Gas fireplaces now lead the fireplace industry as the unit of choice among homeowners.

A variety of possible installation methods and ease of use are two factors leading to the increased popularity of gas fireplaces. Improvement in the appearance of the logs and flames has also played a part in the trend toward gas fireplaces. They also burn cleanly and allow for controlled heating of specific rooms.

Unlike masonry fireplaces, gas fireplaces can be installed in a number of different configurations. The standard gas fireplace is vented just like a bricks and mortar wood burning fireplace. However, gas fireplaces can also be installed with a direct vent system. A direct vent gas fireplace makes it possible to have a fireplace in a home without the need for a chimney. Gas fireplaces designed for direct venting are constructed with a metal firebox which allows them to release their exhaust through a wall vent rather than a chimney. Such units make it possible to have gas fireplaces in homes which previously were not suitable for any kind of fireplace.

Gas fireplaces have always had the advantage of not having to haul and store firewood. Options available on newly improved models have also made the starting mechanisms on gas fireplaces more dependable and easier to ignite. Many styles now come with thermostats as well which allow a homeowner to control individual room temperatures. By using a gas fireplace to heat a specific area and turning down the overall furnace, a homeowner may be able to significantly reduce his/her home heating bill.

All gas fireplaces are kinder to the environment than their wood burning counterparts. They produce less air pollution of all sorts and their exhaust is not as dense as the smoke produced by wood. A well vented, well maintained and well operated gas fireplace is also more energy efficient than a similar model that consumes wood.

In the past some thought that gas fireplaces did not have the same visual appeal and ambience as a wood burning fireplace. In recent years there have been significant improvements in these areas. The logs and flames in gas fireplaces have taken on a truly realistic cast even to the point of having embers. For those who crave the various scents emanating from a wood fire there are a wide variety of sprinkle on powders which produce appealing fragrances.

All in all, when considering fireplace options, many homeowners will find that gas fireplaces make the most sense. They can be integrated into a wider variety of home construction than fireplaces requiring chimneys. Gas fireplaces are also easier to operate and maintain. In addition, they produce fewer pollutants and in many cases are generate more heat. Finally, manufacturers of gas furnaces have answered previous complaints about the appearance of their products with a new generation of aesthetically pleasing products.