Gas Vs Electric Fireplace Heat Output

Electric fireplaces do not provide as much heat as a gas fireplace and they can increase your heating bill substantially.

Gas vs electric fireplace heat output.

Because electric fireplaces run on 120 volts with a maximum draw of 1500 watts the heat output is limited to a maximum of 5000 btus. They cost around 25 a year to run. The average 120v outlet will produce just over 5000 btus which can warm up about 500 square feet. Wood burning fireplaces cost about 190 annually to produce a number of btus similar to a gas fireplace.

Electric fireplaces cost approximately three cents an hour without the heat on and eight cents to operate with the heat turned on. 99 of electric fireplace models do have an integrated heater. Gas fireplace manufacturers regularly advertise their running costs to be about 17 cents an hour with a higher heat output that can often drive you out of the room. Here s a quick comparison of electric gas and wood burning fireplaces to see some of these advantages.

Electric fireplaces have an output that is based on the electric current. Below is helpful information about heatilator fireplace models their btus and the space they will heat. A 50000 btu s vented fireplace may distribute around 10000 btu in the room as most of the heat goes up the chimney while 100 btu heat is distributed in the room in case o. The electric fireplace heater dissipates warmth directly into the room and is not lost through the chimney or special venting since they don t require any.

Gas fireplaces use between 7 000 and 16 000 btus are between 70 and 90 efficient at converting energy to heat and cost around 60a year to run. Generally speaking a gas fireplace is more expensive to run than an electric fireplace. You have much more direct control over the heat output more control over heat output then with a wood fireplace. Gas fireplaces burn either natural or propane gas.

How do they compare. Gas fireplaces cost 17 19 cents an hour to run or about 60 annually electric fireplaces direct says. Electric fireplaces may not have the same heat output or real flames of gas and wood burning fireplaces but they do have plenty of other advantages. Here s the truth about electric fireplaces and heat.

Gas fireplaces gas fireplaces will provide a little more ambiance than an electric unit. It s a common misconception that they do not. Both gas and wood burning fireplaces lose heat up the chimney although wood burning fireplaces typically lose more. Well the most important thing is how much heat distributed in the room.

Electric fireplaces use between 5 200 and 8 900 btus and convert all their energy to heat.