gas
Pros
- Cleaner than wood
- Easier than wood - simply flip a switch
- More flexibility in installation
- More control over heat output and flame height
- Can be used to supplement the furnace to heat home, reduce heating bills
- Energy-saving IntelliFire ignition system
Cons
- Doesn't create the same smell and sound as a wood fireplace
- Can't tend to the fire
gas direct vent
Pros
- Can be installed virtually anywhere in the house
- Air-tight construction eliminates air quality concerns in home
- Maintains indoor air quality
- Many direct vent products are efficient enough to be listed as furnaces
- Eliminates the need for a chimney and chase - less expensive installation
- More flexibility in installation such as under windows or as a room divider
- Instant ambiance with the touch of a button
- More authentic look due to sealed combustion chamber, allows for flame-out-of-logs
- 100% of combustion air comes from outside the home and 100% of the exhaust is expelled outside the home - direct vents do not interfere with indoor air quality - doesn't use already heated room air for combustion air
Cons
- No "direct" access to the flames due to sealed combustion fireplace
gas b-vent/top vent
Pros
- Ease and convenience of gas fireplaces
Cons
- Potential backdraft of combustion gases depending on home's indoor air pressure
- Uses already heated room air as combustion air
- Less efficient than direct vent units
gas unvented / room-vented
Pros
- Less involved installation
- Potential to be installed in many places, BUT must follow room sizing requirements (typical unvented fireplace requires 96' x 20' room)
- Very efficient in burning of gas, but uses heated room air for combustion
Cons
- Air quality issues/health concerns
- Typical sizing guidelines for an average fireplace size (30,000 BTU's) require a 96' x 20' soom size - or 1,920 sq. ft. to safely accommodate unvented products
- Illegal in many states and municipalities
- A typical (unvented) natural gas stove or fireplace releases a gallon of water vapor every 2 to 3 hours of operation - potentially causing mildew issues*
- May require more service to ensure dust, pet hair, and other chemicals are not interfering with the unit
- For safety reasons cannot be run for extended perios of time
- Requres permanent fixed opening to the outside for proper room ventilation
*Wardell, Charles. "A Heated Debate." Popular Science March 2000:79-81
gas log sets
Pros
- Instant Ambience
- Utilizes existing masonry fireplace
- Ideal for warmer climates where extra heat is unnecessary
- Current technology allows better logs and flames than in past
- Burns clean
- Easy to use
- No ashes to clean
Cons
- Less efficient use of fuel vs. fireplace
- Little or no heating capability
- Opportunity for products of combustion to enter hom ein negative pressure situation
- Relatively expensive to operate vs. gas fireplace or insert
wood
Pros
- Aesthetics of the fire - smell, cracking sound, glow
- The experience of chopping wood and actually building a fire
- Firewood is more readily available in some areas
- Can be used to supplement the furnace to heat home, reduce heating bills
Cons
- Cleaning the fireplace, hauling ashes, sooting
- Cost of wood is greater than gas in most areas and is rising
- Requires a chimney, chase, footings, ets.
- May cause odors and particulatesin the air
- Requires continuous maintenance to keep fire burning
- Peaks and valleys in heat output
pellet
Pros
- Clean burning
- Allows extended burn times
- Can be mixed 50/50 with corn
- Easy to store
- Pellets are readily available, found in most hardware stores
- Some pellet appliances are self-lighting and run off a room thermostat
Cons
- Pellet appliances are usually more expensive than wood
- Consumers can't get "free" pellets like they can wood
- Pellet appliances require electricity to operate
- Pellet appliances historically require the most service and maintenance
non-vented (electric)
Pros
- Easiest fireplace product to install - just plug it in
- Portable
- Convenient
- Can be "installed" by anyone, no training required
- Ideal for apartments, condominiums, lobbies, ets.
Cons
- Not as realistic looking
- Lower heat output
