a lot of upkeep and maintenance. Besides needing a constant supply of fresh wood, you’ll also have to have the chimney cleaned fairly often to ensure safety. You’ll also need to add a screen to prevent ash and embers from burning your home, and some consider wood-burning fireplaces much more dangerous than other alternatives.
Different Types of Fireplaces: Electric
Electric fireplaces are extremely easy to use, making them a popular choice for today’s homeowners. These fireplaces are also affordable and include wall-mounted, inset, stove-style, and basket-style designs to suit your home’s unique style or space. Some major retailers also sell electric fireplace TV stands that include a built-in fireplace right inside the furniture, which is affordable and easy to use.
The wall-mounted electric fireplaces look like a TV and add a modern component to any home, while the stove-style designs are portable and mimic the classic look of a wood-burning fireplace. The basket style resembles older, crown-shaped fireplaces. An inset electric fireplace is the most common and is usually installed directly into the wall as a permanent fixture.
Pros and Cons of Electric Fireplaces
When it comes to the fireplace process installation in Asbury, electric is one of the easiest, especially if you want it in an apartment or condo. Since there’s no need for a chimney, these fireplaces are also low maintenance and don’t need regular cleaning.
Since they’re so easy to install, these fireplaces come in a wider range of designs, sizes, and price points to suit your needs. All you need to do is place your electric fireplace where you want it, plug it into an outlet, turn it on, and enjoy.
The downside of electric fireplaces is that they don’t create that familiar crackle and pleasant scent you get with a traditional wood-burning fireplace. If your power happens to go out, you’ll also lose the source of heat from the fireplace which can be rough during the Asbury winters. Finally, some people don’t like the way the “fake flames” look inside of an electric fireplace.
Gas Fireplaces
Gas is another one of the most popular different types of fireplaces and it requires a connection to an active natural gas line. This is a popular alternative to wood-burning fireplaces and you can even convert your existing one to gas if you choose. A vented and ventless gas fireplace are the two most common types available to homeowners.
Vented gas fireplaces require heat to vent through a chimney, similar to wood-burning models. You can use faux ceramic logs or some other material like shimmering glass pieces or beads for a modern look. Ventless gas fireplaces in Asbury don’t use venting so they can sit directly against an internal wall as long as it’s connected to the gas line.
Pros and Cons of Gas Fireplaces
Many people prefer gas fireplaces because they use a clean, natural heat source that’s easier to maintain. All you need to do is push a button or use the pilot light and your fireplace will come on. They’re also more energy-efficient than wood-burning fireplaces and emit less smoke without the added worry of stray embers accidentally starting a house fire.
As for the downsides, gas fireplaces don’t have the same appeal as more traditional styles, and they’re not nearly as warm as wood, either. If your gas company has an outage, the fire will go out, and it usually costs more for the initial installation of a gas fireplace than it does for electric or wood-burning. You’ll also still need to have some kind of ventilation system installed to route the harmful gases out of your home.
Find Your Perfect Fireplace
These are just a few of the most popular of many different types of fireplaces available for your Asbury, IA home. Whether you love the classic look and feel of a wood-burning fireplace, prefer the modern design of the electric models, or want clean-burning gas, each of these fireplace styles has its own unique set of pros and cons.
At Birch Heating & Cooling, we have been in the business of HVAC services and temperature control solutions since 1996. We’re fully committed to offering our Asbury, IA customers cutting-edge technology and sustainable practices, so contact us today for more information about your fireplace installation and maintenance needs.
