Comparing Gas And Electric Portable Fireplaces

Posted on: 2 September 2015

Portable fireplaces are fireplaces that are designed to be moved around, for use outside or as space heaters, while still providing the aesthetic of a natural fire. They provide an alternative to traditional central heating units. Portable fireplaces can be broadly grouped into two categories, based on the fuel source that they use: natural gas and electric. Both of these types of portable fireplaces operate in similar manners, but have a number of distinctive features about them. Understanding what each type of portable fireplace has to offer can help you decide which one best suits your needs.

Electric Portable Fireplaces

Electric portable fireplaces work by using a regular wall current to heat up the heating elements within the fireplace itself, and then use a fan or blower to circulate hot air throughout the home. There is no actual flame in an electric portable fireplace, so they instead make use of lights to provide the  aesthetic of the fire instead.

Because of their absence of an actual flame, electric portable fireplaces are very safe to operate. Additionally, because they use a wall current to operate, they offer inexpensive long term operation, as you will not have to pay extra for a fuel source as you would have to with a gas portable fireplace.

However, electric portable fireplaces are limited in the space that they can operate in, as they require a plug to turn on. This means that you may have to make use of extension cords to place your fireplace where you want it, which can be a hassle to deal with. Additionally, this limits the ability of electric portable fireplaces to be used outside.

Gas Portable Fireplaces

Portable fireplaces that are powered by natural gas do produce a flame, and blow heat throughout the room using a fan much in the same way that electric fireplaces do. However, the aesthetic of the flame is natural, as it is a real fire. Additionally, because they run off of natural gas, there is no soot or ash to clean up as there would be with a wood fireplace. It is also important to note that the use of natural gas canisters for fuel means that you can place gas portable fireplaces wherever you want in your home, and can take them with you on camping trips or for nights in your backyard.

However, gas portable fireplaces do require a constant stream of natural gas to continue operation, which represents a long term cost which can be restrictive for homeowners looking for a budget heating option for their home. Contact a heating contractor, like Marino'S Plumbing & Gas Fitting heating.

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