Welcome to American Fireplaces of Sevierville, Tennessee
 

American Fireplaces
241 W. Main Street
Sevierville, TN 37862
Office: 865-429-3377
Fax: 865-774-0504

Hours
Monday - Friday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday
9:00 am - 1 pm

Frequently Asked Questions

A frequently asked question that we've seen is: "Which is better, gas or wood?" We'll address some of the pros and cons of the different types of fireplaces below.

Gas

Pros:

  • Cleaner than wood
  • Easier than wood - simply flip a switch
  • More flexibility in installation
  • More control over heat output and flame height
  • Can be used to supplement the furnace to heat home, reduce heating bills

Cons:

  • Doesn't create the same smell and sound as a wood fireplace
  • Can't tend to the fire

Gas Direct Vent

Pros:

  • Can be installed virtually anywhere in the house
  • Air-tight construction eliminates air quality concerns in home
  • Maintains indoor air quality
  • Many direct vent products are efficient enough to be listed as furnaces
  • Eliminates the need for a chimney and chase - less expensive installation
  • More flexibility in installation such as under windows or as a room divider
    Instant ambiance with the touch of a button
  • More authentic look due to sealed combustion chamber, allows for flame-out-of-logs
  • 100% of combustion air comes from outside the home and 100% of the exhaust is expelled outside the home - direct vents do not interfere with indoor air quality - doesn't use already heated room air for combustion air

Cons:

  • No "direct" access to the flames due to sealed combustion fireplace

Gas B-Vent / Top Vent

Pros:

  • Ease and convenience of gas fireplaces

Cons:

  • Potential backdraft of combustion gases depending on home's indoor air pressure
  • Uses already heated room air as combustion air
  • Less efficient than direct vent units

Gas Unvented / Room-Vented

Pros:

  • Less involved installation
  • Potential to be installed in many places, BUT must follow room sizing requirements (typical unvented fireplace requires 96' x 20' room)
  • Very efficient in burning of gas, but uses heated room air for combustion

Cons:

  • Air quality issues/health concerns.
  • Typical sizing guidelines for an average fireplace size (30,000 BTU's) require a 96' x 20' room size - or 1,920 sq. ft. to safely accommodate unvented products
  • Illegal in many states and municipalities
  • A typical (unvented) natural gas stove or fireplace releases a gallon of water vapor every 2 to 3 hours of operation - potentially causing mildew issues
  • May require more service to ensure dust, pet hair, and other chemicals are not interfering with the unit
  • For safety reasons cannot be run for extended periods of time
  • Requires permanent fixed opening to the outside for proper room ventilation

Gas Log Sets

Pros:

  • Instant ambience
  • Utilizes existing masonry fireplace
    Ideal for warmer climates where extra heat is unnecessary
  • Current technology allows better logs and flames than in past
  • Burns clean
  • Easy to use
  • No ashes to clean

Cons:

  • Less efficient use of fuel vs. fireplace
  • Little or no heating capability
  • Opportunity for products of combustion to enter home in negative pressure situation
  • Relatively expensive to operate vs. gas fireplace or insert

Wood

Pros:

  • Aesthetics of the fire - smell, crackling sound, glow
  • The experience of chopping wood and actually building a fire
  • Firewood is more readily available in some areas
  • Can be used to supplement the furnace to heat home, reduce heating bills

Cons:

  • Cleaning the fireplace, hauling ashes, sooting
  • Cost of wood is greater than gas in most areas and is rising
  • Requires a chimney, chase, footings, etc.
  • May cause odors and particulates in the air
  • Requires continuous maintenance to keep fire burning
  • Peaks and valleys in heat output

Pellets

Pros:

  • Clean burning
  • Allows extended burn times
  • Can be mixed 50/50 with corn
  • Easy to store
  • Pellets are readily available, found in most hardware stores
  • Some pellet appliances are self-lighting and run off a room thermostat

Cons:

  • Pellet appliances are usually more expensive than wood
  • Consumers can't get "free" pellets like they can wood
  • Pellet appliances require electricity to operate
  • Pellet appliances historically require the most service and maintenance

Electric

Pros:

  • Easiest fireplace product to install - just plug it in
  • Portable
  • Convenient
  • Can be "installed" by anyone, no training required
  • Ideal for apartments, condominiums, lobbies, etc.

Cons:

  • Not as realistic looking
  • Lower heat output
  • Depending on local rates can be expensive to operate
Copyright 2010 - American Fireplaces. All rights reserved.