SO YOU WANT A FIREPLACE?

With the temperature dropping, thoughts are naturally turning to finding ways to keep warm especially in this Wagga climate. As Wagga’s best builder we aim to provide you with the essential to make an informed decision whether it be lighting design or fireplaces. Is a fireplace on your building wish list? For cosy appeal – and a natural focal point in a room – a fireplace is hard to beat. But with so many different styles and fuel types on offer, it’s important to consider your needs carefully before you buy.

Gas Fireplaces

If you’re looking for a fireplace that offers minimal mess and fuss, a gas style might be just the ticket. Gas fireplaces don’t produce smoke or ash, and come loaded with convenient features, including remote-control operation, timer and thermostat control (so you can set your desired temperature and switch-on time). Some styles even come wifi-connected, so you can flick on the heating from your smart phone or tablet and step inside to a cosy home. Gas fires need to be flued, although recent technology means that flues can now run up, down and sideways, allowing them to be installed in most property types, whether you’re in a house, apartment or townhouse. To install a gas fireplace, you will need access to natural or LPG bottled gas. The best bit about a gas fireplace is that the running costs are considerably cheaper than log-burning fires.

Wood-burning Fireplace

If you’re more interested in a cosy atmosphere than heat output, an open, wood-burning fireplace might be for you – after all, when it comes to ambience, the flickering flame of an open fire is hard to beat (plus there’s nothing better for roasting marshmallows). If you’re considering an open fireplace, you’ll want ready access to logs which isn’t hard in the Wagga area. You’ll need to be prepared to do a little work too. A wood-burning fire we require cleaning and maintenance regularly.

Pod-style Fireplaces

A sculptural, pod-stye fireplace that hangs from the ceiling tops many home owners wish lists in 2019, and its easy to see why. These wood-burning fires make a bold statement in a room and blur the lines between function and art. They come in lots of cool shapes and give a really contemporary feel to a space. However, it’s a good idea to position them away from high-traffic zones, especially if you have kids or pets. They can be a safety hazard with collisions and burns.

Electric Fireplaces

Love the idea of a fireplace, but need something that doesn’t require a flue, which you can take with you when you move? An electric fireplace will give you the look of a real flame in a plug-in-and-go unit that can be moved from room to room. Electric heaters are available in a number of different formats, including wall-panel heaters, log or pebble flame-effect and smoke-effect fires in mantel suites. They come in a range of different shapes and sizes to suit different room types, and some come with added features such as bluetooth speakers so you can even stream music. Many electric fireplaces provide impressive heating too.

Eco-friendly Ethanol Fireplaces

For a more environmentally friendly option from a carbon-emissions perspective, consider an ethanol fireplace, which uses bottled fuel made from plant by-products. Ethanol fireplaces don’t need a flue, don’t produce smoke or ash, and can be installed just about anywhere you like – from the end of a kitchen island to inside a wall of built-in joinery. Many people assume that ethanol is a flame without heat, but the reality is that ethanol is an incredibly efficient heat source, because all the heat generated through combustion stays in the room as it doesn’t have to be flued.

Wood-pellet Heaters

Another earth-friendly option to consider is a wood-pellet heater. Pellets are made from a mix of sawdust and agricultural waste. They’re energy-efficient, offer powerful heating and produce about five percent of the smoke emissions of a typical log burner. You typically buy wood pellets in 15-kilogram bags, which cost between $10 and $15. On average users would typically go through around 50 bags of pellets per year.

Ready to take the leap and build your dream home? Make Hurst Homes your first choice and contact our team today!

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