8 Ways to Make the Most of Your Gas Fireplace
Although wood burning fireplaces offer a cozy atmosphere, there’s no way of beating the straightforwardness of a gas fireplace. Furthermore, you don’t have to divide the logs, put them in a pile, or move them.
An additional bonus is that there is no ash to collect, no offensive odors, and no required cleaning of the flue. You do not need to continuously monitor or care for the fire, and it won’t go out because of neglect.
A wall thermostat that’s easy to use will adjust the level of flame and amount of warmth produced, helping to keep the temperature in the area at the desired level. A sheet of glass is fixed to prevent heated air from the furnace or boiler in the residence from leaving when it passes through the direct-vent firebox. By using this method, you can save upwards of 75 to 99% of fuel energy in the form of heat, compared to the 10 to 30% that is created with burning wood.
Gas fireplaces can be set up in a lot of places in a house, including bathrooms, basements, and outdoors, without the necessity for a chimney. This is definitely a plus.
Increase The Lifespan Of Your Gas Fireplace
The following are 8 simple tips that you can use to make the most of your fireplace and extend its lifespan:
1. Choose Well
You must take the time to go over all the fireplaces available and identify the one that best meets your requirements before installing it. You should choose gas furnaces based on personal preference and the kinds of rooms they will be used in. It could be self-sufficient, small or even large. This could be added as an outdoor fireplace to make those tranquil autumn evenings even more pleasant.
2. Installing The Furnace
It is essential that a certified installation professional be consulted for the correct installation of the furnace. This means that there is no chance that you will damage the device or put yourself in danger. You can look at the highest rated gas fireplaces in the part at the conclusion of the article.
3. Never Cook With It
Do not make the error of preparing meals with your heating system, even though it may appear logical to you. It is designed to perform only the actions it was designed for and not to be used as an opportunity to practice or demonstrate cooking skills or to make a campfire.
4. Maintenance
Even though you don’t need to worry about ashes accumulating on your gas fireplace, it’s still important to ensure it stays clean. It is required that you wipe away the imitation logs with a gentle fabric in order to take away the soot. Begin the cold season by vacuuming away any accumulated dust.
It is necessary to scrub glass pieces such as the door and the flame guard. Ensure that you do not utilize chemical substances while tidying up. Establish alarms to remind you to phone a cleaning professional to come examine and clean your furnace.
5. Do Not Put Anything Into It
Do not put any designs or decorations on the shelves near the fireplace or on the floor near the mantelpiece. There are numerous flames inside the furnace, and anything put into the furnace will become ignited.
6. Look After Young Ones
Make sure that your kids are not alone near a fireplace. They could lay their hands on the window pane or the remote control. Pay extra attention to make sure they cannot get to it or grab the cup. Be careful to keep your pets away from the fire.
7. Programming
Make sure you can set up your fireplace with a controlling system and use it sometimes. Once you program it, be sure to be aware of when the device turns on and off to ensure it is not using energy unnecessarily, particularly when you are not present or when you are asleep. This will make sure that you are frugal with your money and do not use up gas unnecessarily.
8. Replace The Remote Control’s Batteries
Occasionally, you will need to switch out the batteries in your television remote and the smoke alarm. Be sure to have a backup set of batteries for the remote, even if you don’t use it very often.
Types Of Gas Fireplaces
There are three types of natural gas fireplaces. This includes the log set, insert and built-in fireplaces:
Log Set
The cheapest option is the log set; it’s a gathering of ceramic logs and inside is a gas burner that will fit in an existing fireplace. Drilling must be done to allow for passage of gas and electrical lines in the installation. Some units do not require a vent, while others require a vent that travels up a chimney.
Vented sets require a damper that needs to remain constantly open in order to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning and to ensure that the air inside your home is being circulated up the chimney. Other potential log substitutes are glass, coal, and rocks.
Insert
This is a type of set that is made up of a log-and-burner combination, which is placed inside a small metal container which is itself placed inside a larger metal box that fits into an already existing fireplace. This insert heats the air in the space between the box and gives off warmth from the area where the fire is located. Holes are made to accommodate the gas and power lines. Additionally, gas fireplaces can come with a solid pane of glass protecting the flames or be ventless, shielded with metal grilles and glass.
Built-In
These furnaces have an insert design featuring a two-box frame with a metal container inside. These embedded systems don’t necessitate an existing fireplace or stovepipe. Glass panels on vented units exchange air and release it outside through wall openings. A vent-free option has an intake of air that is released into the room and a barrier that is either a metal mesh or a glass pane which is stationary.
Are Gas Fireplace Inserts Worth It?
Fireplaces that have been updated with inserts provide a more effective way to provide heat than traditional fireplaces. Fireplace inserts with a closed combustion system can achieve an efficiency rating of 60 to 80%, and they can burn a variety of fuels.
Which Is Better Gas Or Wood Fireplace?
A gas fireplace is cost-friendly to operate since natural gas is a cost-effective source of energy. Wood burning fireplaces let out more heat up the chimney than gas ones do. It is estimated that around 60 percent of the heat generated from electric fireplaces escapes out the chimney.
Living Room Fireplace Ideas – 14 Ways to Create a Focal Point
1. Fake it with a facing and accent color.
If you do not possess a hearth, you may be able to buy a surround from either Screwfix or B&Q and make a statement with a vivid accent color. Using some bold colored paint, string lights, pictures, and candles, you can counterfeit the illusion of a fireplace even though there is no actual fire burning.
This is a cost-effective approach to making a fake fireplace that would only set you back around £200. It’s a simple technique to enhance the layout of a living room. The mantlepiece provides ample opportunity to make seasonal changes in home decor.
2. Source a second-hand fireplace.
Why not restore an old fireplace? Keep a close watch through Facebook Marketplace and Freecycle, and you may be able to find a free item. All you will need is a bit of your time, some paint, and some do-it-yourself tools.
In an interview with Ideal Home, ex-Girls Aloud vocalist Kimberley Walsh expressed amazement at how simple the DIY project had been. She obtained a second-hand item from a flea market and brought it back to life, reconstructing the decorations and remodeling some components, followed by cleansing, abrading and reapplying a coat of paint.
She admits that initially she felt there was no chance she could make it attractive, however when she tried it wasn’t as difficult as she originally assumed. If you don’t know how to do something, the internet is full of helpful tutorials. We have the fireplace in our primary living space because it’s a wonderful Victorian room with high ceilings, unfortunately they replaced the original so the current option doesn’t do it justice.
3. Make it center-stage and conceal the TV.
A chimney breast of considerable width, a white artistic piece and a dark paint job create a powerful visual impact, and the television set almost appears to vanish. Jenna and Mariana from Interior Fox believe that having a centerpiece with a certain level of height and visual mass is the best way to form a focal point, regardless of whether you like to display a TV or artwork above your fireplace. Sometimes, we have available areas around the fireplace, so take advantage of these spots by installing built-in shelves or bookcases. It is important for a fireplace to be centered for the best look, so if you don’t have a mantel, you can still make one using tiles, piles of books, and/or greenery.
4. Opt for a textural look.
This fireplace gives off a bohemian vibe with plenty of natural material, and when lit, it will undoubtedly give off a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The wooden walls are adorned with paint, there are marble surfaces, natural candlebases made from wood, a sculpture of Buddha in stone, ornamental pots made from ceramic, and a beaded light fixture. These tactile materials have been expertly overlaid on what probably was an unadorned and normal marble fireplace and hearth.
5. Add a touch of royalcore.
Make your normal fireplace have a more regal feel by getting ideas from the Bridgerton show’s regal-style interior design. Light blue walls, ornate mirrors with gold frames, artwork, customized wall treatments, as well as a combination of classic and modern furniture and decor will give a fireplace a contemporary makeover.
6. Make a statement with a modern design.
Generate excitement with a modern, electric fireplace as part of your open-concept living area concepts. The fire coming out of the wall in this spot visually marks a separation between two different areas, yet it also provides a lively ambiance perfect for enjoying company or socializing.
7. Update the chimney breast with geometric tiles.
Put some individual flair and a French bistro aesthetic into your home with some of these monochromatic tiles from Walls and Floors. The finish on them is a delicate matte, and they can be placed in different styles – be it the checkerboard or what you think of.
8. Embrace symmetry.
If you wish to make your living room into a restful area for relaxation, consider incorporating symmetry in your plans for the living room fireplace. Place wood on either side of the fireplace in an orderly pattern, group together candles and put plants and decorations in a visually pleasing way that creates a feeling of evenness.
9. Make a statement with color blocking.
Color lovers, don’t neglect your fireplace! This is an excellent time to add a bit of excitement with vivid shades of green, yellow, and pink, made even more sensational when paired with a patterned carpet. Giving something a new coat of paint can be an effective way to make a change without breaking the bank.
10. Arrange furniture to embrace the fire.
Moving your furniture around so that essential items are pointed toward the fireplace is a great way to draw attention to the fire without having to pay anything. Sally Denning, Interiors Stylist at @Blackshorestyle, suggests setting up your furniture around the fireplace instead of away from it. You don’t need to completely alter your position on the TV, however, a few minor changes and rearranging furniture will guarantee the fireplace is emphasized.
11. Style a mantel like a pro.
Interior designer Nicki Bamford-Bowes has stated that having lamps of the same design placed symmetrically on either side of a mantel can create a very formal atmosphere. Large areas such as a dining room or a grand hallway are wonderful in these places. In a living room, to have a comfier atmosphere, I’d suggest an asymmetrical mantel and put up decorations like vases, artwork, seasonal plants, and lots of candles for a romantic and warm effect.
12. Make a feature of a chimney breast wall.
Ruth Mottershead, Creative Director of Little Greene, proposes experimenting with a different color when painting the fireplace compared to the walls, wallpapering the entire surface except the area around the chimney. Choosing to paint the walls from the floor to the ceiling with a single color, while leaving the fireplace and any decorative tiles to be the focal point of the room.
13. Keep it simple for a contemporary design.
Declan Kingsley-Walsh, Managing Director of Morsø UK, suggests that the inset stove gives the effect of looking through a ‘window of fire’. Try to keep the decorations to a minimum in order to keep the focus on the fireplace.
This particular style of fireplace can be applied in both contemporary and traditional living rooms. It is a fantastic choice for those working with a small space because it doesn’t steal too much attention.
14. Make a modern fireplace the focal point.
In a contemporary layout embrace the freedom to upsize. Create a massive impression with a large fireplace design in your contemporary living room decor.
Stoves with larger, wider glass panels let you really appreciate the beauty of a burning log and this contrasts with older, more traditional designs.
