The Beauty of Gas Fireplaces
More and more people are realizing the value of gas fireplaces. The once log-burning fireplaces are being converted to gas. Having a gas fireplace is easy, inexpensive, clean and more efficient while adding a beautiful enhancement to your home.
Gas fireplaces come in a variety of styles, sizes and even color to match the theme of the room. Most gas units can be used with an existing hearth, mantle or masonry work. In planning to install a new gas fireplace or upgrading an existing one, the first thing to do is to choose a hearth company that has a good reputation and can be depended upon. The company should be able to walk you through the entire process of install or upgrading your hearth. They should state all the pros and cons of each fireplace type or unit.
After selecting a reputable hearth company and you have already chosen the style, size and color of your new gas fireplace, a representative should visit your home so that he can determine if there will be special installation requirements. Gas fireplaces must be sized for your specific heating needs. Your heating needs will be determined by the number of floors/stories in your home, height of the ceiling and how open or close your floor plan is. The dealer will provide a calculation on your home to determine heat-loss, which consists of the cubic feet of the area you want to heat, quality of insulation, types of windows, and other energy features already existing.
With a gas fireplace, you can choose a number of features that will increase the efficiency and convenience level. Electric fans are available to circulate the heat while thermostat controls allows you to turn the fireplace off or on, maintain the heat at a constant level. Remote controls can turn the fire on and off, regulate the height of the flame, control the activation and the speed of the fan. The logs on a gas hearth are made from ceramic and are made to imitate real wood such as birch, pine and oak. These logs are so realistic in appearance that it is almost impossible to tell the difference between them and real wood. In fact, you can even purchase special material that is sprinkled on the bottom of your gas fireplace that gives the impression of glowing embers.
There are a number reputablle companies online that specializes in the hearth industry. You can check them out online and you can make online inquires too. These companies are Heat and Glo (www.heatnglo.com), Regency (www.regency-fire.com), Napoleon Fireplaces (www.napoleonfireplaces.com), Central Fireplace (www.centralfireplace.com), Heatilator (www.heatilator.com), Allfireplaces (www.allfireplaces.com).
