The fireplace is most often in a central room of the home, a place where the family can congregate to watch movies, play games, and just enjoy each other's company.
In wintertime, a chill in the air can put a damper on the entire experience.
While traditional fireplaces provide warmth and comforting light, they also provide a major distraction.
To keep a fire going, you must constantly get up to add more wood, stoke the flames, or run outside to get more kindling.
There is also the concern when it's time to go to bed, and the fire has yet to die.
Do you douse the flames and deal with wet ashes? Do you stay up while it dies, instead of heading to bed when you hoped? Or do you leave the fire going, hoping that nothing happens after you've fallen asleep? Wouldn't it be much easier to handle everything with the push of a button? Perhaps it's time to invest in a gas fireplace.
Aesthetically, the advantages of a gas system are overwhelming.
You can choose the style of log, the style of the hearth itself, and even different panes to cover the opening.
The technology has advanced to the point where the color of the flames can be controlled with a dial on upscale models.
Furthermore, eliminating ash and starter logs from the equation not only makes starting the fire so much simpler, but it also virtually eliminates any cleanup.
You get absolutely everything a traditional setup can offer you along with so much more.
In addition to the wonderful layout and aesthetics, investing in a gas fireplace can actually save you money over time.
Gas logs come measured in different outputs of heat depending on the size of the space.
Any HVAC contractor can provide you with a heat demand calculation for a single room, floor, or the entirety of your house for free.
If you buy a moderate-sized system, it could comfortably heat the majority of your home.
Simply turn on a few ceiling fans on their lowest setting to stir the air, and you can have an even, comfortable temperature in a matter of minutes without turning on your furnace.
The demand on your utilities is significantly lower, therefore your monthly heating bill will be significantly reduced, even if you only use the logs for a few hours a day.
The key here is to move the air around and to make sure that the doors to any rooms you want heated remain open to allow maximum airflow throughout the home.
From a practical, financial standpoint to comfort and visual enjoyment, there is simply no better option than investing in a quality gas fireplace.
There is an incredibly wide selection available (there are even some models that can still function as a traditional hearth for when older relatives come to visit), so call a contractor today and see how soon they can install an outstanding new set of logs.