If you wish to upgrade your older gas fireplace or have a wood burning one, you may want to consider the advantages of fireplace inserts. For fireplace inserts gas options make the entire process uncomplicated and reasonable. These provide your fireplace with the capability to become an efficient and effective heating system for your favorite room. Today’s modern versions offer you the chance to make a stylish statement in your home while saving money on heating costs.
Categories of Gas Fireplace Inserts
When it comes to choosing a gas fireplace insert, you are given two principle choices. These are vented and vent-free.
- Vented Gas Fireplace Insert: This type or category contains both direct vent (DV) and top vent (B-vent) models. DV finds its most common application in retrofitting an existing fireplace. The technology utilizes the existing chimney to draw air in for combustion and to remove the exhaust fumes to the exterior. This makes it the better option for structures constructed as airtight. It also makes them perfect for basements. A B-vent system requires a vent, but the system is often threaded through the exterior wall. This makes them adaptable to any set-up but often makes them less efficient than a DV.
- Vent-Free Gas Fireplace Insert: As the name clearly indicates, a bent-free system does not require a venting system running to the exterior of the home. It does not need a chimney to provide you with the heat you and your family want. While the installer can place it within an existing chimney, he or she can also place it anywhere within the room as a freestanding unit. Some prefer vent-free as they are easier for overall installation if you are renting and do not own the home. They are also the ideal choice if you are renovating your home.
However, before you make a definitive choice between vented and vent-free fireplace inserts, gas fireplace regulations require checking. Some municipalities e.g. New York City and several in Kansas and Illinois do not allow you to install a vent-free fireplace. In California, they are prohibited completely.
Fireplace Inserts: Gas
Fireplaces are a popular commodity in many homes. Increasingly, as the cost of heating a home continues to rise, people explore their options. For those who perceive zone heating as a viable means of reducing their overall energy use and cost, the answer lies with the installation of a fireplace or, if they already have an existing one, fireplace inserts. Gas, because of its ease of use, low maintenance and safety record is one very viable solution to an ongoing problem.
