Gas Fireplaces Are a Popular Winter Home Improvement

Gas fireplaces are an easy and cozy way to heat up a room, or even a small home. There are several different designs and models and while they all work primarily the same the way they vent is very different. Most gas units are all designed to only work with natural gas; however, there are some models that also effectively work with propane as well to ensure that you are always able to connect to a viable fuel source. Models that run on propane can be installed anywhere, even motorhomes. This is part of what makes them such a popular home improvement project. They are also relatively easy to install.

Before choosing a gas fireplace, you’ll have to decide which kind is right for you.

There are two different types of gas fireplaces in terms of venting options. The first is a vented unit; these typically require a chimney in order to vent the waste from the burnt gas. The other option is a ventless or unvented fireplace. This requires no chimney and carefully cleans much of the waste and disperses it into an area where the fumes can be safely vented. It is important to realize that many of the unvented or ventless units are not able to be legally installed in many areas and it is very important that you ensure you can have a ventless unit in your home before buying one.

As the gas fireplace is working, it will slowly draw fuel in from the gas line that is running to your home. Typically, you will have to install the fireplace close to an access point for the ease of installation. As the unit is burning, it will burn the gas fuel and disperse the heat from the fire into the room. This process will usually allow you to easily heat an entire room safely and much more effectively than a wood fireplace would previously.

Ensuring that you keep the unit well maintained and properly working will help to ensure that you are getting the best and most efficient usage possible as well. It is generally advised that you have your gas fireplace serviced at least every 2 years to ensure that it is properly working and to have it thoroughly cleaned to avoid any potential safety concerns. It is also advisable to have the unit inspected more often if you suspect that there is a problem of some sort, such as a sudden increase in gas consumption for no explainable reason, or if you smell gas in your home continuously.

Many gas fireplaces also offer remote controls that are connected to a remote ignition system. This allows you to start the fireplace from across the room without actually touching the unit itself (remotes are popular with units installed in bedrooms). These systems are generally highly effective and can be highly convenient for ensuring that you are able to quickly and easily start the unit without having to actually touch buttons and controls on the fireplace itself. If you are using a remote control fireplace, it is very important that you keep the remote out of the reach of children, and also ensure that you do still periodically have the unit cleaned and inspected to make sure it is working properly.

As you can see, gas fireplaces are relatively simple to choose, and they can often be installed in a couple hours. This may be the perfect home improvement project for you this winter.