Which is cheaper to run, a gas fireplace or an electric fireplace?
In Weaverville, it depends on the house: for flame-only ambiance electric is cheapest, but on the town's natural-gas mains a gas fireplace delivers real heat for far less than an electric resistance heater. Whether you're in a new Reems Creek build or an older downtown home, gas wins on warmth.
New construction versus old downtown fireboxes
Weaverville is really two housing markets. The rapid new construction out in Reems Creek suits a clean-face gas fireplace — the Heatilator Novus is a solid first gas unit — or a wall electric if you only want the look. The older downtown homes have inefficient original masonry fireboxes that leak heat, and a sealed gas insert turns them into genuine heaters. The electric IgniteXL Bold 50 is cheapest for ambiance; as a heater, its 1,500-watt coil is the priciest BTU.
Running cost, by fuel and by season
On Weaverville's natural-gas mains, gas makes the cheapest real heat — four to eight times the electric coil's output per dollar of warmth. The town's north-facing valley warms up slowly in spring, so you'll run the heat through a longer shoulder season, which only widens gas's cost lead over resistance. Any gas line is licensed work: we pull the Buncombe County permit and meet the inspector. We're 15 minutes north of our Emma Rd showroom — call (828) 545-0525.
Fireplace help in Weaverville
We install and service fireplaces throughout Weaverville and the rest of Buncombe County — just 15 minutes north 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?
- Does a gas fireplace add more home value than an electric fireplace?
- Is it worth switching from a wood-burning fireplace to an electric fireplace?