HEATING ALTERNATIVES Warmth of fire in the home

Gas log implants and inserts are easier to care for than wood-burning fireplaces, yet still realistic.
By REBECCA SLOAN
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
Few things make a home as cozy as a warm, glowing fireplace on a cold winter's night.
The gentle crackle and hiss of the orange flames and the circle of warmth that radiates from the hearth -- these are the creature comforts homeowners dream of.
But with the traditional wood-burning fireplace comes a long list of hassles.
Homeowners must chop and haul firewood, clean creosote accumulation on the interior of the chimney, worry about the dangers of flying sparks, and contend with energy inefficiency and heat loss.
"A regular wood-burning fireplace is only about 23 percent efficient," said Phil Webb, of the Glass Gallery in Cortland, a business that specializes in fireplaces, gas logs and grills. "For this reason, many consumers are choosing other options, such as gas log implants and inserts or free-standing fireplaces."
Indeed.
Recently, there's been an explosion of alternatives to the traditional wood-burning fireplace.
Let's start with one of the simplest alternatives -- gas log implants.
Gas log implants
If the chimney of your wood-burning fireplace is in good working order and you're tired of the hassles of burning wood, a gas log implant might be just the thing.
"Gas log implants are basically a grate and logs," Webb said. "You don't need to install a new flue in the chimney. The unit simply needs to be hooked up to the home's gas line, and it's ready to go."
Gas logs require no maintenance or cleaning, and they're always ready to burn.
Many units even come with a remote control, giving the homeowner instant ambiance at the touch of a button.
Webb said consumers can choose from two types of gas log implants: vented and vent-free.
"Vented units are less efficient because you have to leave the flue and damper open while burning them," Webb said.
With vent-free units, however, the flue and damper can remain closed, which means no heat loss and higher heat output.
Mark Wheeler, of Wheeler's Fireplace and Grill in Niles, said vented gas log implants sell for about $199 to $399 plus installation and cost about 30 to 60 cents per hour to operate.
Vent-free gas log implants sell for about $425 to $685 plus installation and cost about 15 to 25 cents per hour to operate, Wheeler said.
Although vent-free gas log implants burn more efficiently, Webb said their flames don't look as natural as the flames of vented units.
"The flames of vented gas log implants burn more yellow than blue, so they look more natural and realistic," Webb said.
Another tip: If you want realistic looking gas log implants, don't skimp on cost.
"The more realistic-looking the logs, the higher the price tag is going to be," Webb said.
Gas log inserts
Gas log inserts are a step up from gas log implants.
A gas log insert is a boxed, self-contained unit that fits snugly into the masonry opening of the fireplace.
"It's like a fireplace within a fireplace," Webb said. "It's a more permanent option than the gas log implants. A new chimney flue must be installed."
Gas log inserts are also more expensive, starting at about $1,000.
"People want them because they are more efficient," Webb explained.
Wheeler said direct-vent gas log inserts can actually lower the monthly gas bill.
"They generate enough heat to keep the furnace from running, so your gas bill might actually be lower," Wheeler said.
And your home's air might be cleaner.
Direct-vent gas log inserts use outdoor air for combustion, and since exhaust is expelled outside the home, indoor air quality is not compromised.
Gas log inserts are virtually maintenance-free, although Wheeler said the unit's pilot light might need cleaned once a year.
"It costs about $40 to $60 to have someone come and clean it," Wheeler said.
Most gas log inserts come with a remote control.
Webb said some have timers that act as a thermostat, automatically starting the unit when the room gets cold and automatically turning it off when the room warms up.
Free-standing fireplaces, stoves
There are a wide variety of free-standing fireplaces and stoves on the market -- some gas, some electric and some wood-burning.
The term free-standing means that the unit sits on legs or a pedestal and typically occupies an area about the size of an easy chair.
Some free-standing units are vented out of the house through a wall, while others require no venting.
Electric free-standing stoves and fireplaces are among the most portable.
"You just take the unit out of the box, plug, it in and it's ready to go," Wheeler said. "If you get tired of having it in one room, you can move it to another room. It weighs only about 35 pounds."
Free-standing stoves or electric fireplaces have no real flames. Instead, the look of fire is mimicked through filtered lighting.
"The units rely on a hologram to create the look of flames," Wheeler said. "The bulbs in the unit are the same 25-watt bulbs used in candelabra chandeliers, so replacing them is simple."
Wheeler said the holograms look very realistic, but Webb said most of his customers want real flames.
"Lots of people dislike the look of the simulated flames," Webb said.
Another disadvantage of electric free-standing units is that they generate little or no heat.
Free-standing electric stoves and fireplaces can cost anywhere from $200 to $1,300.
Other types of free-standing stoves and fireplaces burn gas.
Some are vented out through pipes that can go horizontally or vertically through the wall, and some require no venting.
These units can cost anywhere from about $800 to $4,000.
"The possibilities are endless," Wheeler said. "Some people frame in their free-standing units with stone, and others build cabinets around them."
Three-sided fireplaces
Another popular trend is the peninsula, or three-sided fireplace.
These fireplaces jut into a room sometimes off the end of a bar and give onlookers a view of the fire from more than just one angle of the room.
Three-sided fireplaces can burn wood or gas logs.