Thinking About Installing a Gas Fireplace Ask Yourself These Five Questions

Ensure you get the perfect fireplace for your home.

If you’re dreaming about adding a gas fireplace to your home, you’re not alone. Gas fireplaces are tremendously popular because they create ambiance and warmth with the flip of a wall switch or remote control. They are both convenient and beautiful.

Purchasing a fireplace is not something we do every day, so you may have questions. It’s smart to do your research. Whether you are adding a fireplace to an existing home or having one installed in a newly constructed a new home, our experts suggest that you consider these important questions…

• What style of fireplace do you want? Whether you prefer traditional decor or sleek modern designs, there’s a fireplace that will perfectly complement your home’s interior design. If you gravitate toward traditional design, there are many fireplace models from which to choose. An example from Heatilator is the Heirloom Series. All Heatilator gas fireplaces feature beautiful flames, embers and realistic logs.

Today there are also many choices for contemporary styled fireplaces. Inspired by our friends across the pond in Europe, many feature linear flames that flicker in unison, materials like black onyx, and panoramic viewing angles of the fire. Placement is also being redefined, as modern style fireplaces are often positioned at a higher level on the wall, similar to that of a piece of art. Heatilator has many models to choose from, including the Rave and Crave Series.

• What are your heating efficiency requirements? Did you know a gas fireplace or fireplace insert can help reduce your heating costs? Similar to the premise of a hybrid car, you can turn down your home’s thermostat and zone heat the rooms you use most with an efficient gas fireplace. It cuts down on the fuel consumed by your furnace and can help to reduce home heating bills by 20 to 40 percent, according to the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association.
• Do you want a direct vented or unvented gas fireplace? Gas fireplaces can be direct vented or unvented. Direct vent fireplaces have sealed combustion systems that protect indoor air quality by drawing outside air for the fire and expelling 100 percent of combustion exhaust and by-products outside the home. In contrast, unvented (a.k.a. vent-free or ventless) fireplaces lack sealed combustion or venting systems, drawing indoor air and oxygen for the fire, while expelling exhaust and byproducts into the home. While unvented units are legal in certain areas of the U.S., some hearth manufacturers, remodelers and hearth retailers do not sell them.
• What is your budget? There are various price points for gas fireplaces – from basic units that are economical and functional, to premium models with all the bells and whistles. On the Heatilator web site, under “Products” you can enter various search criteria, including Price Range and see all the options.
• What is the return on investment? If you care about the ROI of your home improvement projects, you’ll be happy to know that fireplaces pay off. Also, according to the Residential Cost Handbook, a gas fireplace has the potential to add an average of $5,900 to the value of a home. Therefore when it comes time to sell, homes with gas fireplaces have an advantage.

Most people agree that a fireplace makes a house feel more like a home. Ask yourself these questions and then visit a hearth dealer that carried Heatilator to learn more.

Have fun shopping for your perfect gas fireplace!