What Are Eco Friendly Fireplaces?

In today's environmentally conscience world, standard wood burning fireplaces are becoming a thing of the past. They are being replaced by new kinds of vent less fireplaces that burn clean fuel, look attractive and supply heat energy for your home. The new vent less fireplaces can be found in many styles, colors, and sizes to fit in with any decor and type of home. Some don't require any installation at all and can be moved from room to room.

Electric fireplaces are one style of vent less fireplace that are good for small apartments or condos. These units require almost no maintenance and installation. All you need to do is plug them into your wall plug and turn it on. Viola, you have some heat. Most electric fireplaces come equipped with a blower that can blow the warmth throughout the room or apartment. Electric fireplaces come in a variety of styles like TV stand fireplaces, upright finished wood fireplaces with mantel, and wall-mounted fireplaces.

Gel fireplaces are another kind of vent less fireplace that burn a superior quality alcohol-based gel that doesn't give off any toxic fumes or leave any ash. Like the electrical fireplace, they come in numerous styles, shapes, and sizes. The gel comes in a canister that burns for about 2-3 hours at a time. The thing that's different about gel fuel fireplaces is that they crackle like a real wood fire. These fireplaces are also available in traditional mantel styles as well as, wall-mounted and table top units. They come in many modern designs too if that's your thing.

Ethanol based fuel fireplaces burn 100% renewable bio fuel from renewable materials such as corn. Denatured ethanol as it's called is even cleaner than the ethanol that goes in your car's gas tank. It burns clean leaving only water vapor and carbon dioxide, leaving no soot or ash residue. Ethanol is readily available at most fireplace retailers and online at places like Amazon.

If you curently have a wood burning fireplace, consider getting a fireplace insert to increase efficiency. Fireplace inserts are designed to fit into your existing wood fireplace. They are fireproof and well insulated with steel or cast iron to create a closed combustion system. This traps the heat and a blower will blow the heat out into the home. You can also purchase electric or gel fireplace inserts that don't emit any fumes and don't require any venting. These are a very convenient and economical solution to transition from a wood burning fireplace to a more eco-friendly method.Time for you to get on the band wagon and move into the 21st century.

Paul Stevens is author/publisher of a buyers' guide to eco-friendly Flame Fireplaces