Pros and Cons of a Gas Fireplace
If you are trying to decide whether or not you want to spend the money to add on a gas fireplace, you need to take the time to see the effects of having one in your home. So let’s look at some of the reasons why you want to set the money aside.
Pros
- Resale
The addition of a gas fire place can make your home’s resale value go up by as much as 20%. It will also open the door to more potential buyers. There are some people that will look solely for a fireplace when they are looking for a new home.
- Cleaner
A gas fire place is not going to have soot building up in the flumes. In fact, if you go ventless you don’t even have a flume to worry with. You also do not have to worry about cleaning out ashes.
- Safer
With a gas fireplace you do not have to worry about logs or kindling falling out of the fireplace and catching the surrounding area on fire.
- Ease
Gas fireplaces are just so easy to use. You push a button and you have a fire. With another touch, the fire is out. There is no hassle with trying to make the fire light or with having to wait for the fire to go out before you go to bed. You don’t have to chop logs or store wood either.
Cons
- Installation
Installation and maintenance can cause a pretty little dent in your budget. You have to hire a contractor to handle both gas lines and to cut holes for venting.
- Safety
Yes, it is safer than a wood burning fire place, but gas fire places have issues with releasing carbon monoxide. They are low doses, especially in a vented fire place, but they are there.
- Fuel
Adding fuel to the fire is easy, but you have to have it. It may not be easy to find a place to buy fuel. There are added costs to transporting it as well.