Which is Best: An Electric or Gas Fireplace?

open plan living room with fireplace - XXXXXX-HSL-Gas-or-Electric-Fire

The fireplace is the centre of many of our homes. Not only do they bring a cosy warmth, but they can also make a stylish statement. However, if your home wasn’t built with a traditional fitted fireplace, then installation can be a costly and time-consuming process. Thankfully, modern-day alternatives are a great solution. These can come in the form of a stove, gas or electric fireplace.

If you’re looking for an alternative to a built-in fireplace, then a stove may not be the best option. But, that still leaves two horses in the race! The question of gas or electric is quite the conundrum – and is not as simple as you might think. To help you solve this age-old query, we’ve weighed up the advantages and disadvantages of both.

Electric fireplaces

Did you know that electric fireplaces were invented way back in 1912? However, they only became popular in the 1950’s – making them a newer invention compared to their gas counterpart. The electric fireplace is popular due to its ability to recreate a roaring fire through visual lighting effects, without producing harmful emissions. So if that cosy log fire aesthetic appeals, the electric fire might be the heating solution for you!

Electric fireplaces are usually easy to install too and are a smart alternative for those without a flue or gas line already fitted in their home.

Pros of an Electric Fireplace

Cons of an Electric Fireplace

Gas Fireplaces

The gas fireplace first became popular in the 1900s, providing a fuss-free alternative to traditional wood-burning fireplaces. Gaining notoriety due to their price efficiency and cleanliness – the gas fireplace did away with the smoke and soot that traditional heating filled the atmosphere with. Also, the speed at which a gas fire could alight was much quicker than their wood-burning counterparts.

If you’re lucky enough to have a home with a pre-existing gas line, then you could fit a gas fireplace without any other alterations. In contrast, if your house doesn’t already have these facilities, fitting a gas fireplace can become more complicated.

Pros of a Gas Fireplace

Cons of a Gas Fireplace

Is It Cheaper to run a Gas Fireplace or Electric Heat?

The answer honestly depends on your home setup. If you do not have an existing gas line, then an electric fireplace is possibly a more cost-effective option – due to the cost of installation. However, an electric fire is typically more expensive to run, this is because electricity is a more expensive fuel compared to its gas counterpart.

Which is Better, an Electric or Gas Fireplace?

We think it’s clear to see, they both have their positives and negatives, but can one outdo the other?

When it comes to the debate of gas vs electric, it depends on your home. If your house is already fitted with a gas line, then enjoying the efficient and environmentally-friendly benefits of a gas fireplace would be ideal – not to mention easier to install. On the other hand, if your home is without a pre-existing gas line, then the installation of a gas fireplace could be a costly and inconvenient experience. In this case, a small electric fireplace may be the option for you.

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