Post by bb on Jan 27, 2008 12:04:25 GMT -4
If is only using gas for the fireplace, it really depends on how much she plans to use it... Had ours converted to gas when we moved here for ease... I knew my hubby would not be out splitting wood and I have enough back issues that I shouldn't be doing too much of that type of thing. My friends in Murphy have a wood fireplace, but he is able to get all the wood they need and they also invested in a splitter. I like having "instant" ambience and heat. The gas fireplace does not have as much heat as a wood one, IMO. I do have a blower which helps some. On that note, it is hard to "turn down" the heat from a wood fireplace like you can with gas.
Gas doesn't have the ashes you have to clean out, nor the firewood that has to be hauled into the house (along with spiders and who knows what other little critters) so I reckon it is cleaner to use. You don't have that nice wood burning aroma or the crackle with gas, though. As far as cost; gas is expensive right now and if you want to do the work, wood is cheap. I don't know what it costs to have it delivered ready to use if you want to buy it. I know there are people that do all the work and bring it to you if you want to go that route.
In the long run, it really is personal preference.
Gas doesn't have the ashes you have to clean out, nor the firewood that has to be hauled into the house (along with spiders and who knows what other little critters) so I reckon it is cleaner to use. You don't have that nice wood burning aroma or the crackle with gas, though. As far as cost; gas is expensive right now and if you want to do the work, wood is cheap. I don't know what it costs to have it delivered ready to use if you want to buy it. I know there are people that do all the work and bring it to you if you want to go that route.
In the long run, it really is personal preference.
) We had that one installed upstairs. After living through one winter here, we realized that we really needed one downstairs, and bought the same model for downstairs (we spend a lot more time down here, AND it helps warm the floors upstairs). We bought them from Aspen Fireplaces, and have been very happy with the service. We, too, have a blower with ours. Our house also has the central heat, also lit by the gas. We hardly ever use that. We use our two fireplaces, which take up a lot less gas. Every summer, we go and pre-pay (we use our tax return) for the winter. It is MUCH cheaper. We spent $1.79 a gallon (now it's up to over $2.30 something). Now, if you remember Honeybear has one of each, in addition to the central...they have a log fireplace in the living room, and a gas one down in the basement. That way, they get the best of both worlds! The log fireplaces are nice aesthetically and the smell and sound of crackling wood. The gas fireplaces are definitely easier to manage, cleaner and still pretty to look at! And, they also have the advantage, as BB said, of adjusting the thermostat. 