Running a gas furnace is mechanically more efficient than a gas fireplace. Modern furnaces convert 90%–98% of their fuel into usable heat, while gas fireplaces usually operate at 50%–80% efficiency, meaning more heat is lost up the chimney.
A modern furnace is more efficient in turning gas into heat than a gas fireplace. This means that although a furnace costs more to run per hour than a gas fireplace, it turns more of that energy into heat and can warm a whole house rather than a single room.
On average, you can expect to pay between $0.20 and $0.50 per hour to operate a gas fireplace in the US. For a month with 4 hours of usage per day, this translates to $24 - $60.
If that's your only propane appliance, a 100-gallon tank will at least two years. A propane fireplace uses about 200 gallons a year. A traditional water heater burns about 1.5 gallons of propane a day, or about 200-300 gallons per year.
Sleeping in the same room as an open flued gas appliance (back boiler or gas fire) contravenes the gas safety regulations and puts your life in danger. If you are found to be sleeping in the same room as an open flued appliance during one of our visits, your gas heating appliance will be capped off for safety reasons.
So, if you use your gas appliance for 2 hours a day. The total running cost of it would be: 30.36p (cost per hour) x 2 hours (number of hours in use) = 60.72p for 2 hours.
Short answer: people are ditching fireplaces. From dodging draughts and dust to embracing cleaner, cheaper heating, old hearths are out and modern solutions like Electric Fire Suites are in. Keep reading to explore the lifestyle, health, and eco reasons behind this cosy-but-smart home trend.
On average, a propane fireplace uses about one gallon of propane for every 100,000 BTUs. Most fireplaces are rated between 20,000 and 40,000 BTUs per hour. That means you can expect your fireplace to use about a half gallon to just under one gallon of propane per hour of operation.
100-Pound Tanks
If you do not have your 100-pound tank filled on-site, it needs to be 3 feet from all building openings and 5 feet away from any ignition source, direct vent intakes and mechanical air intakes.
100 lb Tanks
Refueling a 100 lb tank (approximately 25 gallons) usually costs approximately $70 at refill locations. Handling may cost extra with some suppliers because of the size of the tank.
Natural gas is usually the cheapest way. Even with higher gas prices, a heating system fueled by natural gas is typically less than electricity, propane, or heating oil. Energy efficiency is another way to assess the cost of a heating system. An energy-efficient heating system saves you money on your heating bill.
On average, the cost of running a gas fireplace ranges from $0.30 to $1.50 per hour. If used for about four hours a day, this can add $36 to $180 to your monthly energy bill. The cost to run a gas fireplace is typically lower than traditional wood-burning options, as gas burns cleaner and requires less maintenance.
Generally speaking, it is good to err on the side of caution. Don't run your propane gas fireplace for more than 2 or 3 hours at a time. And never run your fireplace all day or all night long.
The cheapest way to heat a house depends on your local utility rates and climate, but natural gas furnaces offer the lowest monthly operating costs. If gas isn’t an option, high-efficiency electric heat pumps provide the cheapest continuous heating.
Gas fireplaces: the cons
It costs an average of $0.30 to $0.70 per hour to run a natural gas fireplace, and $1.00 to $2.30 per hour for propane. The exact price depends on your local utility rates, the size of your fireplace, and the type of gas it uses.
On the other hand, if you had a 100 gallon propane tank which holds about 80 gallons (80 percent of it's capacity when full) and a 20,000 BTU fireplace that ran 12 hours a day, the propane would last about 30.5 days.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating a home with propane has cost far less than heating with electricity. Over time, propane water heaters can cost one-third less to operate and recover water twice as quickly as electric water heaters – saving you money!
Choosing between an above ground and underground propane tank comes down to aesthetics, budget, and local climate. Above ground tanks are cheaper, easier to install, and simpler to maintain. Underground tanks are completely hidden and maintain steady gas pressure in freezing climates, but require expensive excavation.
On average, it takes 2.67 gallons of propane per day to heat a 2,000-square-foot home. Propane usage can vary based on the climate and how often you run your furnace. Even so, most homeowners in a 2,000-square-foot house end up using about 800 gallons of propane in a year.
Distance from Structures
A tank with a capacity of up to 500 gallons must be at least 10 feet away from any structure (house, shed, etc.) and property lines.
Heating accounts for the majority of residential propane usage, and depending on where you live, your winter consumption could be 3–5x your summer rate. Here's a simplified seasonal breakdown for a home that uses propane for heating: Winter (Dec–Feb): 50–60% of annual propane use.
The smell of burning gas can cause sensitivity, headaches, and other issues in some people. This can especially be the case with vent-free gas logs. These types of logs don't have a chimney or vent to remove the fumes produced by the fire, so the smell is typically stronger.
A 250-gallon propane tank (which holds roughly 200 usable gallons due to the 80% fill rule) typically lasts 1 to 2 months for a household using it for central heating, cooking, and water heating during winter. If used only for cooking and water heating, the tank can last 6–10 months.