24 August 2020
Is Gas More Affordable Than Firewood?
Fuel source is an important thing to consider when it comes time to purchase a fireplace for your home. Do you go for the traditional wood-fired or do you go for gas? Each fuel source has their positive and negative aspects and which one you choose will depend on your lifestyle, budget and heating requirements. In this post, we will take a look at the cost involved in heating and maintaining your fireplace with either fuel source. So let’s delve into the nitty gritty and get to the bottom of this feud of the fuels.
Wood Fuelled Heaters
The traditional wood fuelled fireplaces or heaters provide a cosy warm atmosphere that many feel cannot be replicated by a gas heater. Wood fired heaters produce pleasant aromas as the flames randomly dance and the sound of crackling as it bursts through an air pocket in the wood.
The cost involved in using a wood-fuelled heater is obviously the wood and your location will determine the price and availability of the wood. If you’re lucky, you may be able to source the wood yourself. Ensure the timber you burn is hardwood, seasoned and a moisture content of less than 18%. Collecting the wood yourself is ideal although this is going to take up some of your precious time and energy!
If you lead a busy life and just want to come home and relax you will need to buy firewood. You can buy a tonne of firewood for about $300 to $400. This could be enough for three months of moderate heating. Depending on your location, the size of your heater and heating requirements you may have to stock up a few times.
Gas Fireplaces
Gas fireplaces are convenient and ideal for those who want a fire without the fuss of collecting or purchasing wood. Some say wood burns up to eight times hotter than gas and can heat a whole home. A Gas fireplace however is more zonal heating for a room or multiple connected rooms. The price of the using a gas fireplace all depends on how much you use it. Prices generally run between 50 cents per hour to $1.60 depending on the size of the room, the fireplace model and the gas company you’re with. It pays to shop around gas companies because they are continually upgrading their plans to stay competitive and there are some real bargains to be had.
The Conclusion
So, if you are willing and able to go out and hunt and chop firewood for yourself wood is definitely a cheaper option, although it’s not as convenient as gas but can heat larger areas. Free wood doesn’t cost a cent other than your time. If you are using wood that you have collected yourself, it is more economical when heating your house.
If you can get a good deal from your gas supplier, it will be considerably cheaper than wood, but you don’t get the added benefits of a traditional fire and the extra heat. So overall gas is less expensive than wood unless you’re prepared to collect your own. With Lopi Fireplaces, you have the choice of both, so have a browse around and see what takes your fancy.
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