As the temperatures begin to drop, many homeowners begin to think about heating their homes. Unfortunately, with the rising cost of fuel, you may be left wondering whether you should huddle around your gas fireplace or switch on your gas furnace. The answer to this query is not straightforward as there are a number of factors which could influence your decision.
BTU Ratings:
All gas appliances have a BTU rating. This is a consumption rating which is used to indicate how much gas would be used in a typical hour. You can usually find the BTU rating for your fireplace and furnace on the appliance label or in the owner’s manual. The BTU rating is usually made up of two numbers; one number indicates the consumption rate when the appliance is used on its highest possible setting, while the other number represents use on the lowest setting. Comparing BTU ratings will not provide you with a complete picture. Many people assume that a lower rating is automatically the best choice, but there are other factors to consider.
Efficiency:
Another important factor to consider is the efficiency of your heater. Efficiency is determined by how much of fuel is turned into heat. With even the most efficient appliance, there will be some degree of wasted energy. For example, if your heater has an efficiency rating of 85, this means that 85% of the energy being used is turned into heat and 15% is wasted. The efficiency rating is usually listed on a manufacturer’s label or in the manual.
How Much Heat is Delivered:
The efficiency of the appliance is not the only consideration since heat can be lost inside the ductwork as it is directed around the home. The specific amount of heat which is delivered into each room cannot be measured by the appliance manufacturer as the configuration of every home is different and will have different levels of insulation.
The heat delivered by your gas fireplace is easier to measure. The reason for this is that the heat will be delivered directly to the room. This means that comparing the efficiency ratings on the appliances will not always produce an accurate picture.
The Choice Between Gas Fireplace or Furnace:
When choosing whether you should use your fireplace or turn on your gas furnace you need to determine what you are actually trying to accomplish. While a fireplace is usually more fuel efficient since it will not lose heat as it travels through the ductwork, it won’t make a massive difference to the temperatures outside of that localized area. Using the fireplace can be an excellent idea if the whole family is settled down in one room for a movie night, but if the family are in different rooms, it is a better idea to use your furnace.
If you are concerned about the efficiency of your gas furnace, it is a good idea to have it inspected by a professional heating specialist. An experienced technician can assess your system to ensure that it is operating at peak efficiency and you are not losing precious heat through damaged ductwork.