Hi,
I'm sorry, this is so not a mom question, but I am a mom and I really need advice. We are considering a gas or electric fireplace insert. The gas one is beautiful, expensive and will take major changes in my gas line. Does anyone have a good looking electric insert and does it provide some warmth? Are there downsides to either a gas or electric insert? I'd really appreciate your help.
Thanks for your help. I went to another dealer and saw their very best electric inserts and though the price was great, my heart was with the beauty of the gas insert. So we purchased ours today. For those who recommended wood, age and asthma both made that not an option. Again, thanks for the input.
The major difference is that the gas insert will still work when the power goes out. In my opinion, gas also throws better heat and looks much nicer because it actually has real flames.
I agree with the gas. Being in an area of the country where we lose power with snow storms, high winds etc, I was one who grew up with gas and was always afraid of it. I, however, am so glad we have at our disposal a gas fireplace as well as a gas stove and a gas water heater. Love my gas.
just stick with wood, its cheaper. you can you actually get firewood delivered to your home for free
Everyone I know who has the electric ones can't stand it, at least from the perspective of providing any actual warmth. Most of them look very nice, but I've never come across anyone who thinks they're actually useful for providing heat.
i have a pellet stove electric insert. uses pellets. it heats up this house love it.
i purchase pellets in spring (half price), store in garage, and during the winter during the day i never use house heating just the pellet stove. at night i turn it off. beautiful. the brand i have is quadra fire
We have a Lopi Woodburning stove insert, it requires 18" of stone in front of the glass doors (that you can see the fire through - very cozy), it can heat 2400 square feet house no problem, is takes minimal air from the room to burn so you do not lose all your heat up the chimney, we can get a good base going and achieve an overnight burn if necessary and re-stoke in the morning. It has a fan you can use or not to distribute the heat better. Some have pans you can put on top to add water to so the air is not dry. I LOVE our woodburning stove insert. I am not sure if the gas/electric ones create much heat, but they look nice.
The electric fireplaces fire look so fake. I do not like anything about them.
I have a gas FP that I love but mine is vented to the outside in a way that makes it not heater rated. My dad says it actually pulls heat out of the house although my family room does get warm when it is on.
My brother had a gas FP that was heater rated and his room would get so so hot it would automatically shut it self off since it was on a thermostat.
If you want it for heat that is the way to go but if it is for ambiance I like the one I have. Additionally, I think it depends on how big the space is you are trying to heat. My brother's family room was on the smaller side and was an isolated room. My FR is on the larger side (22' x 20') and is open to my kitchen and morning room.
I would think a gas fireplace would increase the value of your home:)
I love our gas insert. We switched over from wood about 8-9 years ago for allergy and asthma reasons. I swore I'd never do it, but I love it. Warm and clean and easy.
