There’s just something about a beautiful wood fire. The crackling and popping of the wood, the smell of burning wood, the itchy eyes from the smoke, the sore back from cutting wood…wait a minute! For some people, a wood fire is amazing. They love going out in the great outdoors, cutting down trees and chopping up the wood. Starting a wood fire is therapy for them, part of the relaxation process. But for other people, it’s all about sitting in front of the flame. For those people, it might be time to think about replacing that wood burning fireplace with a gas burning insert.
Pros of Converting to Gas
As mentioned above, one disadvantage of burning wood is a smoke-filled room. If you or a loved one suffers from asthma or another lung disorder, a smoke-filled room can be more than just an inconvenience, it can mean a trip to the emergency room. When you burn wood in your fireplace, water vapor, gases, and chemicals such as benzene, acetaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are released into the air. While most of this goes up the chimney, some gets back into the house. In addition, if the wood is too wet, lots of smoke is produced and the room could get very smoky. If you already have a lung condition, these particles can aggravate it. Switching to gas will alleviate this problem by getting rid of the wood. You can also leave the glass doors shut when you use gas, so the fireplace exhausts to the outdoors.
Another issue with burning firewood is inconvenience. Sometimes you have plenty of time to lay the wood and to set the kindling and to make sure the fire keeps burning. But sometimes you don’t. Think of the times when you’ve just wanted to sit down and enjoy a fire without all the fuss. Gas gives you that option. With a flick of a switch, you can turn a gas fire on and off. No mess, no fuss, no time spent building and maintaining a fire.
Get A Level 2 Inspection
If you’re thinking of switching from wood to gas, call Owens Chimney Systems to schedule a Level 2 inspection. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) requires Level 2 inspections after changing your heating system. Whether you decide to use a gas insert, vented gas logs, or vent-free gas logs, make sure to call qualified, experienced professionals like those at Owens Chimney Systems. Each of these options has things which make them a good option. For example, a gas insert or vent-free gas log is a great choice for desired warmth. If you don’t care about heating your home, but just like the look of a fire, a great choice is vented gas logs. Whichever choice you make, the choice of who to call to install and inspect takes no thought: Owens Chimney Systems. Call today for that Level 2 inspection – before the calendar fills up!