Home Heating: The Difference Between Gas Logs for Sale and Fireplace Inserts

There’s something magical about having a real live fireplace in your home. When you have the visual aspect of a real fire, your home feels welcoming, comfortable, and relaxing. Combined with the warmth that a fire can provide, you’ll have the perfect environment for you and your family. Gas logs for sale are popular for home fire installations, offering a more convenient, efficient, and safer fireplace when compared to a traditional wood burning installation. Not to be confused with fireplace inserts, gas logs look just like the real thing and can give you the authentic experience of a classic fireplace. If you’re exploring your options and are stumped by the differences between gas logs for sale and fireplace inserts, then we’ve got the information that you need.

Gas Logs for Sale vs. Fireplace Inserts

To clear things up right away, let’s take a look at a quick definition for both options: A gas log is a home appliance comprised of artificial imitation logs and a gas burner. Gas logs simulate the look of a real fire and are installed inside your existing fireplace. A fireplace insert is a metal stove that also simulates the look of a fireplace, although with a significantly lower degree of authenticity. Inserts are also placed inside your existing fireplace. There are advantages and disadvantages to both solutions. If you are looking to buy a gas fireplace online, then you’ll need to determine which one is right for you.

Gas Logs for Sale: The Advantages and Disadvantages

Gas logs are considered by most people to be more authentic than inserts. You can see the manufactured logs right inside your fireplace, with real flames moving around them. The sense of realism is the key selling point for most people. Unlike burning real wood in a fireplace, you have no risk of embers or cracking logs, and you won’t have to tend the fire as it burns. Gas logs do come with a disadvantage, and that disadvantage is inefficiency. Because the logs are completely open, you only receive as much heat as is naturally radiated. Gas logs for sale are usually around 10% energy efficient, which is about the same as burning natural logs inside your fireplace.

Fireplace Inserts: The Advantages and Disadvantages

Fireplace inserts can be slotted into your existing fireplace, but the combustion chamber is fully enclosed. There’s no need to worry about excess heat loss because a panel of insulative glass covers the insert. Less gas is used in a fireplace insert, so they’re more affordable to run. Energy efficiency can be as high as 90% for an unvented fireplace insert. Inserts are effectively gas stoves, radiating heat into your home without directly exposing you to the flame. The disadvantage is that they don’t look as impressive or even as authentic as the various gas logs for sale. Because there’s no direct exposure to flame with inserts, they’re safer for pets and children. Keep this in mind when you are making your decision.

Making the Right Decision

Wholesale gas logs are reasonably priced, easy to install, and they will fit right in with the aesthetic of your existing fireplace. Inserts take a little more work to install and don’t look as nice as gas logs, but they are more energy efficient. If you want the most authentic looking fireplace and efficiency is not a major concern, then a log style gas fireplace online is the way to go. If you want the increased safety of an enclosed combustion chamber, and if you want to cut down your gas costs, an insert is the better option. Whichever one you feel is best for you, HVACDirect is the best place to purchase discounted wholesale gas logs and fireplace inserts. We offer our inventory direct to consumers with shipping across the United States. Buy fireplaces online, get advice from experts on our live chat, and prepare for a warmer, dryer, and more comfortable home.