Comparing Fireplace Inserts: Wood Stove vs. Pellet Stove vs. Gas vs. Electric
Finding the right fireplace insert for your home can be a tricky business. With so many types and fuels available, how can you tell which one will best suit your needs? In this article, we’ll compare wood stoves, pellet stoves, gas fireplaces, and electric inserts to help you evaluate the pros and cons of each and discover which one is the best for you.
Wood Stove Fireplace Inserts
For large rooms or small dwellings like cabins, the wood stove fireplace insert is a great option. That said, due to their more involved installation process and the need to keep them stocked with wood, these units require an extra bit of effort to properly operate. These wood stove inserts are usually of excellent quality, made of cast iron and/or plate steel.
Pellet Stove Fireplace Inserts
Similar to the wood stove option, pellet stoves are also well-suited for large rooms or dwellings like cabins. While convenient to use, they too require a more involved installation and operation as you must keep them stocked with pellets or corn for them to function.
Gas Fireplace Inserts
Gas fireplace inserts are perhaps some of the most efficient and easy-to-use heating appliances available. Such inserts help to provide natural fire look and feel, though not all homes are already wired with gas lines. Installation of gas inserts can be an expensive purchase and installation. Once installed, these units work effectively for years and replacement can be much easier and cheaper.
Electric Fireplace Inserts
If you’re searching for an affordable option, electric fireplace inserts usually fit the bill. These inserts are designed to be quite literally plug-and-play. Many will fit into existing fireplaces or TV cabinets, and can safely and efficiently heat a small to medium size room in your home. For rooms 500 square feet and smaller, a heat blower or forced fan fireplace insert is recommended. For larger rooms, infrared quartz can provide much more heat without using significantly more power.
Room Size and Heat Distribution
The size of the room and the desired type of heat distribution must be taken into consideration when choosing the type and model of your fireplace insert. Wood or pellet stoves are designed to heat 1,000-square-foot rooms (and larger), while electric fireplaces are designed to heat small, medium and large rooms. But be aware that electric fireplaces come with two types of heat distributions – forced fan and infrared quartz. The former uses a fan or blower to push the generated convection heat off the heating elements, while infrared quartz heaters use a heating element encased in a quartz tube, and emit the heat on the infrared wavelength.
Size of Fireplace or TV Cabinet
When choosing the right insert, you will need to make sure it fits into your fireplace mantel or TV cabinet. Many fireplace inserts are designed to “standard” fireplace sizes, though mantel sizes can vary wildly in size and may be considered “nonstandard.”
Features
Finally, consider the included features of your fireplace insert. Most electric or gas fireplace inserts will come with a remote control and an automatic timer for shutoff. Electric fireplaces vary wildly in terms of their flame effects, so if this is a factor for you, you’ll want to find videos of the insert in operation (as photos can be misleading). Don’t forget about finding optimal warranties when determining the best fireplace insert for your home.
Conclusion
Which type of insert is right for you? That depends on your specific needs. If you’re looking to heat large rooms, you’d be well-advised to go with a wood or pellet stove insert. If you need something more affordable, easier to install and maintain, then natural gas or electric inserts may be the best option. Be sure to consider the size of the room, the type of electric heat distribution, and the size of your fireplace or TV cabinet before taking the plunge.
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