There is nothing more satisfying than sitting in your beautiful log home enjoying the warmth of a wood-burning fireplace. But many homeowners do not understand that the best source of heat in a log home is the fireplace and the gas insert can make heating that fire easier to maintain. It is the gas insert that provides that consistent, hot temperature throughout the room that makes the experience so enjoyable. However, many homeowners may not understand that there is a huge difference in quality of gas inserts over traditional wood-burning fireplaces.

What Makes Gas-Insert Fireplace Special?

a. Its size and construction

While most gas insert fireplaces have a similar look and feel with the wood-burning fireplace look, they are constructed differently. One obvious difference is in size. A traditional gas fireplace is often much larger than a wood-burning insert; a traditional gas fireplace is often made of cast iron, while most wood-burning inserts are made of stainless steel or aluminum.

The size and shape of the gas insert are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to features and benefits. There are many additional benefits and options that you as a homeowner will enjoy. For example, if you want the fireplace to look as good as possible then you can choose a gas fireplace with a stained glass chimney. This type of look will not only increase the beauty of the room, but it will also add value to the home should you decide to sell it.

b. It source of fire

Another difference is in style. Most gas inserts use propane or natural gas to heat the room. There is no need to purchase an expensive tank of fuel. However, some models do require a storage tank that needs to be filled periodically. The design and appearance of the insert will also determine the amount of money that you will have to pay in monthly heating costs. A well-designed gas insert can cost up to $500, whereas most wood-burning inserts can be purchased for around $100.

c. It is more easy to produce heat

If you prefer a wood-burning fireplace in your home, then you may also enjoy the convenience and warmth that comes from using a wood fire. However, there are many problems that come with using wood for heating a room. One of the main problems is that they get very hot and smokey. In addition, the wood has to be specially prepared and stored in order to prevent it from burning out. As a result, the cost of a wood fireplace can be quite high and many homeowners are turning to gas inserts in order to decrease the costs associated with maintaining their wood fireplace.

d. Easier for cleaning

Perhaps the biggest benefit of using a gas insert is that it is cleaner than a wood-burning fireplace. Wood is a much larger and more flammable product. Also, the ashes produced by a wood fire can contain harmful chemicals that can affect the air quality in your home. With a gas insert, however, all of the ash is burned away and the heat is evenly distributed throughout the room. This reduces the amount of dust and fumes emitted from a fireplace and can allow you to use your heating system more often because the air quality in the home is not negatively affected.

The fourth major difference between these types of products is convenience. When you are looking at all of the ways that a gas insert can improve the comfort and functionality of your home, this is definitely one area where they clearly win over wood. Many people simply do not have the time or the desire to burn logs in their fireplaces. If these devices are installed and used, you can enjoy the heat from your device without having to wait for the wood to catch, arrange it into a pile, and start lighting. This can be very helpful for those homes where there is no traditional fireplace, such as apartments, condos, and mobile homes.

e. More affordable 

Another benefit of using gas inserts is the price. Natural gas has been less expensive than traditional fuel sources such as propane and natural gas over the past several years. However, if you have a wood fireplace or a fireplace that operates on an open flame, then you will see a significant increase in your heating costs. However, gas inserts are usually only a couple of dollars per month more than the cost of wood.