You have pictured yourself sitting in front of the fire on a cold winters evening, warming yourself. You have even considered the practicalities such as the design, installation and cost of it. However whether you are simply replacing your existing fireplace with a new one or adding a much needed focal point to a family room you will need to make an important decision.
Gas Versus Wood Burning Fireplaces
These days there are many types of fireplaces to choose from and you may quite literally be spoilt for choice. You will need to consider the merits of both gas and wood burning fireplaces and decide which type of fireplace is going to work out best for your home.
Gas Fireplaces
A gas fireplace can be operated by the flip of a button, a simple on/off switch from anywhere in the room. It is both easy to operate and convenient in comparison to a wood burning fireplace.
Manufacturers have also improved the design of gas fires to achieve the realistic blaze of burning embers to rival those of a more traditional fire. Ceramic logs and dancing flames give the feel of a wood burning fireplace which can be enjoyed with the advantages of convenience and efficiency of the gas fireplace.
With a gas fireplace there is no need for a chimney, as the fire is installed with an outside vent, which means you have increased flexibility when choosing where it is going to be installed. If you have an existing wood fireplace you have the option to convert to a gas fireplace with the use of fire inserts which may also serve to reduce your energy costs.
Wood Fireplaces
The smell of a wood burning fire and the images it evokes may prove more charming for some. Far from being 'old fashioned' the choices of wood burning fires today are vast.
Fortunately the wood fireplace is now much cleaner and more efficient, designed to produce minimal ash. A firebox in the unit works to trap warm air inside letting oxygen circulate freely whilst trapping cold air outside. This makes for a cleaner fire with less dust and smoke to deal with.
With significant improvements made in the design of gas and wood burning fireplaces, the look and feel of the fireplace you choose to go for is up to you.
Solar Heating For Home
Using the variety of ways of home heating is one of the best ways to cope with the recession that hit more countries including UK, which is expected to pull down more economies within the year. Here are some options of home heating to limit our monthly expenses and benefit those who are in a tight budget, while at the same time improving our environmental track record.
The good old-fashioned method
It wasn't long ago that most homes in the UK were heated only through log-burning fireplaces. If you live in a milder area of the country and are keen to save cash, consider using your fireplace to supplement your central heating system. Increase the amount of heat that your fire gives out by adding fireplace inserts to improve efficiency, and minimise your environmental impact by buying from an urban harvester.
Use a wood stove
More effective than a fireplace due to its design and centralised position, wood stoves can be used as a low-cost method of heating small homes. If you're keen to avoid high installation costs, go for a cheaper option such as a pellet stove.
Consider a radiant heating system
If your goal is to save more money in the long term then think about radiant heating. One of the greenest and most economical systems of home heating on the market, this can save you up to forty per cent on your heating bills once installed. Be aware, however, that the installation process is neither cheap nor hassle free.
Go green
In general, the greenest ways of heating your home are also the cheapest in the long run. Popular green methods include biodiesel heating, ground source heat pumps and solar heating systems. If you're thinking about installing an environmentally friendly heating system then you may be able to request a grant from the government, and you will almost certainly save money in the long run.
Small savers
There are plenty of ways to save on your utilities without changing your heating system altogether. Consider insulating and inserting reflective panels behind your radiators, as well as turning down your thermostat and wearing warmer clothing in the house. You could even consider shopping around for cheaper deals on your utility bills ? check out price comparison websites and review the plans offered by major electricity companies like British Gas.
Both Martin Forrester & Lex7 Braxtor7 are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.