HOW MUCH IT COSTS TO RUN A GAS FIREPLACE?
Gas fireplaces have become increasingly popular in modern homes, offering a convenient and efficient alternative to traditional wood-burning fireplaces. Besides providing warmth and ambiance, gas fireplaces also offer cost-effective heating solutions. If you're considering installing a gas fireplace or already own one, it's essential to understand the associated costs. In this article, we'll deliver into the factors that affect gas fireplace expenses and provide insights on how much it costs to run one.
Are Gas Fireplaces Expensive To Run?
Gas fireplaces provide real fire in your living room, but they cannot beat the wood fire; after a few days of raking out the ashes, setting a new fire, and lighting it, some of the magic has gone. On the other hand, you cannot beat the gas fireplaces' convenience as they are easy to turn on by pressing the knob, and you will get instant flames. Having gas fireplaces means no fuss, no hassle, no waiting, no mess, and no hauling wood. We have come a long way from the days of blue flames and artificial logs. Now gas fireplaces have flickering red and yellow flames playing over woods. Gas fireplaces come in three types.
Log Sets:
s log sets are like gas burners that fix into an existing fireplace, providing much heat and looking good.
Inserts:
Inserts are for those people who want to replace a wood burner with something easy to use.
Built-Ins:
They can be fit anywhere.
If we make a comparison, then inserts and built-ins both provide the natural heat like a wood fire. But all three types need an outside vent or completely vent-free gas fireplaces. For people who love the living fire for them, a gas fireplace is the best fireplace.
How Much Does It Cost To Run A Gas Fireplace?
The best thing to consider about gas fireplaces is that they are easy to run and affordable. Natural gas is the least costly power source to run. The amount of gas a fireplace uses depends on the model but is often measured in the arcane-sounding British Thermal Units. One BTU is the energy mount used to increase the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. But the figure is provided in kilowatts, equal to 3,412.14 BTU per hour. Gas fireplaces fuel consumption figures can be found in the manual and on the fire itself. Gas is measured in terms, and one therm is the same as 100,000 BTU, so if you want to estimate the running cost of a gas fireplace, divide its BTU rating by 100,000 and multiply that figure by the price of a term.
Unit Cost
Gas fireplaces unit prices vary according to model size, style and features, and the total upfront cost of the appliance. Expect to spend around $2,300 to $8,000, depending on your desired gas fireplace. For example, the cost range for built-in gas fireplaces ranges from $500 to $2,000. But choosing the most advanced features like remote control, LED lighting, and a more sophisticated venting system will cost you up to $5,000. On the other hand, gas fireplace inserts will cost around $1,000 to $5,000, but the models with more advanced features like adjustable flames and decorative inserts have a price range of around 10,000$ or more. The price range of gas fireplaces depends on the product, retailer, and installation expenses that do not include unit cost, so it's good to check with the vendor to recognize what comes with the sticker price.
Installation Cost
As with the unit cost, the gas fireplace installation cost may go up and down based on factors like the type of gas fireplace, the complexity of the installation, and where you expect to fix the unit. Furthermore, the expense related to installing a gas fireplace has different aspects, all of which you pay for it, like material price, labor, and permit fees. The price of gas fireplaces will also depend on the type, whether it is a vent-free or vented gas fireplace. Also, the costs to install a fireplace unit will be higher when altering than on a new installation.
Vented
Vented Most people want to enjoy the realistic flame look. That's why they burn propane or natural gas. This vented process produces gases and emits them outside the environment to prevent them from accumulating inside a home. The price of vented gas fireplaces depends on shape and size, but installation costs vary from $1000 to $ 10,000$, except the price of venting pipe and labor costs range from $700 to $5,000.
Vent-Free
A vent-free gas fireplace installation costs range from $1,500 to $4,600, including labor.
Running Costs
Due to the low natural gas and propane prices, gas fireplaces are more cost-effective to run than electric-powered fireplaces. Gas fireplace running cost is three times less than the electric counterpart. To conclude precisely how much a gas fireplace outlays per day, week, and month, first, we find its running cost per hour when the appliance is set to its maximum heating output.
Finding the Average Cost of Using Gas Fireplaces per Hour:
Gas Fireplace That Uses Natural Gas as a Fuel Source
You can find out the running cost of natural gas by multiplying the British thermal units output of the fireplace y the cost per therm of your energy provider charges.
For example, if your powered fireplace has 50,000BTUs and your gas provider charges $0.60, then the equation goes like this:
50,000 X 0.60 ÷ 100,000 = 0.30
This means the running cost of using natural gas is $0.30 per hour.
Gas Fireplace That Uses Propane as a Fuel Source
You can find out the cost to run propane gas as a fuel by multiplying the fireplace's BTU output by the propane price per gallon ($1.20) and then dividing the figure by the BTU equivalent. Here's the equation that will help you to find the cost.
50,000 X 1.20 ÷ 100,000 = 0.60
This means that $0.60 per hour is needed to run a gas fireplace by using propane as fuel.
Daily
We can calculate how much gas fireplaces cost to run per hour by calculating their running cost per day. It depends on how many hours you keep the unit running.
Gas fireplaces that run on natural gas.
It costs $1.20 to run for 4 hours, $2.40 for 8 hours, $3.60 for 12 hours, and $7.20 for 24 hours.
Gas fireplaces that use propane
These fireplaces, which use propane gas, cost $2.40 to run for 4 hours, $4.80 for 8 hours, and $7.20 for 12 hours, and $14.40 for 24 hours.
Monthly
You can calculate the monthly cost simply by multiplying the daily price by the number of days you use. Moreover, you also have to consider the heating output of the appliance and further factors that affect the running cost of the unit.
Conclusion
While the initial investment and ongoing costs of operating a gas fireplace may seem daunting, it's essential to consider how much it costs to install and run a gas fireplace. Well, it won't break the bank. By understanding the various factors contributing to the cost of running a gas fireplace, gas-powered fireplaces are more cost-effective than traditional wood-burning fireplaces. So, you can make an informed decision by knowing how much different fuels cost to run a gas fireplace.