Fireplace: Gas or Wood?

[Jeff7181]

I'm building a home and have the choice of no fireplace, a gas fireplace or a wood fireplace. The wood fireplace costs about 60% more than a gas fireplace, but I really like the idea of a wood burning fireplace.

If I end up going with a fireplace (so that's it's covered under the 10-year structure warranty from the builder), should I go with gas or wood and why?

 

[OutHouse]

I'm building a home and have the choice of no fireplace, a gas fireplace or a wood fireplace. The wood fireplace costs about 60% more than a gas fireplace, but I really like the idea of a wood burning fireplace.

If I end up going with a fireplace (so that's it's covered under the 10-year structure warranty from the builder), should I go with gas or wood and why?

wood. Gas gets expensive pretty fast.

 

[MongGrel]

Well, I'm in Florida and have a wood one actually that I rarely use.

My uncle used to have a gas one in his basement, never really cared for it.

As far as practicality, I'd say none. A lot of your heat can get funneled out of one in Michigan.

But I've always liked having one, even when I lived in Indiana we would start a wood burning one now and then and even sleep in the living room watching a movie on sleeping bags, just because a nice wood fire is just soothing.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Gas is far cleaner resulting in less maintenance.

 

[highland145]

but I really like the idea of a wood burning fireplace.

No you don't. Wood, get it, split it, kindling, stoke the fire, daily PITA, ashes, repeat plus something I forgot. Unless you have access to free wood like a guy I know up your way or gas is too expensive.

Gas...turn the knob, push the button...walla D)...flames and heat. And the wife is happy, fire every night for 30 min, turn it off. Gas is cheap.




Aside, understand the difference between vented and un-vented logs. They both need venting.

 

[highland145]

wood. Gas gets expensive pretty fast.

Propane is ridiculous here (has been $3.5) , natural gas isn't.

A load of wood, $65..?.. but that's like a 1/2 cord.

 

[Jeff7181]

For what it's worth, the gas would be natural gas, not propane.

 

[highland145]

Ventless means no heat escaping via your chimney thumbsup but you MUST have enough sqft to account for the carbon monoxide.

We have a 1937 chimney that has the dampener closed and the gas logs. I could go back to wood later.

 

[Leyawiin]

Gas. A new, well insulated home doesn't need nor should have a wood burning fireplace. Wood is dirty, polluting and a general p.i.t.a. (I grew up in a home in the Sierra Nevada with a wood stove - taught me to hate them).

 

[krose]

Gas. I've had wood, coal and gas. Gas fireplaces have a thermostat. Our Mendota has a remote with which you can turn the temp up or down, control the blower fan, adjust the flame size, and shut off one of the burners as needed. Wood and coal are a pita. They're dirty, and it's either full heat or none. Gas only comes on when you need it.

 

[Humpy]

I would skip the fireplace all together. It frees up wall/floor space for other things and the money saved will pay for a few winters worth heat for the house.

IMO they just don't make sense anymore unless your in an off-grid cabin or something.

 

[NoTine42]

It's like charcoal vs gas grills. One is better, but gas is soooo easy.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I would skip the fireplace all together. It frees up wall/floor space for other things and the money saved will pay for a few winters worth heat for the house.

IMO they just don't make sense anymore unless your in an off-grid cabin or something.

Let me guess, you prefer a modernist style, open concept and, a white kitchen.

I like fireplaces but prefer gas inside. The wood fire goes in the fire pit outside.

 

[jagec]

Gas. You will actually USE a gas fireplace, whereas wood will get used once a year at most.

Either will up your insurance, of course.

 

[NAC4EV]

Have you considered a wood stove????

http://www.amazon.com/Drolet-High-Efficiency-Wood-Stove-HT2000/dp/B000A6D196?tag=finest-fires-20

 

[Humpy]

Let me guess, you prefer a modernist style, open concept and, a white kitchen.

I like fireplaces but prefer gas inside. The wood fire goes in the fire pit outside.

I like some modern/minimal architecture but it's easily overdone.

I'm more of a functionalist. Many houses need a source of heat. What is the best way to fulfill that need? To me a gas fired boiler feeding a concrete floor as a radiator does that really well.

Fireplaces are mostly meant to appease women.

 

[OutHouse]

Gas. You will actually USE a gas fireplace, whereas wood will get used once a year at most.

Either will up your insurance, of course.

until you get your gas bill in.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I would go with wood, but make sure it's one that works like a wood stove, ex: closed combustion. A traditional wood fireplace actually sucks so much air outside that it makes the house colder.

Also consider whether or not you can afford to use up that wall. My house has an old wood fireplace that I've been debating on converting to a wood stove insert, but problem is, it's literally in the way. The TV is on the opposite wall, so I need to put the couch sideways, and I can't put the TV anywhere else because one side is the window and other side is dining room. So I'm actually debating on ripping out the fireplace so I can put the couch there.

But since this is a new house you can make it work. Personally I'd try to fit in a wood stove. Depending on fossil fuel is bad, it's not sustainable, so it's nice to be able to burn wood for heat.

I'd love to put in a wood stove, I might put one in my basement at some point. It would act as supplementary or backup heat. Price of electricity and gas keep going up, but wood, you can just go cut down some dead trees, it's practically free.

If I had a big property I'd actually look into some kind of steam turbine system to generate power from wood too. As oil prices keep going up, it actually starts to make sense to go back to "old fashioned" ways, but with a higher tech approach. Newer wood burning appliances are much more efficient than they were before.

 

[jagec]

until you get your gas bill in.

My house has a gas stove and a gas furnace, and the highest my bills ever get are maybe $80/month in the winter. Mind you, the house is small and I keep that thermostat low, but natural gas is quite cheap.

 

[Iron Woode]

I grew up with a wood fireplace. It always reminds me a family, warmth, relaxation, etc...

even my cat liked the fireplace.

nowadays you can get a reburner or high efficiency insert and have 90% efficiency, can heat a 2600sqft house and your exhaust is water vapour. 2 logs can last nearly 30 hours depending on model.

you would also consume less wood.

 

[Ken g6]

Electronic?

 

[Iron Woode]

I would go with wood, but make sure it's one that works like a wood stove, ex: closed combustion. A traditional wood fireplace actually sucks so much air outside that it makes the house colder.

Also consider whether or not you can afford to use up that wall. My house has an old wood fireplace that I've been debating on converting to a wood stove insert, but problem is, it's literally in the way. The TV is on the opposite wall, so I need to put the couch sideways, and I can't put the TV anywhere else because one side is the window and other side is dining room. So I'm actually debating on ripping out the fireplace so I can put the couch there.

But since this is a new house you can make it work. Personally I'd try to fit in a wood stove. Depending on fossil fuel is bad, it's not sustainable, so it's nice to be able to burn wood for heat.

I'd love to put in a wood stove, I might put one in my basement at some point. It would act as supplementary or backup heat. Price of electricity and gas keep going up, but wood, you can just go cut down some dead trees, it's practically free.

If I had a big property I'd actually look into some kind of steam turbine system to generate power from wood too. As oil prices keep going up, it actually starts to make sense to go back to "old fashioned" ways, but with a higher tech approach. Newer wood burning appliances are much more efficient than they were before.

check out Regency Fireplace:

http://www.regency-fire.com/Products/Wood/Wood-Inserts.aspx

 

[NAC4EV]

check out Regency Fireplace:

http://www.regency-fire.com/Products/Wood/Wood-Inserts.aspx

Regency Pro-Series F5100 Extra Large Wood Stove




YEP!!! It's one of my choices...

Optimum Efficiency at 85.48%
Burn Time up to 30 hrs
IT'S A RE-BURNER DESIGN
Airwash system helps keep the glass clean,

 

[tortillasoup]

I'm building a home and have the choice of no fireplace, a gas fireplace or a wood fireplace. The wood fireplace costs about 60% more than a gas fireplace, but I really like the idea of a wood burning fireplace.

If I end up going with a fireplace (so that's it's covered under the 10-year structure warranty from the builder), should I go with gas or wood and why?

Go with an electric fireplace. You don't need an actual fireplace, just for the ambiance. Real fireplaces are just places for heat to escape from the house (a bad thing).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSv7VHNRrzY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcaKYfqw1oA


http://www.amazon.com/Dimplex/b/ref...588448011&field-lbr_brands_browse-bin=Dimplex

These look more realistic than a cheap log with a gas flame behind it IMO.


These fireplaces allow you to select for heat on or pure ambiance mode so that you don't have to waste energy just for the visual effect.

 

[John Connor]

I would go with wood if offered the opportunity. Why? Because I know gas will cost a fortune. My sister and her fiance were using their gas fireplace and the bill was outrages.

If I did have wood I'd make it a Ben Franklin type. That way the heat goes in all directions and not straight up the chimney.