The Benefits of a Gas Fireplace or Insert

Fireplaces are an amazing source of comfort and coziness. Unfortunately, many old-style wood burning fireplaces are not efficient. Unless you’ve had your dampers replaced, if you have an older fireplace system, chances are you aren’t getting a tight seal when you close your dampers. This means that the warm air from your room could be blowing right out the chimney.

Gas Fireplace or Insert Benefits Image - Aurora IL - Pozzi Chimney SweepNot only this, but older wood burning fireplaces can create more dust in your home, more creosote buildup over time, and aren’t as good for the environment. Over time, this type of heating can cost homeowners a lot of money in energy costs. Luckily, there are some great alternatives that can heat more efficiently and save on fuel costs. Not to mention, causing less damage to the great outdoors!

Gas Fireplaces and Inserts

There are two ways to go if you’re looking to heat your home with a gas appliance. First, you can choose to have a gas fireplace installed. Do you already have a fireplace? If so, you can add a gas insert to that existing fireplace. So, now you can enjoy the convenience of gas heat without changing the fireplace you already have!

What makes a gas fireplace or insert such a good purchase? First, let’s talk convenience. When you want to add a crackling fire and you have a wood burning fireplace, you need to start up to a year earlier by cutting wood and letting it cure. You’ll also have to bring in the firewood, arrange it so that you know you’ll get a good burn, and then get it lit. In addition, as the fire burns down, keep adding more wood. However, if you have a gas burning appliance – just flip a switch! There you have it, a beautiful crackling fire!

Next, let’s talk efficiency. A gas burning appliance is more energy efficient than a wood burning appliance. According to the HGTV website, “(U)tility bills are lower when they can turn down the thermostat on a central furnace and use the gas fireplace as a supplemental heat source. Highly efficient natural gas fireplace inserts, for example, can heat up to 1,000 square feet of living space at low cost.”

Another consideration are the effects of a wood burning fire on the environment! Gas has been found to burn cleaner than wood, which is known to put unhealthy gases into the atmosphere. This happens as smoke goes out your chimney.


Whether installing a gas fireplace or gas insert, it is recommended that you have a CSIA certified chimney service company install your new appliance; just like your friends at Pozzi Chimney Sweep. You’ll know your new appliance is safe and correctly installed when you trust their expertise. It’s a job too important to leave to anyone other than the experts!