Gas or Wood Fireplaces – Which Ignites Your Style? 

So, you want to include a fireplace in your home. You and your family are trying to make an educated decision. What type of fireplace do you want installed? You have narrowed it down to gas burning vs wood burning.  Our technicians at Mercer County Chimney Services are experienced in both. We will be happy to install gas-burning fireplaces or wood-burning fireplaces.  

Let’s discuss some of the pros and cons of each. This will help you make a more educated decision. 

Wood burning Fireplace

• Safety and Health – Flying embers from the fireplace can cause damage to the home. Danger to family members and pets. 
• Wood storage – You will have to have space in your home as well as outside to store wood. A dry covered place in your yard or in the garage would be a good place.
• Maintenance – An annual inspection and cleaning is important. This will keep the fireplace in good working condition. 
• Ease in starting the fire – Keeping a wood-burning fire burning will take some work. Starting, stoking, and adding extra wood to keep it ablaze. 
• Ambiance – A wood-burning fire is second to none. The authentic smell and the crackle of the fire. Many people choose wood burning for these reasons alone.
• Pollutants – With a wood-burning fire, there are toxic gasses that can be produced. 
• Efficiency – You will find that much of the warm air will go up the chimney. Experts feel that a wood-burning fireplace is approximately 30% – 50% efficient.
• Costs – There is a lot to think about. There is a cost of wood, annual inspections, chimney sweep, and regular maintenance. The cost of operating a wood-burning fireplace can be costly over time.
• Lifespan – A masonry fireplace can last a lifetime. 

Gas burning Fireplace

• Gas fireplaces are very safe. You don’t have to worry about embers flying into your home or in your surroundings.
• There is no need for wood storage. The gas used is piped in from your source.
• Maintenance – With a gas fireplace you do still need to get an annual inspection. This will keep your fireplace burning with ease.
• Ease of use – A turn of a switch and you have a fire. Most units have extra controls for ease in use. 
• Ambiance – A gas fireplace comes in different styles. They are very good looking.  They don’t have the same appeal as a wood-burning fireplace.  
• Pollutants – There are very few pollutants produced. 
• Efficiency – Experts predict that a gas fireplace is about 99% efficient. Radiant heat will help heat your home. This is an excellent optional heat source. 
• Costs – With only the use of gas to run the fire, this is a less costly option than wood burning.
• Lifespan – A gas-burning fireplace will last you approximately 15-20 years. 

Resale of your home with both types of fireplaces gives you the same benefit. They add to the home’s resale value. 

We will be happy to speak to you about your options on fireplaces. Book an appointment today by calling 609–802–5288. Our technicians will be able to install and maintain your fireplace. Whichever you choose, we can help. 

Mercer County Chimney Service is the top-rated chimney and fireplace contractor in New Jersey and Mercer County. Our technicians are fully licensed and certified for your peace of mind. We are experts in the field. Call us to discuss your options in fireplaces.