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Fuel Sources
Natural gas
A highly desirable fuel option in many areas, natural gas is clean-burning and efficient. More and more prefab fireplaces and stoves are being designed to use it. Gas-fired appliances don't require buying or storing logs or pellets, and you can easily adjust flame height, heat output, and fire duration. In most communities, gas-burning appliances are not an issue from a clean-air standpoint; it's just a matter of whether you have a gas line.
In many areas, propane gas may be the only choice. Most gas appliances work equally well with propane, but check with the dealer to make sure.
Electricity
Electric fireplaces, inserts, and stoves are the easiest of all to install and maintain. All you need to plug them in is standard household current. Electricity is relatively inexpensive, and these appliances can go pretty much anywhere.
Coal
For stoves manufactured to burn coal or wood, this is a clean-burning option -- but high-grade fuel coal isn't readily available everywhere. The best grade for home heating is anthracite, or "hard coal"; varieties mined in eastern Pennsylvania are the most desirable. Coal is sold by the ton and delivered to your home.
Gel fuel
Much like the alcohol fuel used to warm buffet dishes, gel fuel comes in small canisters that burn for two or three hours. Look for gel fuel in home centers and hardware stores or where portable outdoor fireplaces are sold.
You can use this fuel for occasional fires in specially designed freestanding "fireplaces" that require no vent, so they can go virtually anywhere except bedrooms. However, such fireplaces are definitely for short-term use, in well-ventilated rooms or outdoors.
A highly desirable fuel option in many areas, natural gas is clean-burning and efficient. More and more prefab fireplaces and stoves are being designed to use it. Gas-fired appliances don't require buying or storing logs or pellets, and you can easily adjust flame height, heat output, and fire duration. In most communities, gas-burning appliances are not an issue from a clean-air standpoint; it's just a matter of whether you have a gas line.
In many areas, propane gas may be the only choice. Most gas appliances work equally well with propane, but check with the dealer to make sure.
Electricity
Electric fireplaces, inserts, and stoves are the easiest of all to install and maintain. All you need to plug them in is standard household current. Electricity is relatively inexpensive, and these appliances can go pretty much anywhere.
Coal
For stoves manufactured to burn coal or wood, this is a clean-burning option -- but high-grade fuel coal isn't readily available everywhere. The best grade for home heating is anthracite, or "hard coal"; varieties mined in eastern Pennsylvania are the most desirable. Coal is sold by the ton and delivered to your home.
Gel fuel
Much like the alcohol fuel used to warm buffet dishes, gel fuel comes in small canisters that burn for two or three hours. Look for gel fuel in home centers and hardware stores or where portable outdoor fireplaces are sold.
You can use this fuel for occasional fires in specially designed freestanding "fireplaces" that require no vent, so they can go virtually anywhere except bedrooms. However, such fireplaces are definitely for short-term use, in well-ventilated rooms or outdoors.
