Winter is my fave time of the year. I’m in the minority, I know! Nothing makes me more excited though than coming in from the cold to sit in front of a fireplace (red wine in hand anytime after 5pm). It’s a vibe I just can’t quit.
If you’ve been toying with the idea of installing a fireplace in your home, the time is now. But don’t be looking at the ember-throwing mess of an old-school wood fire. And don’t get lured by an electric option either. Because it’s all about gas, for so many reasons!
Below I’m delving into the lifestyle factors, enviro benefits and the chic-as-ever look of gas fireplaces, so you can confidently lock one in and settle in for a warm winter.
This post is produced in partnership with Australian Gas Networks.
Gas Fireplaces: The Perfect Focal Point
I say it all the time, but every room needs a focal point. In a zone like a living room, a gas fireplace is the perfect design element to anchor the space so you can build the room around it.
Placing one in the centre of a formal or everyday living room (TV or art mounted above – the choice is yours!) gives the space a distinct purpose without it dominating the area too much.
The real flames in gas fireplaces create a welcoming feel, and you can really draw the eye to it if you paint the wall around it.
They Warm Up Your Room Instantly, No Work Required
I grew up with traditional wood fireplaces and the amount of time it took to get the room warm was longer and more arduous than reading War and Peace.
Between the newspaper, jiffy firelighters, matches, logs and the prayers that it would all come together before it was time to go to bed; it did not make for a snuggly evening experience.
With gas fireplaces, a click of a button is all it takes to ignite the flames and get the room feeling warm and cosy in minutes – no lumberjack required!
You Can Turn Off a Gas Fireplace Immediately
Turning them on to heat the room is a cinch, but so is turning your gas fireplace off at the end of the night.
With many wood fireplaces, you have to ensure all of the embers are out before you go to bed. Often, you’ll need to cover the wood with a thin layer of baking soda. It’s a journey before bed I do not wish to go down.
With a gas fireplace, just use your remote control (if your model comes with one) to turn it off and you’re good to sleep safely.
No Dirty Smoke, Ash or Sparks with Gas
Not only do wood fireplaces take ages to warm up a room, but the mess that comes with them is not pretty. And if you’re a decor lover like me, you need your room to remain pretty!
Sparks and embers flying out the front of a wood fireplace can do serious damage to nearby walls, carpet and hard flooring.
With a gas fireplace, you don’t get any mess around them, or permanent stains on surrounding brickwork that can bring down the overall look of your room either.
Wellbeing and Safety
Gas Fireplaces don’t contain the airborne particles that wood fires do. That means that they’re not only better in terms of indoor air pollution, but you keep your health in-check too.
Got kids or pets? You’ll find gas options are likely better for them as well because they won’t be hit with the embers wood fires cast off.
Choose a Modern or Traditional Look
The beauty of a gas fireplace is that you can choose the size and shape you want as well as design elements around it.
If your home is more traditional, choose a square shape with a mantle over the top and hearth underneath. This gives the room a classic feel with more visual interest.
If your home is more modern, a rectangular gas fireplace raised off the floor with clean lines gives a sleek appearance and acts as a supporting player to the other elements in the room.
They’re Amazing Installed Between Rooms
In TLC’s Hampton design project the client had a double-sided gas fireplace installed between their formal living room and home office and it was absolutely stunning.
Not only does a solution like this warm both rooms, and create mood in both spaces, but it connects the zones together and allows for better design cohesion.
Because you can see through the fireplace to the adjoining room, it allows for connection and interaction between family members even though you’re not together in the one space.
You’ll Need Some Depth in the Room if Retrofitting
If you want a gas fireplace installed into your existing room, be mindful that you’ll need to build a small section of wall out to house the fireplace within.
Many gas fireplaces are only 40cm in depth, which is pretty minimal and something you’ll be able to work into most rooms easily.
The depth needed will depend on the model of gas fireplace you opt for, but most of the supplier websites show you the fireplace measurements and how much wall depth is required so you can map it out.
Gas is More Energy Efficient than Wood and Electricity
Natural gas produces far less carbon emissions than coal generated grid electricity or burning wood, so if you live in *NSW, Queensland or Victoria (states that are heavily reliant on coal generated electricity) a gas fireplace can allow you to leave a lighter carbon footprint which is better for the environment..
The team at Australian Gas Networks are working on a renewable gas future, which has already begun with 4000 households in South Australia receiving an up to 5% renewable hydrogen blended with natural gas in their pipes.
You can learn more about this project, as well as others in development here.
Connecting to Natural Gas Can Save You Money Too
Connecting to natural gas can see you raking in some savings when your energy bill comes through. Of course, every home is different, but there are some impressive averages to explore.
Want to find out how much you could save? Find out on the online calculator here.
The added bonus: because the cost of natural gas per unit tends to decrease as consumption increases, the more gas appliances you install, the more you can save. So why not install two gas fireplaces across your home and revel in the warmth?
To find out more about gas fireplaces, connecting to natural gas and so much more, hit the Australian Gas Networks website.
* Over the past 12 months 70% of NSW’s electricity production has coal generated, Queensland, 76% and Victoria, 66%.
We’re looking at getting a fireplace installed in the existing fireplace alcove. This is also the wall for the tv. The tv would need to go above the mantle is this too high? We would put it on a fold out arm bracket so we can bring it down a bit but I’m concerned… thoughts?
Hi Laueen, it really all depends on how large the room is and how far away you’ll be sitting away from the TV. It also depends on the size of the TV. So many factors to consider, I know, but it’s hard to give you a concrete answer without seeing the room. As a rule, you’d want to be a good 3.5 to four metres away from the TV if it’s sitting above a traditional-height mantle. Hopefully this helps.