Electric, Gas or Wood Burning: Which Fireplace is Right For You?

Electric, Gas or Wood Burning: Which Fireplace is Right For You?

There’s nothing like curling up in front of an open fire during the colder months and a fireplace also adds a stylish focal point to any room. If you’ve been thinking about investing in a fireplace or stove for your home, then there are many options to choose from.

The three most common types of fireplace are electric, gas and wood burning stoves, and there are several factors to think about to help you make the right choice. You might be looking for maximum convenience, low running costs or the most authentic look, and there are pros and cons to each type of fireplace out there. If you’re struggling to make a decision, see below for our handy guide to electric, gas and wood burning stoves, and see which one is right for you.

Electric

Electric stoves and fireplaces offer flexibility and require minimal maintenance, but their heat output isn’t as strong in comparison to gas or wood fuelled varieties. However, their initial buying costs tend to be much cheaper and they’re very easy to install. They also don’t need regular cleaning and can be plugged in almost anywhere, but they are more expensive to run than their gas counterparts.

Gas

If you’re looking for an authentic fire with a wide range of styles, then a gas fireplace or stove is for you. Gas fires have low running costs (compared to electric fires) and there isn’t the hassle of storing logs for your stove. They also give off a good amount of heat, around three times more than electric fires, and it’s not essential to have a chimney now either. However, installation costs can be high, as any gas fire needs a registered gas safe engineer to carry out the task. You’ll also need to clean your chimney or flue regularly and arrange annual servicing to make sure the appliance is safe.

Wood burning stoves

Wood burning stoves look lovely and provide a cosy focal point for the room with real flames. They also have low running costs and have an energy efficiency rate of between 60% and 80%. They can take up a lot of space however, and you’ll need to make sure you have enough room to store the logs. They can also be tricky to light and you’ll need to stay on top of regular cleaning and maintenance.

If you’re looking for an extensive range of high quality stoves and fireplaces, get in touch with the experts at Fireplace Superstore. We’re proud to stock everything you need, from gas fires to wood burning stoves, fireplace surrounds, hearths, accessories and more. We’ve got something to suit every home, from traditional gas fireplaces to stylish wood burning stoves, plus all the services you need including safety inspections. For more information or to arrange an appointment at our showroom, give us a call today or visit our website.