The Benefits of a Propane Fireplace

Having a fireplace in your home is a cozy way to add heat to a room, and has the added benefit of providing a comforting ambiance. Whether you are considering adding this element to a room, or your home is already equipped for a fireplace, there is a choice to be made: how do you want your fireplace to be powered?

There are many benefits to choosing a gas fireplace over electric or wood burning, and further, opting for propane over natural gas. Let us take you through just a few!

Propane is Efficient and Effective

Propane fireplaces provide six times the heating capacity of wood burning models, making it a lot easier to heat your home. They offer Fireplace Efficiency (FE) ratings of over 90%, compared to the 15% FE of wood-burning fireplaces.

Not only do propane fireplaces beat out wood burning fireplaces in this category, but they also deliver five to six times the heating capacity of electric fireplaces.

Propane is Affordable

A good way to save a little on your electric bill is to utilize your propane fireplace for a consistent heat source. Your fireplace will put off enough heat that you are able to lower your house thermostat a couple degrees, or even turn it off in the months you need just a little extra heat. In a recent report by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), it was found that the energy costs of propane ($18.81 per million Btu) are less than half that of electricity ($38.28 per million Btu).

Also, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecasts U.S. winter natural gas bills will be 30% higher than last winter. The driving factor for this increase will be higher natural gas gas prices, which are expected to increase from $10.17 per thousand cubic feet last winter to $12.93 per thousand cubic feet this winter. Yet another great reason to choose propane over other options.

Propane is Reliable

Since propane is stored onsite and is delivered to your home by your local supplier regularly, it is always there when you need it. Whether you need a little extra heat in your home, or simply just want to have it on for the ambiance, it requires no extra effort on your part! You can also rely on your propane powered fireplace in the event of a power outage – you won’t have to worry about being left without a heating source.

Propane Requires Less Maintenance

We can all agree that less maintenance is better for just about any product you’re looking to purchase or use. This is especially true for your fireplace! When comparing propane powered fireplaces to wood burning fireplaces, there is a clear winner in this category.

Propane fireplaces don’t require you to tend to them constantly while they are on like wood burning fireplaces do. To keep your flames and heat consistent with wood burning fireplaces, you have to continue putting logs on the fire or adjusting them so the fire doesn’t go out, requiring you to eventually chop more wood or haul more in. Once the flames do go out, you’re left with soot and other debris that need to be cleaned before you start your next fire. With propane, all you have to do is flip a switch! And if you’re thinking that electric fireplaces offer this same benefit, you’re correct. However, electric fireplaces don’t offer real flames like gas powered fireplaces do.

The only maintenance required with your propane fireplace is a yearly safety inspection to inspect gas lines for leaks or other issues that would cause it to not work properly. Keeping up on these inspections is important, but don’t require much effort on your part.

Choose Propane!

As we’ve learned, propane fireplaces offer many advantages compared to other options. Propane is now a widely used alternative fuel in residential homes because it is safe, cost-efficient, and offers lower carbon emissions. Premier Energy has been providing propane heat to homes and businesses for over 30 years, so you can rely on us for all of your propane needs!