If you’re looking for something to make your home feel more cozy, a fireplace might be just the answer.
Whether it’s cooking smores in the summer or staying warm in the winter, a gas fireplace can provide all of that without many installation problems. If you’ve never had one, it can be hard to know where to start. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place.
Here are a few tips to help you decide whether or not a gas fireplace is the right choice for you and your home.
- Venting Options
Gas fireplaces fall into two different categories typically: a vent-free or vented system. A vented system will require that you have a functional fireplace that can actually burn wood.
The vented system will allow you to actually build a fire and produce a more realistic flame. However, you’ll need a vented fireplace so that all of the exhaust and byproducts can escape.
Vent-free fireplaces will typically produce a blue flame, and it’ll give you more heat in your home. Regardless of which option you choose, check your city’s building codes. Some of them don’t allow a vent-free system.
- Trim Options
Depending on who you order your fireplace from, they may have customizable options as well.
- Placement
You’ll also want to consider where you want your residential fireplace. Traditionally, they’re found in the living or family room, but you can put it anywhere in your house.
Put it in a room where you want to add some warmth and ambiance. For example, if you want to soak in the tub with a relaxing fire, you might want to add it to your bathroom or master bedroom.
It could also be a great addition to a home office or a library where you want to curl up with a good book. Either way, make sure that it’s a place that makes sense for your home.
- Materials
You’ll also need to consider the materials of the gas fireplaces. You don’t want to get a gas fireplace that will heat different materials and release chemicals into your home.
A gas fireplace will have safety information on the box or online and ensure that it’s up to code before being installed in your home.
- Fuel
Gas fireplaces normally use natural gas or propane as the source of fuel. However, you’ll need to ensure that your home is connected to a natural gas line.
Natural gas fireplaces are more popular across the nation, but if you don’t have a gas line, then you could use another appliance like your water heater to generate it.
- Controls
The controls for your fireplace are also important because they’ll control the size and duration of the flame that you have in the fireplace.
There are typically four basic options for controlling the flame:
- Safety pilot valve
- Variable valve
- Electronic ignition valve
- Millivolt valve
The variable valve will let you use a remote control system so that you can adjust the fire without having to even get up from the couch.
The electronic system will let you fully control the logs and the fire. You can also adjust the height of the flame and turn it on and off as you want.
Lastly, the millivolt valve will also let you turn the logs on and off through a remotely controlled system.
- Investment
You’ll also want to determine your budget for the fireplace. Gas fireplaces range in price, and you can normally find one that’ll fit your budget.
You should always look at the sticker price of the fireplace as a starting point. It’s similar to buying a car. There are a lot of add-ons and options, and the price you see on the sticker is just the most basic option.
As you decide how much you want to spend, also keep in mind that installing this type of fireplace in your home is an investment. It will improve the value of your home, and many homeowners will actually consider buying a house because of the fireplace.
According to one study, 77% of home buyers said that they would spend more on a house that had a fireplace already installed.
- Retailers
Lastly, consider the retailer that you want to go through. Take your time to research different manufacturers and sellers and narrow your list down to the top three.
This will help you focus on the fireplaces that you actually like. Once you’ve narrowed it down, start talking to some sales representatives, who will help you through the entire process.
Learn More About Choosing a Gas Fireplace
These are only a few things to consider when choosing a gas fireplace, but there are many other options that you could try.
We know that choosing the right look for your home can be stressful, but we’re here to help you out.
For more information on designing your home, make sure that you check out some of the other articles on our site!
