Aside from enhancing the ambiance of a home, fireplaces are great investments. While a kitchen is often considered the heart of the home, a fireplace can make an ideal gathering place. This is because a fireplace will add both style and value to a home.
Gas fireplaces produce no harmful toxins or smoke
Compared to wood fireplaces, gas hearths produce cleaner air. While carbon monoxide is a byproduct of burning fuel, the presence of nitrogen dioxide in the air makes it a carcinogen. The toxins in carbon monoxide can be deadly to humans.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include dizziness, headache, and nausea. If exposed to the gas for an extended period, carbon monoxide can cause permanent brain damage, loss of muscular coordination, and even death.
Carbon monoxide is a carcinogen that can harm the human nervous system, heart, and brain. Its toxic fumes deprive the body of oxygen. This substance is extremely dangerous and poses a health risk to occupants of residential homes and buildings. The risk of carbon monoxide poisoning increases with cold weather.
By reducing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, gas hearths are a smart choice for many homes. One of the major advantages of gas hearths is their ease of use. They are less expensive than electric hearths and require no wood collection or moving. However, there are still some potential problems and maintenance costs.
A gas hearth with a safety pilot is a good idea, because the sensor will shut the gas off if it gets too cold or too much carbon monoxide builds up. Propane tanks and gas lines must be installed by a licensed contractor. Lastly, homeowners should ensure that the chimney is clean before using the hearth for the first time.
While gas hearths do produce no smoke, they still emit pollutants into the air, which are harmful to human health. In addition to these pollutants, ventless hearths are not as environmentally friendly as wood hearths, which can lead to increased humidity and irritants in your home.
Although gas hearths do not produce clouds of smoke, they still produce carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide, which are the most dangerous of the three. Carbon monoxide is known as the silent killer, but it does not cause any visible symptoms. Regardless of the type of fuel, carbon monoxide builds up in homes that do not properly ventilate their hearths, so the risk of buildup is high.
Since they produce no smoke, gas hearths require little maintenance. They require an annual checkup by a technician, who will check the connections, clean the chimney, and inspect the hearth for debris around the gas log insert. They also check for any residue or materials that can accumulate during normal burning operations. They also check to ensure that the spark ignition is working. If not, they can be used in your home without venting.
Electric fireplaces produce water vapor
The newest models of electric fireplaces feature a water vapor system that uses ultrasonic technology to create a realistic flame illusion. You’ll find that Watson’s discount fireplace selection offers many of these types of products. The water vapor is then reflected off the LED lights and creates an illusion of real flames. Many models even feature a sound unit to add that classic “pop” of a real fire. This is a great way to add style to your living room without burning any wood.
Some of the most popular electric fireplaces are also called ventless fireplaces. Although ventless fireplaces don’t require gas line installations, they still produce combustion gases and smoke, which pose safety issues. In addition to creating carbon monoxide, these units produce large amounts of water vapor.
This increased water vapor can lead to increased humidity levels and even mold growth. This means that these units are not an option for all homes.
Wood-burning fireplaces require a chimney
There are several reasons why wood burning fireplaces need a chimney. While they require more upkeep than gas fireplaces, they have some benefits. These include the classic look, sound, and feel. Adding a wood fire to your home creates the cozy feeling of “Hygge.” And unlike gas fireplaces, they can be installed in almost any climate.
If you have a masonry chimney, you should choose a circular flue with a tile lining. If your home was built before 1900, you likely have an unlined chimney. While a round flue is better than a square or rectangular one, this type of chimney is still not recommended for wood burning. You should also make sure your chimney is clean.
