Cost To Operate a Gas Fireplace
After you have bought your gas fireplace unit, how much does it cost to operate? This is a critical component of any heating system. Even if the upfront cost is low, a high operation and maintenance costs can be crippling and prohibitive.
How much you can hope to save on heating costs really depends on a number of factors:
- The size of your home
- Your insulation system (i.e. how much heat your home loses due to leaky walls, windows, and attic insulation systems including radiant barriers)
- How often you use your fireplace
- What your primary heating system is (i.e. hydronic heating, standard gas, convective air)
If you use a gas fireplace properly, as a zone heating source while turning down your primary heating source in other parts of your home, you can save upwards of 10% to 20% on your heating bill. This of course depends on the above factors, and how often you utilize a zone heating pattern.
But what about actual numbers? Personally, in a cold Chicago winter I use a ventless gas fireplace as my main source of heat in a loft condo. I have 15 foot ceilings (with a ceiling fan), but share some interior walls with neighbors so probably have less heat loss than the average home and I have never had a gas bill over $65 in the winter, and I keep it at 70 degrees as a minimum. When I turn the fireplace on my whole place can get up to 73 degrees in under 30 minutes.