Having a gas fireplace in your home can be a great way to establish a certain kind of ambiance, entertain guests, or even provide a little extra heat in the wintertime. However, when it comes time to replace that gas fireplace, it’s not unusual to worry about whether your existing fireplace might last just a little longer with a bit of bubblegum and a few paper clips.
Gas fireplaces fall along a spectrum of features that can influence when you should think about replacement over a simple repair. Here are some of the things you should keep in mind when it comes to determining if you need to replace your gas fireplace:
How Long Can a Gas Fireplace Last?
Generally speaking, you can get a good ten to fifteen years of use before you need to replace your gas fireplace. However, the higher the quality of the initial installation, the diligence of routine maintenance, and the type of gas fireplace you’ve installed can all impact the amount of time you can spend before replacing your gas fireplace.
Generally speaking, new improvements allow you to install gas fireplace inserts that can easily be switched out compared to wood-burning fireplaces or opt for different log sets to match the room’s decor.
What Factors Influence a Fireplace Replacement?
There are plenty of factors that can influence the need for a gas fireplace replacement, but the two most significant factors are how it’s used and what kind of fireplace it is.
A fireplace used as a heating source in the winter is likely to have significantly more wear and tear on it than vented gas fireplaces used as a decoration for company. Additionally, the way the fireplace is used can impact how quickly the gas log in the vent-free or vented fireplace needs to be replaced, which might be the determining factor in the replacement vs. repair debate.
How you use your gas fireplace can impact how fast the components wear out, but the parts themselves may determine how quickly you need to replace your gas fireplace.
The simplest fireplaces can last decades with many of the components available for easy replacement, but as fireplace work has become more advanced, including things like sealed glass and cement logs, it’s become increasingly challenging to replace isolated components. If one of these components wears out, it’s increasingly likely that you’ll need to replace the whole fireplace just to maintain functionality.
What Else Should You Consider?
When thinking about replacing your gas fireplace, you should take into consideration your plans for your home. If you are hoping to remain in your house for a long time and like how your fireplace looks, it’s worth thinking about making repairs where possible and ensuring you have enough carbon monoxide detectors working in the vicinity. You can contact one of our expert technicians for gas fireplace repairs in Utah County.
However, if you’re planning to sell your home, then you should consider a replacement to ensure you put your home’s best foot forward when showing it to potential buyers.
To find out more about gas fireplace conversions and replacements, call the Croft Fireplace team today!