Winter in Colorado Springs is beautiful, but it brings freezing temperatures and heavy snow. During these cold months, there is nothing better than sitting in front of a warm, glowing fire. However, traditional wood-burning fireplaces are not for everyone. They require a lot of hard work, time, and cleanup.
If you want the cozy feeling of a fire without the mess and stress, a gas fireplace is the perfect solution. With just the push of a button, you can heat your home instantly. Gas fireplaces are clean, safe, and very easy to use.
If you are thinking about upgrading your home this year, this simple guide will explain everything you need to know about gas fireplaces. We will cover the different types, how they are installed, and why they are a great choice for your family.
The Problem with Wood Fireplaces
Many people love the smell and crackle of a real wood fire. But let us be honest. Wood fires take a lot of physical work.
First, you have to buy or chop the firewood. Then, you have to find a dry place to stack it outside in your yard. When it is freezing and snowing, you have to put on your winter coat and boots just to carry heavy, dirty wood inside the house. Firewood often brings spiders, bugs, and messy bark into your clean living room.
Next, you have to build the fire, wait for it to catch, and constantly poke it to keep it burning. When the fire is finally out, you are left with a big pile of messy gray ash. You have to sweep this ash up and throw it away carefully. It is a very dirty and time-consuming process.
Why Gas is the Easy Choice
Now, imagine a completely different winter evening. You come home from work. You are tired and cold. Instead of going outside to carry heavy wood, you simply sit down on your comfortable couch.
You pick up a small remote control. You push one button. Instantly, a beautiful, warm fire appears in your living room. There is no waiting for the logs to catch fire. There is no smoke blowing into your face. There is no ash to clean up the next morning.
When you are ready to go to bed, you push the button again. The fire turns off completely and instantly. You do not have to worry about hot embers burning in the dark while you sleep. Gas fireplaces give you all the warmth and beauty of a fire with zero hard work.
The Three Main Types of Gas Fireplaces
If you decide to make the switch to gas, you have three main choices. The right choice depends on your house and what you want the fireplace to do.
1. Gas Inserts
Do you already have an old, open brick fireplace in your home? Old brick fireplaces are often very drafty. They let your expensive furnace heat escape right up the chimney. A gas insert is the perfect fix.
A gas insert is a sealed metal box that fits right inside your existing brick fireplace. We slide it into the hole and run two small metal pipes up your existing chimney. One pipe brings in fresh air for the fire, and the other pipe blows the bad exhaust air outside. An insert turns a cold, drafty brick hole into a highly efficient heater.
2. Direct Vent Fireplaces
What if you do not have a chimney at all? That is not a problem. You can get a Direct Vent gas fireplace.
We can build a Direct Vent fireplace on almost any exterior wall in your house. It does not need a tall chimney going through your roof. Instead, it vents safely right through the wall directly behind it. This is the most popular choice for adding a brand new fireplace to a bedroom, basement, or living room.
3. Ventless (Vent-Free) Fireplaces
Ventless fireplaces are designed to burn the gas so completely that they do not need an exhaust pipe at all. All the heat stays right in the room.
However, there are strict rules for ventless fireplaces. Because they do not vent outside, they put moisture and some combustion byproducts into your room air. They are not allowed in bedrooms and must be used carefully. We can help you decide if this is a safe option for your specific space.
How the Installation Process Works
Adding a new fireplace might sound like a huge, messy construction project. But a professional gas fireplace installation is actually very straightforward.
Step 1: The Plan. We come to your house to measure your space. We help you choose the right size unit so it does not make your room too hot.
Step 2: The Gas Line. A fireplace needs fuel. Our certified technicians will safely run a new gas line from your home’s main supply directly to the new fireplace location.
Step 3: Venting and Framing. If you choose a Direct Vent model, we cut a small hole in the wall for the exhaust pipe. We also build the wooden frame that will hold the fireplace securely in place.
Step 4: Testing for Safety. Once everything is connected, we turn the gas on. We use special tools to check every single pipe connection. We ensure there are absolutely no gas leaks before we leave.
Designing Your Perfect Fireplace
Gas fireplaces have come a long way in the last ten years. They no longer look like fake, plastic logs. Today, you can design a fireplace that matches your personal style perfectly.
- The Logs: You can choose logs that look exactly like real oak, birch, or driftwood. They are hand-painted to look like they have real glowing embers underneath them.
- Modern Glass: If you have a modern home, you can skip the logs entirely. Instead, you can choose sparkling fire glass or smooth river stones. The flames dance beautifully through the glass.
- The Inside Walls: You can choose the background inside the fireplace. You can pick traditional red brick, stacked stone, or reflective black glass that makes the fire look twice as big.
Zone Heating Saves You Money
A gas fireplace is not just for looks. It is a powerful heater that can actually lower your winter energy bills. This is done through a method called “zone heating.”
Think about your house in the evening. You and your family are probably sitting in the living room watching television. The rest of the house – the guest rooms, the kitchen, the dining room – is empty. Why should your main furnace work hard to heat all those empty rooms?
With a gas fireplace, you can turn your main house thermostat down to 60 degrees. Then, you turn on the gas fireplace in the living room where you are sitting. The fireplace keeps your “zone” nice and warm, while you save money by not heating the empty rooms.
Are Gas Fireplaces Safe?
Yes, modern gas fireplaces are incredibly safe for your family and your pets.
Unlike a wood fire, there are no flying sparks. You do not have to worry about a hot ember popping out and burning your carpet or starting a fire. Because there is no real wood burning, there is no dangerous creosote building up inside your chimney.
Also, the glass front of a gas fireplace can get very hot. To protect young children and pets, all new gas fireplaces come with a nearly invisible safety screen. This safety barrier stops little hands from touching the hot glass.
Do They Need Maintenance?
A gas fireplace is much cleaner than a wood stove, but it is not completely maintenance-free. It is still a gas appliance, and it needs a little bit of care to stay safe.
Dust and pet hair can get sucked into the fans and burners. Spiders love the smell of the gas additive, and they often build tiny webs inside the pilot light tubes. This can stop the fireplace from turning on. Also, the glass door can develop a cloudy, white film from the minerals in the gas.
You should have a professional inspect and clean your gas fireplace once a year. We clean the glass with a special polish, vacuum the burners, and check for any tiny gas leaks. This simple service keeps your fireplace running perfectly all winter long.
What if the Power Goes Out?
Colorado Springs is known for heavy winter snowstorms. Sometimes, these storms can knock out the electricity to your house. Losing power in the freezing cold is scary.
The great news is that many gas fireplaces do not need electricity to make a fire. They have a battery backup system for the ignition. Even if your house goes completely dark, your gas fireplace will still turn on. It will provide life-saving heat and light for your family until the power company fixes the lines.
Conclusion
Adding a gas fireplace changes how you enjoy your home during the long winter months. It adds instant value to your house, lowers your heating bills, and gives you a beautiful place to gather with your family.
You do not have to deal with the messy ash, the heavy wood, or the cold drafts anymore. Make your life easier and warmer.
If you are ready to upgrade your home, give our team a call today. We will help you pick the perfect design and handle the entire installation safely from start to finish. For more information on heating safely, you can always visit the CSIA or the NFPA websites.