If you’ve ever owned a wood-burning fireplace, then you know how much beauty and elegance it can add to your living room, but you also know how much of a hassle they are to maintain.
If you’re tired of the upkeep that goes with owning a wood fireplace, or if you’ve always wanted a fireplace, but aren’t sure wood is right for you, then contact KC’s 23 ½ Hour Plumbing & Air Conditioning to find out if a gas log fireplace is what you’re looking for.
You can count on us for all of your heater repair needs.
Benefits of a Gas Log Fireplace Installation
While traditional wood-burning fireplaces conjure up images of romance, elegance, and antiquity, the truth is that they’re a pain to maintain and can be dangerous if you’re not careful. However, today you can get many of the benefits of a wood-burning fireplace without the drawbacks if you go with gas. Here are a few benefits to choosing a gas log fireplace.
They’re Realistic
One reason many people hesitate to install gas fireplaces is that they think they look cheap, fake, or not as authentic as wood fireplaces. While that may have been valid years ago, today’s gas log fireplaces look nearly identical to their traditional counterparts. Gas logs now come in a variety of wood types, including oak, aspen, and birch.
Gas Logs Save Time & Money
Another issue homeowners with wood fireplaces deal with is the expense that comes with it. When you factor in the cost of wood and the time spent in maintaining a wood fireplace, and the cost of wood, you quickly realize that the beauty it adds to your home isn’t always worth the price. Natural gas is relatively inexpensive right now, which makes a gas log fireplace a more economical investment than wood. If you want the beauty of a wood fireplace but are concerned about your budget, definitely consider going with gas.
Gas Fireplaces are Eco-Friendly
Another benefit to using a gas log fireplace is that they’re better for the environment because gas logs produce fewer emissions when burning natural gas or propane. Wood burning fireplaces, on the other hand, produce more carbon dioxide than gas, oil, or even coal to give you the same amount of heat. If you’re concerned about the environment and want to lower your carbon footprint, a gas log fireplace is the right choice.
Gas Log Fireplaces are Safer than Wood
It’s easy to look at wood burning fireplaces through rose colored glasses because they’re so beautiful and traditional; however, what people fail to think about are many potential dangers that come with these heating methods. Even if you use a fire screen, it’s not always a guarantee that it’s going to keep your children or pets safe from fire hazards.
Also, fire screens don’t reduce the amount of smoke that can be caused when using a wood burning fireplace. Lastly, when you use a wood fireplace, there’s always the risk of fire, especially if you ignore routine maintenance like cleaning out the buildup of creosote in your chimney. When you switch to a gas log fireplace, you eliminate these risks and still get the same benefits of having a fireplace in the house.
Gas Log Fireplaces are Simple To Operate
One of the most significant benefits to using a gas log fireplace is how simple they are to use. There’s no hassle to get a fire started; most systems light with the push of a button. Also, they’re much easier to maintain than wood burning fireplaces because you don’t have to constantly worry about cleaning out the fireplace or the chimney.
To find out if a gas log fireplace installation is a good fit for your Palm Springs home, call one of our experts for a consultation.
Signs You May Need Gas Log Fireplace Repair
While we’ve spent the previous section discussing the many benefits of installing a gas log fireplace, it should be noted that no system is perfect, and while safer than wood burning fireplaces, sometimes your gas fireplace will develop issues that require the help of a trained technician to fix. Here are the most common things to watch out for if you own a gas log fireplace and to call a professional to keep you and your family safe.
Pilot Light Issues
Much like a gas furnace, your gas log fireplace has a pilot light built in, and while your system’s user’s manual should have instructions on how to troubleshoot pilot light problems, eventually you should have the problem looked at by a trained pro to ensure everything is working properly.
The Odor of Natural Gas
If you smell sulfur or the odor of rotten eggs, then it’s a dangerous situation that requires immediate action because it means there’s a gas leak. If you suspect that you have a gas leak, don’t try and fix it yourself, instead, get out of the house as quickly as possible and call for professional assistance.
Excessive Soot
Although gas log fireplaces are easier to clean and maintain than wood, if you notice that there’s an excessive buildup of soot, it means there’s a problem, especially if you see soot on the glass doors. Excessive soot could mean that you have issues with the logs, the interior of the fireplace, the outside venting, or a combination. If you have excessive soot building up, call a pro for an inspection and repair.
Continuous Switching On & Off
One of the most frustrating problems you might encounter with a gas log fireplace is if the system continuously turns on and off. This reason can be challenging to diagnose, which is why it’s best left to a professional.
You can count on KC’s 23 ½ Hour Plumbing & Air Conditioning for 24 hour heating repair. Contact us anytime!
About Us
Since opening its doors in 1978, KC’s 23 ½ Hour Plumbing & Air Conditioning quickly became the go-to plumbing and HVAC contractor in Palm Springs and beyond because of the trust we’ve built with our customers and with our community. We go out of our way to deliver award-winning customer service by involving them in every step of the process so they’re informed and can make the best decisions for their property. Also, we’re not happy until you are, and we provide a 100% satisfaction guarantee on our work, and offer industry leading warranties so you can rest easy knowing that your new system installation will work reliably for years to come.
