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Gas fireplaces are housed in an insulated metal cabinet and can be installed nearly anywhere. Inside these new fireplace boxes are ceramic logs and a burner assembly that delivers a reasonably realistic, woodlike yellow flame, instead of the short, nearly invisible blue flame associated with other gas appliances. All gas fireplaces light with some type of automatic ignition and most have a standing pilot. That is, they turn on automatically from a thermostat with the flip of a wall switch, the push of a button or by pointing and clicking a remote control.
Over time, the logs for gas log fireplaces have changed and are available in various wood styles such as birch, oak, or pine, each very realistic in appearance. The materials used for creating the logs hold the heat better that helps to provide warmth to the homes faster.
The increased use of natural gas and propane for home heating has made the move to gas fireplaces easy and attractive. Some benefits of gas fireplaces include:
- Gas fireplaces are easier to use and more energy-efficient than traditional wood-burning fireplaces.
- Gas fireplaces offer the convenience of an on/off switch and a constant fuel supply. When the gas supply is shut off, the fire is extinguished immediately.
- Gas fireplaces eliminate the need for cleaning the hearth and there are no ashes, wood chips, bark, smoke or other residue left.
- Propane and natural gas are clean-burning fuels. Compared to wood fireplaces, gas fireplaces vented to the outdoors produce much less carbon monoxide and particulate emissions.