fireplace types
There are now new wood fireplaces, based on the stove technology. And gas, electric and pellet fireplaces are enlarging their market share...
The technological core and some specific features of the new units are also multiplying the types of fireplaces: new efficient wood fireplaces can be catalytic or non-catalytic; electric fireplaces can be only flame or flame and heat units; gas fireplaces can be vent-less or vented, etc.
Types of wood fireplaces
Traditional wood fireplaces are of two types: masonry and pre-fabricated engineered low mass fireplaces.
New efficient wood fireplaces can also be considered in two types: catalytic and not catalytic, like new efficient wood stoves with which they share the same technology (new efficient fireplaces are basically stove inserts).
See:
Fireplace Conversion
Best Wood Fireplaces
Wood Catalytic and No-catalytic Stoves
Types of pellet fireplaces
Pellet fireplaces differ with manufacturers, the biomass materials they run on (the type of wood and corn pellets...) and in some specific features, but just that. They are very similar – in their technology - to pellet stoves…
Types of gas fireplaces
Gas fireplaces can run on natural gas and propane. Many models can run on both models, after some small adaptations.
Though some gas fireplace inserts and the decorative gas fireplaces are unvented, most gas fireplaces are vented to reduce the risk of health hazards (venting can be achieved by B-venting or direct-venting, using holes in the walls behind the fireplace).
See: Best Gas Fireplaces and Efficient Gas Stoves
Types of electric fireplaces
All electric fireplaces are unvented and safe (a major advantage of electric heating...). They can be decorative (flame-only units) or also heating units; they can be an electric insert (mounted in a traditional firebox of a traditional fireplace) or units mounted in walls, corners, etc.
Types of decorative fireplaces
Decorative fireplaces are intended to create a cozy ambiance in the house. To achieve it, the quality of the flame they produce is crucial. They can be electric (the best and safest type of decorative fireplaces), gas or gel…
See, for details: Decorative Gas Logs, Gel and Electric Fireplaces
See also: