Difference Between Electric Fireplace and Gas Fireplace

Electric Fireplace vs Gas Fireplace

Electric fireplace and gas fireplace are common household appliances and an energy saving alternatives for home heating. Especially during winter season, a fireplace helps in keeping the house and the resident’s toasty warm. What type of fireplace one chooses depends on the need and what they desire.

Electric Fireplace

An electric fireplace is cheaper than buying a gas insert or building up a chimney in a home. As the name implies it utilizes electricity to create heat. There are no actual flames; it would either be a digital version or just plain heat coming out of the fireplace. The problem with electric fireplaces is their accessibility during power outage, since the electricity is their only source of power.

Gas Fireplace

On the other hand, a gas fireplace may cost a lot. You have to purchase and have a professional install the necessary equipment to work out a gas fireplace. A gas insert, self contained gas containers and even a chimney is needed for a gas fireplace. The fires however are not similar to the fires produced when using old fashioned wood burning.

Difference between Electric Fireplace and Gas Fireplace

Electric fireplace is cheaper; gas ones are more expensive. Electric has fake or no flames produced while gas fireplaces may produce flames that mimic the ones produced with wood burning fireplace. Electric fireplaces will not work when the power is out; gas fireplaces will still continue to produce flame and heat even during power outages. Electric fireplace does not need any installation, a homeowner can even do it herself; gas fireplace needs installation of gas inserts and building of a chimney. Electric fireplaces are portable and can be transferred from room to room, gas ones on the other hand are fixed to a particular area of the house.

Both fireplaces work best at producing heat and keeping everyone warm. How a person chooses which fireplace to purchase depends on the need and of course, the budget.

In brief: • Electric fireplace is cheap while gas fireplaces are expensive. • Electric fireplaces are installation free when it is the opposite with gas fireplaces. • Electric fireplace needs electricity to work while gas fireplaces can still work even without electricity. • Electric ones are portable while gas ones are not.