Posted: 2/28/2004 9:18:39 AM EDT
| Construction is underway my builder wants to know if we want a Gas or Wood burning fireplace. EVERYONE I talk to about this say's go with Gas it's more efficent and much cleaner than Wood....And my lovely wife Mrs. Carhlr wants Gas.....Here's the problem my entire life I've always said the only requirement I want in a new home is a Wood burning fireplace. So do I go with my Gut or listen to the masses? |
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I put a wood stove in the (finished) basement of our place. The main thing is whether you have a ready supply of wood, and you feel like messing with it. I love that kind of work--and the cabin sits on 80 acres, 20 or so timbered. If you are going to have to buy wood, and have it delivered, just so you can burn it--NO WAY, IMO. There is nothing like a wood fire--it's just good for the soul. Edited to add: It's easy to later convert a wood burner to gas. The opposite is an expensive bitch. [;)] |
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well, since you're askin'... i've always had or required a wood burner of some type as well, stove, fireplace, wood bbq grill, fire ring out back, etc. so i hear ya there. being a wood "purist" i would say that gas stoves are completely useless. save them for the cheezy honeymoon suite in the poconos, a real lodge burns wood. also, in a cabin or home, yeah, you'll have the dust, the black hands, but these are small compared to the plusses. like: in a power outage (of any length) you can still cook on a woodstove, you will have light, and heat - all without relying on huge/evil corporations to do so - the pioneer in us all should demand a woodstove. also, i think the crackle, smell and the warmth of a wood burner just can't be imitated. IMHO,YMM...yada yada (edited for spelling and grammer) |
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If you go with a ventless gas fireplace it will be 99.9% efficent and you won't have to build a chimney. It also comes in very handy when the power goes out as you can still get heat. Of course if you like the work of cutting wood, carrying the wood, all the bugs that come in with the wood, the ineffiecent burning process, the dust and soot, chimney cleaning, the additional expense while building the house of having a chimney put in, plus having to deal with the ashes, then go ahead and put a wood burning fireplace in. I grew up with a wood burning furnace and fireplace and I prefer gas instead, just because I don't like spending all my free time doing the things listed above. |
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I heat my 2200+ sqft house for about 40$ per winter with wood. Granted it's not with a fireplace but a Ashley wood burning heater. With fluctuating gas prices and winter electric outages, wood heat is the way to go for me. If your finicky about some sawdust or the odd bug now and then, go with gas. I go to one of the local sawmills and get slabs and butts for free. There are five mills within five miles of my house. |