Wood Vs. Pellet Vs. Propane Fireplaces

Identification

• Wood fireplaces are relatively straightforward: wood is placed in the fireplace and lit, the flames heat the home and the smoke goes up through the chimney and out of the house. Pellet fireplaces are similar, as they work in the same manner but use pellets (which may be wood, corn and the like) as a source for the fire rather than logs. A propane fireplace works in the same manner but uses propane as a source rather than wood or pellets. Propane fireplaces may either be vented or ventless as some models do not require a chimney to function properly.

Pros and Cons of Wood Fireplaces

• Wood fireplaces can be very appealing as they provide the smell of real wood burning, the crackling sound of the fireplace and the authentic dance of the flames. They can also be used to supplement heat to cut down on home heating costs. However, a wood fireplace requires chopping wood and physically building the fire; there is no on and off switch. The ashes must also be cleaned from the fireplace on a regular basis. Furthermore, though wood is inexpensive to purchase, it can take up a large amount of space for storage.

Pros and Cons of Pellet Fireplaces

• The pellets used in a pellet fireplace are easier to store than both a propane tank or a pile of chopped wood. These pellets often burn longer than wood logs, and the pellets are often a renewable source of energy, especially if corn pellets are used. However, pellet fireplaces can cost more upfront for the purchase of the fireplace and installation. Furthermore, some pellet fireplace models may require electricity to start and stop the flames.

Pros and Cons of Propane Fireplaces

• Propane fireplaces are known for being cleaner as there is no ash to clean up and there are no smoke fumes either. Propane fireplaces can also be ventless, meaning they can be installed in a home that does not have a chimney. These fireplaces are also more easily controlled in terms of the flame size and the amount of heat produced. However, some propane fireplaces require electricity to start or stop the flame, making them unusable in a power outage. Propane fireplaces also do not produce the crackling sound of a real fire.