Gel Fuel Versus Electric Fireplaces – What’s Hot?

by Adam OConnor

The fireplace has long been the preferred place to meet in the American home. However, the chief negative of having a fireplace has to be its inefficiency, because of spiraling energy costs. The fireplace that is designed to warm your house may in fact be doing the opposite and costing you hundreds of dollars in energy cost – your home’s dirty little secret.
The easiest fireplaces to install and maintain are those that run on electricity. All you need is to plug them into a standard electrical outlet. These appliances can go practically anywhere, and electricity is relatively cheap. Another option is gel fuel, which comes in small canisters that burn for two or three hours. The specially designed freestanding “fireplaces” that use this type of fuel require no vent, so they can go virtually anywhere except bedrooms.
The electric fireplace has evolved over the fifty years since it was first launched in North America, particularly over the last decade, when it moved from a fluttering paper set against the backdrop of a glowing light bulb to a classy and contemporary domestic device that in fact supplies a real “fire.”
The electric fireplace is the ideal solution for builders and homeowners in all-electric neighborhoods, multi-family circumstances, manufactured homes, professional offices, reconstruction projects and anywhere else a traditional gas or wood fireplace is not an option.
Electric fireplaces offer the ultimate in convenience and flexibility. You can benefit from a fire at the touch of a switch in any room you’d like. Just plug it in – there’s no need for a chimney, venting or gas line. Minimal installation also means instant gratification. Take it home and enjoy the warming glow of an electric fireplace the same day.
Ventless fireplace gel fuel is comprised chiefly of alcohol, which causes the substance to burn. The reddish-orange color of the flames is one of the attractions of gel fuel fireplaces. However, the true achievement of gel fuel fireplace engineers is that they have done well in producing a fuel with no damaging impact on air quality, or on the environment as a whole.
A gel fuel fireplace is easy to install and use. You can install your fireplace in just a couple of hours with only a screwdriver, with the help of the manual it came with. Gel fuel is plentiful in supply and one can burns for about three hours and provides up to 3000 BTU’s per hour making it the most cost effective energy source for any model of ventless or portable fireplace.
Gel fuel is safe and totally smokeless and even gives you the romance and traditional sound of “pop and crackle” found in a wood fire … without the mess. The air quality of the product in a room where the fuel is burning falls within the standards established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Adam O'Connor is the owner of www.eventceilingdecor.com, which provides excellent free information on ventless fireplaces and other interior decor . Adam O'Connor is an expert in this industry and his website helps people find answers to questions such as, which types of portable fireplaces are recommended commercial buildings, i.e. inside hotel lobbies
Adam O'Connor is the owner of http://www.handheldguru.com which provides free information on handheld electronics. He is an expert in this industry and his website helps people find helps people find answers to questions like how can you compare PDA's or what is the best pocket PC for you.
Article Source: Gel Fuel Versus Electric Fireplaces – What’s Hot?

Gel Fuel Fireplaces - The Best Type of Ventless Fireplace

Author: John Stoner

There are new options when you go looking for a ventless fireplace for your home. The gel fuel fireplace has become one of the most popular and exciting options on the market. For the reasons we will discuss, the ventless gel fuel fireplace is the best ventless fireplace choice. Today's gel fuel fireplaces are styled to match the most elaborate and elegant built-in traditional wood burning fireplaces.

When it comes to ease of installation and maintenance, the gel fuel fireplace can't be beat. It will only take a couple of hours to install using simple tools like a screwdriver. No big complicated assembly process to deal with here. As far as maintenance goes what could be simpler? There is no maintenance. The only thing that you have to do on an ongoing basis is replace the cans of gel fuel when they are empty. Since these are ventless fireplaces there are no chimneys to clean and inspect regularly. They don't burn wood so there is no soot or ashes to clean out.

The gel fuel fireplace is good for the health of your family and your home. Burning gel fuel consumes little energy and emits no toxins, or offensive odors. In fact, with the addition of aromatics or incense, your room can be filled with a variety of wonderful fragrances or if you prefer, just a faint aroma of burning wood.

A ventless gel fuel fireplace, since it does actually burn, will give off some heat - many times up to 3,000 BTU's. Now this is not going to be used as an alternative heating source, but it sure will give off a warm glow and provide an elegant ambiance. Plus, get the crackling sound of real wood burning when you burn the gel fuel. And it's so simple to enjoy. Just open the cans of gel fuel, light and place them behind the fireplace logs. Many models will handle up to 3 cans at a time allowing you to control the size of the flame. Each can will burn from 2 - 3 hours.

The simplicity of the gel fuel fireplace makes them perfect for apartments, condos mobile homes, dens or offices. In fact, I can't think of any room that wouldn't benefit by the addition of a ventless fireplace. And because they are portable, you can move them from room to room even outside on your patio. I've heard of some cases where people have put them in almost every room of their home including the bathroom. Given how inexpensive they are compared to installing gas fireplaces or a real wood burning fireplace, you can afford to put them just about anyplace you want to create that special effect. Good quality gel fuel fireplaces can start as low as $200 - $250.

There is no question that a gel fuel fireplace is the best solution. It is the number 1 choice in ventless fireplaces. Let its warmth and charm fill just about any room in your home. It will provide a cozy gathering place for family and friends.

John Stoner in the owner of Patio Furniture, Fountains and Fireplaces a website featuring decorating tips and ideas for the home, patio, deck and garden. Here you'll find more information on ventless fireplaces.

Article Source: http://www.article99.com

energy efficient home heating - "Gel Fireplaces: The Alternative Fuel Fireplace"

by Sam O. Streubel

Gel fireplaces are an easy and inexpensive way to add charm, beauty, and warmth to just about any room in your home without the inefficiencies of a conventional fireplace.

They can be ordered in a variety of styles and finishes complete with stained glass accents and curio cabinets.

Most gel fireplaces sell for $350 - $500, but the price for specific models can differ by as much as 10% from retailer to retailer.

Shipping prices also fluctuate a great deal. For example, Home Shopping Network charges $55 to ship the same gel fireplace that Target ships for free.

Gel fireplaces are also called ventless fireplaces by some online retailers. Most of the time they are referring to gel fireplaces, but the term is also used to describe electric fireplaces.

Whether you purchase your fireplace online, or from a local retailer, you can look forward to spending some quality time with your tools while you put it together. Normal set up time is less than an hour.

There are two common complaints from gel fireplace owners. One is the slight odor of alcohol from the burning gel. This can be solved by placing a scent stick in the gel or buying one of the newer scented gels.

The other problem is replacing the cover on a burning gel container without burning yourself. A simple magnetic opener/closer for $10 solves this problem.

Gel vs Electric Fireplaces: Heat Output and Cost to Run
Electric fireplace heaters are rated at 1,500 watts (5120 Btus) and are designed to heat around 200 square feet, or a 12' x 16' room.

The heat output of a gel fireplace is determined by the number of gel canisters burning at one time. According to Sunjel Industries, a single can of their gel generates 3,000 Btus. If this is the case, you would have to burn two cans of gel to approximate the heat output of an electric fireplace.

An electric fireplace rated at 1,500 watts uses 1.5 kilowatts of electricity per hour. When you multiply 1.5 x 10 cents per kilowatt hour (the average price for electricity in the United States), the result is 15 cents per hour.

A can of gel costs around $2 and burns for 2 1/2 – 3 hours. Two cans burning simultaneously would cost $1.33 per hour, or $1.18 more per hour than the electric fireplace.

Improve your home with Alternative Heating Info.com A unique guide to pellet and corn stoves, wind power, solar, geothermal and radiant heating.

Article Source: Energy Efficient Homes-Energy Efficient Home, Energy Efficient Home Articles,Global Warming