Technology has given consumers the choice between several types of fireplaces, as compared to the conventional fireplace of the past. Long gone are the days when families had to worry about real flames constantly putting the household in jeopardy or even relying on wood for a medium of heat.

But with the opportunity of choice comes a decision: and technology certainly has led itself to provide interesting alternatives to the flame. So where does a consumer start in the midst of so many alternatives?

Benefits of Electric Fireplaces: Electric fireplaces are some of the most basic alternatives to conventional fireplaces. It's as simple as plugging the fireplace into a wall outlet; and the temperature can be controlled fairly precisely. The flames are simulated with light bulbs- perhaps not the best simulation, but it gets the job done.

Electric fireplaces are reliable as long as the power doesn't go out. Their downfall is, of course, is that they rely on electricity to run. The first crippling snowstorm or thunderstorm will render the fireplace useless in a time where families would have a need for them most.

Practical Uses of Gas Fireplaces: Gas places were originally the conventional fireplace replacement. They offered a good alternative to the bright flame conventional fireplaces used, and cost much less after the cost of wood was factored in. Gas does, however, cost money and generally more so than electric fireplaces.

A big benefit gas fireplaces maintain over electric fireplaces is the reliability. In the snowstorm or thunderstorm that happens to knock power out, gas fireplaces will still be going strong long after electric fireplaces give out.

Points of Interest with Gel Fuel Fireplaces: Gel fuel fireplaces are an interesting concept. Instead of practical use, they are more for ambiance and show. The flame produced by gel fuel is odorless, and doesn't give off smoke. This makes the flame perfect for situations where a chimney isn't a viable solution.

The major downfall to gel fuel, however, is the heat given off from the flame. The heat output is fairly low, so the most use you can get out of a gel fireplace, on average, is for cosmetic reasons. Canisters of alcohol-based fuel also must be bought for the fireplace to function correctly- meaning the gel fuel fireplace isn't exactly an inexpensive solution.

A Look at Conventional Fireplaces: All of the previous examples are bent on improving on the original design of the fireplace. Conventional fireplaces are generally three things: messy, expensive, and difficult to maintain. As you can tell from the previous alternatives, these issues have been addresses in some shape or form.

Conventional fireplaces require firewood which can be both quite messy and expensive. The carbon monoxide that comes as a result of the fire also creates a potential danger to family members- meaning proper ventilation is always required for proper use.

Conventional fireplaces also require cleaning something owners will learn to dislike more and more as time goes on. Not only does cost become a factor with firewood, but the cost of cleaning a chimney can be a dent to the checkbook as well.

Choosing the Right Fireplace: So what's the right fireplace for your situation? If you don't mind the mess and cost of conventional fireplaces, there is no need to seek an alternative. If you like the idea of a pretty flame without heat, gel fuel is a good choice. Otherwise, electric and gas fireplaces should do the job quite nicely.

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