Fireplaces - The Modern Way to Upgrade Any House

One easy way to bring cosiness to a house is by installing a fireplace with the proper design to fit your interior. If the property is located in a big city (such as Melbourne, where I currently reside) and you want to increase its selling value, a fireplace will do the job. Style, class and warmth are the perfect combination. Nevertheless, installing a heating system can be quite a challenge if you don’t have the right experience. That’s why it's best to rely on professionals in heating and cooling installations to take care of this task. There are numerous ideas for the great appearance of fireplaces, so I will only highlight the modern types of log fireplaces and how they can be implemented successfully.

Vented Gas Log Fireplaces

These can easily take the place of wood in a traditional chimney. The fire unit can work with either natural or propane gas - both types are burned with the damper open. Chimneys previously used to burn wood should be professionally cleaned to remove creosote before gas logs are mounted. Freestanding fireplace models are a suitable option for most homes. They come in a variety of styles, including hearths or wall-mounted units and fireplace stoves. You can vent a freestanding fireplace through an existing chimney or through the roof or wall.

Unvented Gas Log Fireplaces

While the vent-free options save money, you should have in mind some safety concerns. These fireplaces always vent unburned combustion products directly into the living space. They put tons of heat and are 100% efficient but they use the oxygen in the room and put out carbon monoxide. And that's the reason why they smell unpleasant. Unvented gas logs are not recommended for people with respiratory issues, asthma or allergies.

Electric Fireplaces

This fireplace is perfect for apartments and condos because they don’t have a flame or require venting. Easy to incorporate into any space, all you have to do is follow manufacturer's instructions regarding the placement of device and plug it into the outlet. They come in a range of designs to fit with any room and provide a great way to improve the interior. Electric fireplaces are considered as the most cost-effective option available on the market.

Ethanol Fireplaces

These models have become the current trend for their ease of installation as well as the contemporary design. They are clean and odourless and perhaps best of all - they also require minimal maintenance. Ethanol fireplaces push towards biofuels and being eco-friendly. They burns denatured ethanol so that you don’t have to clean up ashes or worry about smokes. Moreover, they don’t need a chimney, which means that all the heat stays inside the house.

As with any home improvement project, it's a good idea to take a moment and think about the goal you're trying to achieve with a new fireplace. Consider the design of the property, its setup and, of course, the amount of heating that is actually needed.