MS Propane is back with a debate about a propane fireplace versus a wood-burning fireplace. Dollar for dollar, we think the propane fireplace is a better option, all things considered.
1. Less Maintenance With a Propane Fireplace
Traditional wood-burning fireplaces need annual maintenance to clean the creosote from your flue to make sure it’s safe. Otherwise, it could build up in your chimney and cause a fire.
Meanwhile, all you need to do is clean a propane fireplace every six months (once in the fall and once in the spring) by dusting or vacuuming any debris that might accumulate when it’s not in use. We also recommend an expert look at it once a year to make sure it operates properly.
However, having a maintenance guy is cheaper than having your chimney cleaned once a year! A propane fireplace doesn’t need chimney cleaning.
2. Easier to Manage
How much time, energy, effort, and money would you spend chopping wood on your property for a wood-burning fireplace? That’s time you could be relaxing, crafting, building something extraordinary, writing a book, or spending time with your loved ones.
3. Less Physically Demanding & Less Work
Chopping and hauling wood, even with a tractor and a hydraulic wood chopper, can be demanding work. Instead of prepping for another season with your wood-burning fireplace, you can spend that time doing things you love.
4. Safer When You Have a Propane Fireplace
Your propane fireplace is safer than a wood-burning variety. There is less of a chance that one of the logs in a wood-burning fireplace might roll out and burn someone when trying to add a log to the fire.
If a spark from the wood-burning fireplace goes airborne, it could land on a rug, piece of furniture, or a piece of paper and catch part of your home on fire.
Meanwhile, a propane fireplace doesn’t have such safety concerns. The only safety precaution on a propane fireplace would be if you smell propane. Of course, you must not touch the fireplace when it’s hot. But that is a precaution for a wood-burning fireplace, too.
5. More Efficient Propane Fireplaces
As much as 95% of propane is converted to heat, making it very efficient as a heat source. Meanwhile, anywhere from 10 to 30 percent of wood’s fuel energy is converted to heat. That’s because wood has a lot more impurities in it than propane. That’s why propane has that beautiful blue flame when it cooks. You can still get the ambiance of an orange flame with certain propane fireplaces if you want it purely for the atmosphere rather than heating your room.
6. More Snuggle Time
You’ll spend less time maintaining your propane fireplace and more time snuggling with your sweetie where it’s warm and cozy. You won’t have to add a log to the fire every time you want the fire to go longer (usually once an hour). You can binge-watch your favorite show, put a movie on, read a book, and just relax rather than figure out when to add a log.
7. Less Cleanup With a Propane Fireplace
First, you have to get the wood ready for fireplace season. If you spend any time harvesting your own wood on your rural property, you know how much effort it takes to get it right. You might track leaves and dirt into your home with a wood-burning fireplace. You’ll also need to clean up any leaves and debris around the wood-burning fireplace, so have a broom and dustpan ready.
And then there is the soot afterward. Once the fire cools from the night before, or if you keep it going in the morning, you’ll eventually have to clean out the pile of soot.
Yes, there’s the ambiance. But are you tired of cleaning up before and after you start a wood fire in the fireplace?
8. No Bugs When You Have a Propane Fireplace
And then there are the bugs. What happens if there are bugs on the wood? When you bring it inside, the bugs can invade your home. And termites love wood. Do you want to risk having termites get into the wood of your home? Termites, if left unchecked, can permanently damage the wood structures of your house. Having a propane fireplace can reduce the odds of this type of infestation.
9. Less Heat Up in Smoke
Much of the heat from a wood-burning fireplace goes up the chimney. With a blower on a propane fireplace, some heat goes back into your home rather than going up in smoke through the chimney. As noted earlier, propane fireplaces are more efficient at heating your home than wood. And you also don’t waste the heat. So, you get the ambiance of having a real flame in your home while getting a good portion of the heat to help keep your home warm and cozy in the winter.
10. A Steady Flame With a Propane Fireplace
With our autofill service, you’ll never have to worry about running out of propane. You’ll have a steady supply for your stove, furnace, dryer, water heater, and the snuggly propane fireplace in your family room. Autofill, when we monitor your tank’s levels and send a truck out to fill your property’s propane tank, ensures you always have the right amount of propane for your home.
Propane Fireplace Tips From MS Propane. We’re Heating the Way!
We hope you find these tips helpful. As you can see, propane fireplaces are easier for your lifestyle than wood-burning fireplaces. If you have any questions about your propane supply, feel free to contact us!
