Heating Options Worth Considering
There are several home heating options available in the market. Selection boils down to personal preference and budget. Nonetheless, knowing what’s on the table is essential to making the right selection. Here are a few heating options worth looking into
Wood fireplaces
The wood fireplace is a timeless heating option that has seen several eras of fireplace designs. The fireplace has low maintenance costs, low operation requirements and high efficiency. It primarily comes in two basic builds; freestanding and inbuilt.
The freestanding wood stove is great for small spaces. The design is simple and consists of a firebox, stovepipe, doors and air vents. Nonetheless, modern stoves have additional fittings like fans to improve heat distribution. The material design of freestanding wood fireplaces ranges from cast iron and soapstone to steel. Cast iron stoves look great and hold heat for longer. However, they are quite expensive. On the other hand, steel stoves heat up faster and allow broad heat distribution.
Inbuilt fireplace
Inbuilt fireplaces are installed into the masonry of the house. The design has a firebox and a rear vent that flows into the chimney. Modern designs also feature blowers that enhance heat distribution.
Wood inserts are factory-built fireplaces fitted into existing masonry to upgrade outdated fireplaces. Installation follows several codes and requires professional input. Nonetheless, the wood inserts offer the efficiency of modern heaters and the unique traditional look of inbuilt fireplaces.
Gas fireplace
A glimpse at the benefits of a gas fireplace may sway a homeowner to make a purchase. The burner offers unmatched convenience and advanced technology. For example, the off/on function is instantaneous and executed with only the press of a button. Moreover, you can enjoy remote functionality, which means you don’t have to leave your sofa to switch on the burner or set the temperature.
Another benefit of gas fireplaces is the low maintenance costs. Unlike most fireplaces, gas burners only need one annual service. Furthermore, there is no cleaning or scrubbing since the fireplace doesn’t produce ash or soot.
On the design front, gas fireplaces offer versatility. The freestanding and inbuilt designs form the basis of the stove, but you can customise double-sided units or landscape designs to match your preference. Moreover, the firebox can house fake wood and pebbles to mimic a wood burner.
If you want to change your existing fireplace into a gas burner, you can fit an insert and start enjoying the benefits. The installation is easy; you only need to seal the existing flue.
The electric fireplace
This option takes out all the hustle of owning a fireplace. It’s efficient, cheap to run, easy to maintain, and convenient. The electric fireplace is fairly new, but its gained popularity quickly.
The fireplace comes with a freestanding and wall-mounted option. It has a heating unit and a display area designed to mimic a wood or gas burner. You can also choose an ambient sound for the fire display. Beyond the design, the electric fireplace offers great performance. The heat output from the burner can cover large spaces, and several heating modes are also available.
Your choice of the best home heating options will ultimately come down to your taste. Nonetheless, now you know what’s available.
