As the weather grows colder, you may be thinking about how you and your family will stay warm this winter. But the costs of heating can add up quickly if you haven’t looked into the most efficient way of keeping your home warm. So, maybe you’re wondering what the most cost-effective heating for a home is in Australia. If you’re in the market for a new source of warmth in your living space, fireplaces and heaters are two of the most popular options.
On long, cold nights, both fireplaces and heaters will provide you with dependable heat sources. But there’s more than functionality to consider when making your choice from the available home heating options. You might be drawn to a wood fireplace’s traditional and rustic aesthetics or the ease of a gas or electric heater. Your tastes, your preferences, your budget, and the amount of time you’re willing to spend on maintenance all play a part in selecting the right heating source.
Sydney’s leading fireplace retailer, Home Fires, can help you make your mind up by looking at the two leading home heating options: fireplaces and heaters. We’ll examine the look, feel, practicality, and upkeep of each, as well as the always-important question: What is the most cost-effective heating option for a home in Australia?
Fireplaces Vs Heaters: Initial & Running Cost
It’s not just the cost of the heater or the fireplace itself that needs to factor into your budget. There are always upfront and ongoing operational costs to consider, from delivery and installation to cleaning and repairs.
Fireplaces are generally more expensive to set up than heaters, although there is a wide range of variations based on the style, brand, and type of fireplace, plus other factors. There are a plethora of options when it comes to fireplaces, with wood-burning fireplaces the most expensive. While ventless or direct-vent gas fireplaces don’t require a chimney or flue, the installation of a gas line and other necessary modifications still run up some costs. Although fireplaces may be at the higher end of the expensive scale to initially set up, gas and wood fireplaces are typically inexpensive to run, with gas being the cheapest option when considering running costs.
Electric fireplaces are far more affordable to purchase and install. They also don’t require the ongoing purchase of fuel. However, they will contribute to your electricity bill, unlike wood-powered fireplaces. Electric fireplaces come with higher price tags than heaters. However, as well as being heart sources, they also serve as home décor elements that contribute to the value of your place.
Heaters are a lot cheaper to set up than fireplaces. However, using them continually over winter (especially if your home is not well-insulated) can increase your power bill.
Fireplaces Vs Heaters: Energy & Heating Efficiency
A well-maintained wood fireplace fuelled by quality wood has a decent level of energy efficiency. Fireplaces use a combination of radiant heating, which warms up objects in the room, and convection heating, which warms the air. Though some of the heat vanishes up the chimney, there’s more than enough of it remaining to heat up your living space. Wood-burning heaters look similar to traditional fireplaces but are built to maximise efficiency and minimise emissions.
The efficiency of a heater depends on its make, model, and size. Both heaters and fireplaces are more effective at heating specific rooms than entire houses. Both provide a comfortable ambience. Heaters use electricity, but if high power bills are a concern for you, there are ways you can save money while using heaters.
Fireplaces Vs Heaters: Aesthetics
For some, nothing quite replaces the down-to-earth, time-honoured look of a traditional wood fireplace. While it’s a hard-to-replicate aesthetic, electric fireplaces are bridging the gap with ultra-realistic customisable screens—you’ll swear those glowing embers are the real deal!
While wood heaters come in quite striking traditional designs like the “pot belly” look, and most electric fireplaces are breaking new ground in terms of realism, electric heaters aren’t really about aesthetics. However, you can still find many small but powerful electric heaters that fit right into your modern home in a sleek and inconspicuous fashion.
Fireplaces Vs Heaters: Maintenance
Wood fireplaces require regular cleaning, at least once a week, if you use them regularly. This is essential to remove the soot, ash, creosote, and other debris that accumulates with use. You should also check the chimney regularly for any signs of cracks or damage and schedule an annual inspection for damage or build-up.
While heaters and electric fireplaces don’t require the same level of upkeep, depending on the model, you may still need to take some steps to maintain them. You may have to clean the ducts, replace the air filter, check for adequate ventilation, or (for certain kinds of heaters) check the fuel and gas lines. The retailer and instruction manual should provide you with everything you need to know about heater maintenance.
Stay Warm This Winter with Home Fires
Are you already feeling the chill in the air? The first step to staying warm throughout winter is to look at the range of heaters and fireplaces on the Home Fires website.
With Home Fires, you can shop all the leading brands under one roof, including Masport Heating, Rinnai, Regency, Heatmaster, Escea, Beef Eater, Nectre and more. Embrace rustic allure and natural warmth with one of our wood heaters or wood-burning fireplaces. Keep it simple and stylish while creating an inviting atmosphere with a gas fireplace. Our electric fireplaces will warm your home with just the press of a button, and you still get to enjoy a traditional fireplace look and feel.
Home Fires has been a trusted household name, bringing comfort and warmth to the people of Sydney for more than 40 years. To see our range for yourself, drop into our Minto or Casula locations or contact the Home Fires team.
