When you are thinking about a new fireplace, one of the decisions you have to make is whether you will get a gas or wood-burning fireplace. While there are a lot of factors to consider, one of the arguments you might want to address is which one is more environmentally friendly. Both wood and gas fireplaces have their pros and cons in regards to the environment, but a gas fireplace will give you the following environmental benefits.
No Particulates Emitted
Wood burning fireplaces and stoves emit particulates into the air. When breathed in, these particulates can become lodged in the lungs and cause significant health problems over time. Older wood fireplaces and stoves will emit up to 40 to 60 grams of particulate waste into the air each hour. Newer wood stoves are designed to produce less than five grams of particulate. Natural gas does not release any particulates into the air.
More Efficient
Gas is much more efficient as a heat source than wood. Open wood-burning fireplaces lose a lot of heat from the room up the flue. This means that you will go through more fuel to heat a room if you are using wood. Gas, on the other hand, is very efficient and does not require a flue, which means that the heat stays in the room with you. This, in turn, means that you will use less fuel with a gas fireplace.
No CO2 Emissions
When you burn wood, it releases CO2 into the air, in much the same way as a dead or fallen tree would do. This excess CO2 could be responsible for additional pollution and climate change factors. It is important that you do not add to the environmental crisis, and switching away from wood and toward gas fireplaces would be a good first step.
If you are interested in switching to or installing a new gas fireplace, contact us today for more information.
