How to Choose a Fireplace for Your Home
Figuring out how to choose a fireplace for your home might seem overwhelming, but there are specific items to consider that will help you narrow your search and find the right fireplace to suit your home and lifestyle. This fireplace buyer guide explains which factors to evaluate, ranging from fuel type to style to heating efficiency. It’s important to determine the purpose of the fireplace- whether it’s for an efficient heating solution or a decorative element in your home. A beautiful fireplace will bring warmth and ambiance to your home for years to come.
Consider the Fuel of Your Fireplace
When figuring out how to choose a fireplace for your home, first decide which type of fuel you will use. There are four basic options- wood-burning, gas, electric, and pellet, each with its own pros and cons in terms of heating efficiency, style, and maintenance.
Wood Fireplaces
The most traditional option, wood-burning fireplaces provide that crackling fire sound and an aroma reminiscent of a cozy campfire. Wood-burning fires require a level of commitment- they take time to light, need to be fed new logs as they burn, and take time to burn down. Since they produce smoke, proper ventilation is critical. Ashes need to be cleaned out regularly, and chimney inspection and sweeping should be done at least once a year.
Gas Fireplaces
Gas fireplaces are convenient and easy to operate, turning on and off in a matter of seconds, and are flexible in terms of installation. Gas fireplaces can be fueled by natural gas, or if you don’t have natural gas running into your home, liquid propane gas. They are either vented or ventless. A vented natural gas fireplace is sealed off and produces combustion by pulling air from outside. In contrast, a ventless natural gas fireplace uses the air from the room for combustion, releasing heat into the space. Faux logs replicate the look of a wood-burning fire but don’t produce smoke or ash. Gas fireplaces offer a variety of features today, including smart home integration and battery backup.
Electric Fireplaces
Electric fireplaces are designed to mimic the look of a wood-burning fireplace, sometimes outfitted with a faux wood log inside, but don’t require any wood and require little maintenance. They are easy to install and can be plugged into an outlet or hardwired into your electrical system. With a controlled burn and easy-to-adjust flame height, electric fireplaces are a safe heating option for any space.
Pellet Stoves
Pellet stoves operate more like modern furnaces than classic wood stoves, with automated fuel-feeding systems and thermostatic controls. Pellet stoves create heat by burning compressed wood or biomass pellets. Environmentally friendly and efficient, pellet stoves are clean-burning, producing very little ash or smoke. They come as either freestanding units or inserts to fit into fireplaces.
Location in Your Home
Part of figuring out how to choose a fireplace is analyzing the location, including the size of the room, the existing infrastructure, and the decor. A charming traditional wood-burning fireplace might serve as the focal point of your living room. If you don’t have an existing fireplace, the flexibility of a gas insert might be the answer. An electric fireplace is ideal for smaller spaces and can be a good option for renters or condo owners.
Consider Your Style
Consider your home’s style when contemplating how to choose a fireplace- is it traditional, transitional, or modern? In addition to the heat it provides, a gorgeous fireplace will star as the stunning focal point of your living space. Fireplace aesthetics vary by design, ranging from rustic to modern. Wood-burning fireplaces offer a traditional look, while gas fireplaces can offer a sleek, minimalist style. Electric fireplaces come in a variety of sizes and styles to suit any space.
Heating Efficiency
Fireplaces vary greatly in heating efficiency. A fireplace’s heating efficiency is measured in BTUs. The higher the BTUs, the more efficient the heating. This is especially relevant if you are looking for a fireplace to serve as your primary heating source or a good supplement to your primary source. Gas fireplaces provide high heating efficiency. While not the most efficient, wood-burning fireplaces offer the cozy warmth of radiant heat. Electric fireplaces are equipped with adjustable heat settings, allowing you to control the heat level.
Remember Safety Features
When deciding how to choose a fireplace, consider what safety features your family requires. Particularly important for families with small children or pets, there are a variety of features available, like heat shields, glass doors, and child safety locks. In addition to properly vented chimneys, wood-burning fireplaces should have fireplace screens to block hot embers and burning sparks. And it’s important to have working smoke alarms near the entry of any room in which you have a fireplace.
Maintenance After Your Purchase
Consider the maintenance required over the lifetime of the fireplace. Wood-burning fireplaces require frequent cleaning of ashes and annual professional chimney inspection and sweeping, as well as storage of the proper type of wood. Gas fireplaces need minimal cleaning but do require occasional professional inspections. Pellet stoves have parts that require regular cleaning. Electric fireplaces are maintenance-free- requiring nothing more than dusting.
Shop Fireplaces with Rettinger Fireplace Systems in Berlin, NJ
At Rettinger Fireplace Systems, we believe that every family should have a beautiful fireplace that keeps them warm and fits their home and lifestyle perfectly. We’ve helped 20,000 customers with their fireplaces over the last three decades. Call, click, or visit our showroom and see how a fireplace can add warmth and beauty to your home.