There are not many things that feel cozier
than a roaring, crackling fireplace on a cold winter's night. Wood-burning fireplaces are great, but
when it comes to clean-up and maintenance, they can be a real pain. An alternatives to this is to
install a gas log fireplace. True, there is no "real wood", but the look and feel is
so close to the real thing that many people can't tell the difference unless they get up close to see for
themselves.
The down-side to"real" fireplaces is that they require a lot
of maintenance. There are ashes to sweep and dispose of. Annual inspections and maintenance by a
chimney sweep are necessary to make sure that there is no dangerous build-up of creosote in the fireplace or
chimney. And "real" fireplaces must be vented to the outside to prevent carbon monoxide
poisoning. The venting may make the fireplace safe to use, but it also sucks the inside air
to the outside of the house, wasting a lot of energy in the process.
Vent-free logs are a sensible choice as a
supplemental heating source. These gas fire logs are clean-burning and
low-maintenance. High-efficiency burners requires no venting to the outside, so all heat stays in the
house. The hand-painted logs and glowing
embers give the illusion of a real wood fire.
When looking for vent-free gas logs, be sure
that the system is equipped with an Oxygen-Depletion Sensor which will ensure that carbon monoxide
emissions do not reach dangerous levels. Read and follow carefully all instructions included with the
gas fire logs. If you are unsure about how to properly install a gas log fireplace
insert or gas fire logs, have a professional do it for you.
Once the installation is complete, kick back
and enjoy your gas log fireplace. It should give you and your family many hours of
warmth and enjoyment.