We know how the running and maintenance costs can escalate when it comes to beating the cold season. You’ll no doubt want to find the most cost-effective and efficient way of doing it. So here’s a guide to help you figure out which option works best for you: gas, wood or electric.
Gas Fireplace
Pros:
- Lower costs of running the heater. Gas is significantly cheaper than electricity.
- 90% heating efficiency with three times more heat output than electric heating.
Cons:
- You need a professional engineer to install it, which bumps up the cost of installation significantly.
- You will need an annual service conducted by a professional gas engineer to ensure that your gas heater is safe to use.
- There is a risk of carbon monoxide leaks, so you must always install a detector.
- Except for flueless heaters, you will need to get your chimney cleaned out at least once a year.
Overall: Cheaper to buy but costs more in installation and maintenance.
Wood Fireplace
Pros:
- Look just like a real outdoor fire, so they give an aesthetically pleasing overall look.
- Wood-burning heaters have about 60 to 80% efficiency, which means they won’t lose too much heat.
- They cost less to run than gas and electric heaters, particularly if you use good logs.
- Unlike gas and electric heaters, you don’t have to worry about the rising energy costs.
- Lower cost of maintenance and wood is cheaper to buy than paying for electricity or gas.
Cons:
- Wood burners are more expensive when you initially buy the unit compared to buying gas or electric heaters.
- You will need a trained professional to install the wood heater to avoid safety issues.
- Requires scheduled cleaning to keep your chimney clean.
Overall: Wood-burning heaters add a cosy aesthetic and are cheaper to run but more expensive on the outset.
Electric Fireplace
Pros:
- Prices for electric heating units are relatively low compared to gas and electric heaters.
- Electric heaters are easy to install; you can follow the installation instructions even without professional help in many cases.
- Electric fires are the most efficient. They expel 100% of the heat they generate, which means the unit doesn’t lose any heat to the environment.
- Electric heaters don’t need any servicing.
- The flame burns clean so that you won’t need a scheduled cleaning.
Cons:
- Running the unit can be very expensive since it uses electricity.
- It lacks the picture-perfect fireplace appearance.
- Electric heaters are often limited to 2kw fires, so they don’t burn as hot as the other fuels.
Overall: Cheaper to buy and install but more expensive to run.
Choosing the right heater
There’s no right or wrong choice; simply compare the parameters based on your personal preferences. For instance, if you don’t want to worry about cleaning and maintenance costs, electric heaters may work best for you.
Whichever option you decide, remember to buy only from trusted suppliers to ensure your heater works perfectly. Check out Sydney Heaters to get the best quality heaters.
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