Fireplaces: Warm, Mesmerizing and Cost-Effective

Factory built fireplaces burn wood or gas and typically are designed to specifications for one fuel or the other. However, a gas log set can be added to most wood burning fireplaces. A gas log set consists of either a natural gas or propane burner covered in "firewood," fake logs made from a fireproof material such as refractory cement, ceramic clay or fibers and can mimic many varieties of wood, even driftwood.

Older existing fireplaces both masonry and factory built can be made into an efficient heat producer using a fireplace insert. Inserts are made from cast iron or steel and are similar to a freestanding stove. There are both gas and wood models and some are EPA certified. Unlike gas log sets, these products generate enough heat to warm one or several rooms.

In fact, Martin says, the biggest thing consumers don't know about fireplaces is how well they heat especially when it comes to gas units.

It is also not always easy to determine whether or not an existing fireplace can be converted into one that is more efficient. For factory built fireplaces, the type of fuel often determines what can be done with the fireplace.

"Builders today will put in a factory built wood burning fireplace with a nice set of gas logs and the builder will call it a gas fireplace," says John Crouch, director of Public Affairs for HPBA in Sacramento.

Retrofitting these units is relatively easy while a factory built gas unit will usually have to come out, he says.

Less efficient as heaters but easy to install are electric fireplaces which the industry describes as "plug and play" product. Many have flickering flames and glowing embers, a realistic firebrick backing inside the hearth and classic or contemporary facades and are even available at retailers and big box stores. They are priced as low as $300.

All that is required to light these fires is an electrical outlet although some models need to be hard wired by an electrician. Many produce heat and have the option of having the heat on or off.

Fireplaces and hearth products are so diverse that it' hard to make any generalizations but one thing is certain -- with thermostats, remote controls and flames that respond to a flick of a switch there is little resemblance to the days when starting a fire meant rubbing two sticks together.