Which is cheaper to run, a gas fireplace or an electric fireplace?
In Flat Rock, the historic housing stock frames the answer: those 1800s homes have oversized open masonry fireplaces that lose most of their heat up the flue, so while electric is cheapest for looks, a sealed gas unit on the town's natural-gas mains makes real warmth for far less than an electric coil.
Oversized open hearths are the expensive part
Flat Rock's homes date to the 1800s, with big open masonry fireplaces and aging clay flue liners that pull cold-air drafts right into the room. Charming, but as heaters they can run a net heat loss. A sealed gas insert like the Kozy Heat Chaska 25L, or a direct-vent unit, preserves the historic character while actually warming the space — and running that gas line is licensed work. We pull the Henderson County permit and meet the inspector, which also protects the home sale and your insurance.
Electric for looks, gas for heat
For pure ambiance, a wall-mount electric like the IgniteXL Bold 50 is the cheapest thing going — it draws a trickle for flame-only evenings. But as a heater it's a 1,500-watt coil making around 5,000 BTU, the priciest warmth around. On Flat Rock's natural-gas mains, gas makes several times that heat for less. We're 30 minutes south of our Emma Rd showroom — call (828) 545-0525 to walk the options.
Fireplace help in Flat Rock
We install and service fireplaces throughout Flat Rock and the rest of Henderson County — just 30 minutes south from our Asheville-area showroom.
Related questions
- What's the difference between a gas fireplace and an electric fireplace?
- Does an electric fireplace put out as much heat as a gas fireplace?
- Is it cheaper to heat your house with wood or with gas?
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- Is it worth switching from a wood-burning fireplace to an electric fireplace?