What have your experiences been with gas fireplaces and heating cost savings?

December 15th, 2006 | by Michael |
heating cost
Question Bill asked:




ALBERTO

  1. 2 Responses to “What have your experiences been with gas fireplaces and heating cost savings?”

  2. By Moon Raker on Dec 18, 2006 | Reply

    Nice to look at, but a lot of the heat goes up the chimney

  3. By HalfHandy2 on Dec 20, 2006 | Reply

    By gas fireplace I am hoping you are not referring to a vented gas log fireplace. If that is the type you are referring to than save your money and your gas. Gas logs are notoriously inefficient and worse yet they require that the damper is to be blocked open all the time (yes, that means even when you are not using it). When you are using a vented gas log it run at 10% efficiency and will burn in 3 hours what a furnace will burn in a day. I took my vented gas log in the basement out and plugged the damper with a chimney balloon to seal it nice and tight, and now I just burn candles in there every once in a while.

    Now, If you are referring to putting in a direct vent fireplace or stove you are on to something…These direct vent units work like a direct vent furnace and create very usable and efficient heat especially if you are looking for zone heating for one main room. My sister has a direct vent stove that heats a 1500 square foot apartment with 12 foot ceilings and cold brick walls, and it does it for a reasonable cost. Her therm consumption is slightly over mine, But I have a 1200 square foot ranch with a power vent furnace and ducts.
    So the moral of the story is gas logs=bad, direct vent stove or fireplace = good.

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