Back in the 1980s, when gas fireplaces first became popular, it wasn’t because they were gorgeous. 35 years ago, they were little more than a less labour-intensive alternative to wood fireplaces. A standard gas fireplace then featured an anemic blue flame in a tidy row, hidden somewhat between unconvincing “logs”. Typically, a pilot light was on all the time, using more energy than was necessary, and there was no adjusting the height of the flame. If you still have one of these units, you might find that a cloudy particulate build-up on the glass has obscured your view of the glass. Worse, it’s probably been there so long you can’t remove it.
Gas fireplaces have come a long way
Fortunately, gas fireplaces have evolved for the better in the last few years.
Now, manufacturers have engineered the fireplace to produce long yellow flames, and even red embers. You can choose a variety of materials for your fire bed, including realistic ceramic fiber logs that have been molded from the real thing. If you are going for a more old-fashioned look, you can choose a coal fire bed. More modern updates include driftwood logs, stone, even glass.
Better yet, today’s gas fireplace puts out real heat. You can work with the experts at Ark@Home to choose the right size and power, so you can enjoy your fire and cut back on central heating.
Whether you are thinking of a natural gas stove to replace a wood fireplace, or an earlier gas model, you can look forward to beauty, convenience and better energy efficiency. Right now, you may even be eligible for a FortisBC rebate if you’re upgrading your heating system. Come see the many designs we have on display in our fireplace showroom.
