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If you are considering adding a fireplace to your home, you may be overwhelmed by your options when it comes to the different fuel types. You will find wood-burning, gas, and electric fireplaces in our Fireplace Store at All American Chimney Service, and all of these different types of fireplaces have their own pros and cons. Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of each fuel type can help you decide which kind of fireplace will work the best in your home. We would like to tell you more about wood-burning, gas, and electric fireplaces to help you make the best choice for you and your family.

Wood-Burning

For some people, awood-burning fireplaceis the only choice because they want the sensory experiences that come with a wood fire. Although you may think that a wood-burning fireplace would not be as energy efficient or as clean burning as a gas fireplace, newer technology has allowed wood-burning fireplaces to be approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with efficiency ratings of 75 percent or higher, according to Mother Earth News. However, if you are looking for convenience, you may not be happy with the chores involved with using a wood-burning fireplace. You will have to bring firewood in from outdoor storage and sweep up ashes after each fire.

Gas

If starting a fire by pressing a button on a remote control sounds good to you, a gas fireplace may be the right choice for your home. This type of fireplace requires less maintenance, which makes it easier to enjoy a fire every day during the winter. With efficiency ratings of 80 percent and higher, gas fireplaces burn cleanly and provide a good amount of heat to your home. Even though newer models of gas fireplaces look extremely realistic, you may be disappointed with the aesthetics if you prefer wood fires. You may also want to consider another fuel type if you do not have access to a gas line at your home.

Electric

When you are on a tight budget and need to add supplemental heat to an area of your home, an electric fireplace can be a great choice. This type of fireplace does not require a chimney, so you will not have to add construction costs when installing an electric fireplace. Some models of electric fireplaces are portable, which means you can move the heating appliance from room to room, including your deck or patio. Very easy to use, electric fireplaces simply need to be plugged into an outlet and turned on to get heat. However, the aesthetics may be disappointing to people who love wood fires, and if your power goes out often during winter storms, this type of fireplace may not be the best choice for you.

To learn more about your fireplace options,contactus at All American Chimney Service. Our knowledgeable staff can help you make the best choice for your home.