Can You Replace A Gas Heater With A Gas Fireplace?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Can you replace a gas heater with a gas fireplace? It is a low-cost option to install a gas fireplace rather than to replace your existing masonry fireplace to get better heating efficiency . A good insert installation will last for years and is considered permanent because the liner and all the hardware supporting it is corrosion-resistant stainless steel.

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Is it better to use gas fireplace or heater?

A modern furnace is more efficient in turning gas into heat than a gas fireplace . This means that although a furnace costs more to run per hour than a gas fireplace, it turns more of that energy into heat and can warm a whole house rather than a single room.

Is it cheaper to run a gas fireplace or gas heat?

Zone Heating with Gas Fireplaces

Operating a furnace for one hour at 75,000 -100,000 Btu cost a homeowner $1.12 – $1.49 based on last month’s national average natural gas rate. By comparison, a natural gas fireplace running at 30,000 Btu per hour cost only 45 cents.

Is a gas fireplace more efficient than a gas furnace?

Can I add a gas fireplace to my house?

Direct vent gas fireplaces can be installed almost anywhere in in a home where natural gas or liquid propane is available . Installation is flexible due to zero clearance construction, which requires minimal space between the fireplace and wallboard or wood (combustible materials).

Can you run a gas fireplace all day?

You can run a vented gas fireplace all day with little concern for anything other than gas usage.

Is a gas fireplace worth it?

A gas fireplace offers a range of benefits over burning wood in your home, including the ability to instantly turn on, control and turn of the heat from the fire. The advantages of having gas fireplace can outweigh the disadvantages in many scenarios, making a gas fireplace a worthwhile investment for your home .

What is the cheapest way to heat a home?

  1. Toilet.
  2. Stove.
  3. Solar.
  4. Heating.
  5. Heaters.
  6. Energy Efficiency.
  7. Electric Fireplace.
  8. Cooling.

How much does it cost to run a gas fireplace in 2021?

A standard 20,000 BTU gas fireplace will use about 20 cubic feet of natural gas per hour. Given that price of natural gas is about $1.09 per 100 cubic feet, running a standard-sized gas fireplace will cost about $0.22/hour at 100% heating output. In short: Gas fireplaces are quite inexpensive to run.

Is it OK to leave a gas fireplace on overnight?

An overall rule for safe gas fireplace usage is to not let your fireplace—no matter which style—operate throughout the night . Unmonitored gas fireplaces can lead to dangerous, often fatal, outcomes. The two most concerning outcomes of leaving a gas fireplace on for too long are a house fire or a gas leak.

Which is better ventless or vented gas fireplace?

Ventless fireplaces are more energy efficient than vented fireplaces because no heat escapes up the flue, so you’ll save money on gas utility bills. A vented gas fireplace uses more gas to create the same level of warmth because some of its heat escapes through the flue.

Do gas fireplaces use a lot of energy?

An average 40,000BTU gas fireplace on full heat will use approximately 10 Therms of energy per day . Depending on the age of a gas fireplace and its maximum heat output, a gas fireplace can use a relatively large amounts of gas if used at max settings for a number of hours per day.

Can I have a gas fireplace without a chimney?

You can install a gas fireplace without a chimney if you have either a ventless gas fireplace or you install a venting system . For gas fireplaces that need a vent, a direct vent system is widely suggested. Direct vents can be installed either vertically through the roof, or horizontally through the wall.

Does a gas fireplace require a chimney?

Most gas fireplaces in the form of direct vent and ventless gas fireplaces can be installed in a home without a chimney, but natural vent gas fireplaces will need a chimney . Whether a gas fireplace needs a chimney or not will depend on the type of gas fireplace.

Can you put a fireplace in an existing house?

Be assured that it is possible to add a fireplace to an existing home . You’ll just need to determine which one will work best. Get familiar with your area’s building codes to check requirements such as minimum clearances around vent pipes and limits on fireplace emissions.

Will a gas fireplace work during a power outage?

Gas & wood fireplaces will continue to work safely during a power outage . These fireplaces do not require electricity for venting and can be used safely during a power outage.

Can you get carbon monoxide poisoning from a gas fireplace?

Yes, gas fireplaces are one potential cause of carbon monoxide poisoning . While there are many potential sources of such exposure, including certain appliances and devices, motor vehicles and wood stoves, gas fireplaces are a common culprit.

Should gas fireplace be turned off in summer?

Perks of Turning Off Your Gas Fireplace

A little heat is produced when your pilot light is on so turning it off in summer can help reduce the heat inside your home . The less heat there is, the less you have to use your air conditioner needs to cool down the house.

How much does it cost to install a gas fireplace in existing house?

Typically speaking, those looking to budget for a gas fireplace installation should plan to spend anywhere from $2,500 to $10,000 for all costs.

What are the pros and cons of a gas fireplace?

  • Cheaper than electric fireplaces. Not only are electric ones purely made for decoration, but also you’re paying extra for only a simulation of a fire, i.e. there’s no heat to the flame. ...
  • Fewer safety risks. ...
  • Easier to hire a professional for. ...
  • Convenient to use. ...
  • Cleaner air.

How much would it cost to put in a gas fireplace?

The average cost to install a gas fireplace is about $4,500 with average prices ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 in the US for 2020 according to Thumbtack.

Is it cheaper to heat with gas or electric 2021?

Nearly half of U.S. households heat their homes with natural gas, and they will pay 30% more on average this winter, while homes warmed with electricity will pay 6% more , according to the Energy Information Administration’s “Winter Fuels Outlook.” It will cost $746 on average to heat homes with natural gas this winter, ...

What is the best heating system for an old house?

Heat pumps —air source and geothermal heating pumps

In most cases, heat pumps are the most efficient way to heat your older home. They work by transferring heat from outside your home to the inside of your home and they also double as an air conditioning system in the warmer months—a win-win.

How can I heat my house without a furnace?

  1. Seal all doors and windows using masking tape, weather stripping or window-caulk. ...
  2. Change your curtains. ...
  3. Insulate the walls too. ...
  4. Try cooking. ...
  5. Boil water. ...
  6. Put your fireplace to good use.

Do gas fireplaces heat a room?

Gas fireplaces are an efficient type of fireplace that are typically good at providing heat for the room in which they are located , and can be much more efficient and produce more heat compared to the existing masonry fireplace they replace.

What brand of gas fireplace is the best?

  • BEST OVERALL: Napoleon Grandville VF Series GVF36-2N 37′′ Vent Free.
  • BEST FLEXIBILITY: Empire Loft Series DVL25 Fireplace Insert.
  • BEST DUAL FUEL: Superior DRI2000 Gas Fireplace Insert.
  • BEST DIRECT VENT: Empire Tahoe Deluxe 36′′ Direct-Vent NG Millivolt.
  • MOST VERSATILE: Ashley Hearth Products 34,000 BTU Vent Free Firebox.

What is the most efficient gas fireplace?

Ventless gas fireplaces are typically the most efficient from of gas fireplace. Ventless gas fireplaces don’t have any form of external ventilation and so the fuel must be burnt cleanly enough in order to be able to safely put waste air back into the room.

How many hours can you run a gas fireplace?

In general, you should not run an unvented fireplace for more than three hours at a time. If you are using natural gas, you can usually run your fireplace for up to four hours before needing to refuel. If you are using propane, the limit is typically two hours.

How long do gas fireplaces last?

Are ventless fireplaces safe?

Ventless fireplaces produce small amounts of nitrous dioxide and carbon monoxide which can be deadly in large doses . The CDC warns against exposure of any level of carbon monoxide, stating that up to 500 people die per year due to accidental carbon monoxide poisoning.

Why are ventless fireplaces illegal?

Ventless fireplaces are often restricted or illegal because of safety concerns, specifically due to the fact that they might introduce noxious combustion by-products into your home’s air supply .

What states allow vent free fireplaces?

Can a ventless fireplace make you sick?

One of the greatest risks of using a ventless fireplace is that of carbon monoxide poisoning , which can be deadly inside your home. Specifically, carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas that, in high enough concentrations, can lead to serious health problems such as: nausea. dizziness.

What is the difference between a gas insert and a gas fireplace?

Gas fireplaces are very similar to gas inserts. They are made the same way, with the box-within-a-box setup. However, the difference between gas fireplaces vs. gas inserts is that a built-in gas fireplace doesn’t require an existing fireplace or chimney .

What is a fireplace without a chimney called?

Updated March 10, 2017. Ventless fireplaces are exactly what their name makes them out to be: natural gas or propane fireplaces that don’t require a chimney in order to run. For many homeowners this is exactly the product they’ve been looking before.

How do you vent a gas fireplace without a chimney?

If you don’t have a chimney, a natural vent system can also use a pipe venting system, which is typically installed through the roof . Here, you can get around having to use a brick and mortar chimney to rid the home of fumes and use a pipe system instead.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.