I caught an article on fireplaces that addressed some of the big advances that have been made in the realm of fireplaces and stoves powered by wood, pellets, corn, gas, and even electricity. These advances have helped make them a lot more fuel efficient, putting out more heat for your money. But is a fireplace really an economical alternative for heating your home?
Basically it depends. A wood stove (or one that burns corn or pellets) is designed to put out a lot of warmth and not waste a lot of energy. Open fireplaces, on the other hand, aren’t that great because heat escapes up the chimney. Electric fireplaces, though more realistic than ever, are essentially just space heaters. Gas fireplaces can heat up a room nicely (though rarely the whole house) and can be nice in areas where gas is the most affordable fuel.
There are several fireplace choices today, but there’s nothing like spending an evening around a real wood-burning fire. If you’re building a new home or buying an existing home, I recommend looking into a wood-burning fireplace or wood stove for reliable heat when the power is out.
■Electric Fireplaces–These are plug-in devices with fake burning logs. Requiring electricity, they may be a good choice for someone who wants a fireplace, but lives in a condo or other situation where a chimney is not an option.
■Gas Fireplaces–Despite using natural gas or propane as fuel, these fireplaces typically also require electricity for their ignition control systems. Like electric fireplaces, they feature fake burning logs.
■Pellet Stoves–Pellet stoves are very efficient at heating and they show off a real burning glow. However, the pellet feeding and blower mechanisms both require electricity in order to function.
■Wood-burning Fireplaces–Wood-burning fireplaces provide a very nice ambience. They are not especially efficient at heating; however, they can easily heat a room or cabin in the event of a power outage.
■Wood Stoves–Wood stoves may not offer exactly the same romantic atmosphere as a wood-burning fireplace, but they are quite effective at providing heat for small homes. Like wood-burning fireplaces, they do not require any electricity to operate. You can also use a wood stove as an old-fashioned humidifier by placing a pot of water atop the radiant metal wood stove.I caught an article on fireplaces that addressed some of the big advances that have been made in the realm of fireplaces and stoves powered by wood, pellets, corn, gas, and even electricity. These advances have helped make them a lot more fuel efficient, putting out more heat for your money. But is a fireplace really an economical alternative for heating your home?