FIREPLACES ADD SOME SNAP, CRACKLE, AND POP!
When the weather outside is frightful, a fire can be
so delightful. That is what the song says, anyway. But loads of homeowners tend
to agree with the sentiment, so surely, they cannot all be wrong. Adding a
fireplace to your home can seem like a big undertaking, but there are several
options for homeowners looking to add a little snap, crackle, and pop to their
living spaces.
Fireplaces: Beyond
the Chimney
Long, long ago, there was only one way to have a fire
indoors: you had to have a brick chimney to contain the flames and keep
everybody safe. However, that was back then; today there are lots of options
for adding fireplaces to your home without having to also add a new chimney or
repair an old one that is no longer in use. This is great news, especially if
you really want a fireplace for ambiance, rather than to be used as a primary
heating or cooking source.
While wood-burning, masonry fireplaces have a sort of
rustic, nostalgic appeal, today’s modern ventless options are far easier to
install, require a lot less maintenance, and are often extremely fuel efficient
should you choose to use them to help fight back winter’s chill.
Chimney-Free
Fireplace Options
If you have an existing chimney that is in great
shape, there are lots of options for units that can be installed into that
space. For many homeowners, however, it is not that simple, because either
their home never had an open chimney, or the one they do have is in poor shape.
This is where chimney-free fireplace options really shine. They can be placed
pretty much anywhere you want to put them since there is no flue required.
When you go
shopping, consider options like:
·
Ventless
gas. Ventless
gas fireplaces have been in use for awhile now. Unlike some gas units, the
ventless gas units do not require any kind of vent, so they can be installed on
an inside wall, between rooms, or in other tricky spots. Although they do not
need a vent, it is recommended that you put them in larger rooms. You can often
use a ventless gas fireplace when the power is out, making them a great
emergency backup in a house that is otherwise heated with electricity.
·
Electric. If
you really like the look of a fireplace, but do not want to deal with cleaning
or maintaining anything, an electric fireplace is a great option. These are not
your grandmother’s electric fireplaces! Most units have beautiful LED-based
simulated fire and blowers that can put out a lot of heat. When in heating
mode, they work a lot like large space heaters. But like an electric space
heater, they need almost no care to keep running year after year. Many units
can also have the LED turned on independently of the heating element for
cool-to-the-touch flames all year round.
·
Ethanol. Looking
for real fire without having to hook up gas lines? Ethanol may be the solution you
are seeking. Instead of piping in gas or tying into the electrical, an ethanol
fireplace will produce a real flame with bottled alcohol-based fuel that you
simply pour into the burner and light. They come in a huge range of sizes and
designs, suitable for many indoor applications. You will get some heat from
these, but not anything substantial. They are like gel fireplaces, which have
been losing popularity to ethanol fireplaces for years, but unlike gel
fireplaces they use a liquid fuel instead of a gel-based one.
·
Water
Vapor. If
you only want the look of fire, but no actual fire to deal with, a water vapor
fireplace can give you one of the most realistic experiences without
limitations. These fireplaces can be incredibly large and long, limited largely
by your imagination. They do not produce any heat, since water vapor is used to
reflect special lights that create the illusion of a flame. All you need is
electricity and tap water to set the mood.