Increasingly, people are looking for ways to save on their heating bills. The high cost of fuel continues to drive interest in considering alternative means of staying warm without spending too much money. One way is to install a fireplace and introduce zone heating into your home. The Main Principle The main principle behind this method of reducing energy cost is rather simple. You install a device or apparatus that divides the rooms into zones. You then proceed to heat only those rooms you plan to use. It makes practical sense not to heat an entire home when you are not using every room. While it is possible to install a device that can regulate your furnace and direct it to heat only specific spaces, a simple, effective and very energy efficient means of implementing zone heating is to install a fireplace. This is easy, and the choices are varied. They include: Gas Fireplaces Wood Fireplaces Fireplace Inserts for both gas and wood By installing any of these options, you can easily reduce heating costs without layering on clothing. Direct Warmth The decision to put in a fireplace results in making your home more comfortable. Fireplaces are excellent zone heaters. They direct warmth immediately right into the space you want to heat. As a result, the room achieves the desired level of warmth while reducing the reliance on the furnace. In fact, fireplaces are excellent replacements for furnaces during those in-between months such as late spring and early fall. Zone Heating: Lowering Costs NOT the Comfort Level If you find yourself questioning the wisdom of heating your home using traditional methods, perhaps it is time for a change. Why not consider zone heating? By adapting this approach, you can not only save energy but also lower your heating costs. At the same time, you will not have to give up your creature...

The traditional gas fireplace is something that you can implement into one or more of the rooms of your home to provide not only a pleasant source of heat and warmth, but also wonderful the core can elevate the interior design aspect of your room. These fireplaces are ideal to use on a nightly basis when the weather begins to cool down in the fall and winter. When we speak here of a ‘traditional’ fireplace powered by gas, were not speaking of the old-fashioned wood-burning fireplaces that dispelled smoke and soot for you to clean up afterward. We’re talking about fireplaces that could offer you a traditional to court appearance and do even a better job than the old type fireplaces in terms of heat efficiency. These fireplaces can use either liquid propane or natural gas as fuel and heat sizable portions of your home, enabling you to minimize the use of your central furnace heating system. Traditional Gas Fireplace Options You may have the choice between an unvented and direct vented gas fireplace. The unvented variety utilizes the air in the inside of your home to create the burning and heat. These are places do not vent exhaust to the outside air. The direct vented variety uses a sealed combustion system that keeps the indoor air quality clean by utilizing the outside air. Purchasing a Traditional Gas Fireplace Before you decide to purchase your gas fireplace, understand the features you want as well as the décor you desire to complement inside your space. You should expect to have a remote control with your unit to easily turn on and shut off the unit. As well, you want to know if you’re going to use propane or gas to power flames of your fireplace. There’s more to traditional gas fireplace then simply function. As briefly mentioned at the outset, you can significantly enhance the interior design of your room when choosing a fireplace with the style and color combination of your choice. The traditional gas fireplace models offer a particular to core that is appealing to the tastes of many and can match well with other traditional design and the core features of your existing space. Enjoying the Warmth After you have selected your unit and had it installed, you have the ability to settle into your comfortable and cozy environment whenever you choose, turn on your fireplace and enjoy the warmth that radiates into the...

During the cold weather, keeping your home warm is one of the topmost priorities. The unfortunate thing about a central heating system in the home is that it costs a lot of money to run and keep every room in your house at a comfortable temperature. If you are tired of having to pay so much for your energy bills and you want to add an extra special touch to your home, then you should look into getting a linear gas fireplace. What Is A Linear Gas Fireplace? A linear fireplace is one of several types of gas fireplaces that are becoming very popular, because homeowners are starting to realize how beneficial and exciting they are. A linear fireplace has an unusual appearance as compared to other fireplaces you may have seen. The fireplace itself takes up very little floor space because the firebox is so shallow, so you can place it in any room of your house, no matter how small it is. The flames can be seen through a rectangular pane of glass. Altogether, a linear gas fireplace has a sleek and chic appearance that corresponds nicely with most modern homes. Benefitting From Your Linear Gas Fireplace When you are looking into getting a linear gas fireplace, you will be able to choose from several beautiful, elegant and chic styles. This way, you can match your fireplace perfectly with the décor and design of your home. After you have installed your linear fireplace, you will be able to control several aspects of it, just by using a remote. This includes the height of the flames and the amount of heat that it puts out. In addition, turning down your thermostat and using your fireplace to heat the rooms of the house that you are in the most will dramatically decrease your energy...

For many people, the decision to choose a gas vs wood fireplace is a difficult choice. Many people love the smell and the sound of a traditional wood burning fireplace, but they also like the convenience and the efficiency of the gas burning models. Today, the ability to create very realistic looking flames with a choice of different media from glass beads to river stones and natural looking wood for gas fireplaces really adds to their versatility. The entire ambiance of a wood fireplace is still a key factor for many, so the choice is really very personal. To help make a decision, take the time to consider the following factors that can be overlooked considerations when trying to choose between a gas vs wood fireplace. Size of the Area to Heat Gas fireplaces, either as free standing stoves, inserts or as customized gas fireplaces are rated to provide heating for a specific number of square feet. The larger the fireplace, the larger the space it can heat. Wood fireplaces are not rated the same way, but the larger sizes will produce more heat as there is more physical space for the fire. This factor will be more important if the fireplace is to be a primary or supplemental heating source rather than a more decorative element. Both types of fireplaces can be used for either option. Ability to Control Temperature A wood burning fireplace will take longer to heat up a room, but it will also radiate heat for hours after you stop adding more wood. A gas fireplace is instant on and instant off, providing little heat after the flames have been turned off. When considering the ability to control temperature with a gas vs wood fireplace remember that gas fireplaces can be easily turned up or down with a remote or thermostat configuration whereas wood fireplaces are less easy to manage for temperature output. Convenience When convenience is a major factor, the gas fireplace is always the best option. There is no need to buy wood, stack wood, store wood and bring wood into the house for the fire. On the other hand, for those with access to low cost or free firewood, the cost of heating using wood will be relatively low compared to gas. Weighing these differences should help you to determine which fireplace option is right for your...