Gas fireplaces have been around for a very long time. They are convenient and quiet. They do not require wood on the side nor matches to use. You do not have to clean them out and can in fact generate a lot of heat. The major drawback is that they are also dependant on a supply of either natural gas or LP (propane) gas to operate. Another huge problem with them is that they are NOT useable for wood fires AT ALL!!!
Wood fireplaces are designed to allow heat and fumes, ash and smoke to escape the combustion chamber and out of the building. Without doing this, the end result will be getting smoked out. This old term is literal in its meaning. That is that being smoked out is a good way to get people out of a confined area. Police use this tactic all the time. The smoke is going to fill an area with noxious and un breathable fumes and particles. This causes our natural reflex to want to escape in order to breathe and survive.
With a fireplace, inadequate exhaust of these aspects (smoke fumes etc.) will lead to oxygen deprivation, smoke inhalation and eventual death. Thus, a wood fireplace is something with a lot of ambiance and tradition but with serious hazards.
With gas much of that is eliminated.
Gas fireplaces on the other hand usually have a very small vent or no venting at all.
Such systems are quite popular and common in many urban and sub-urban areas. They are easy to install, wood fireplaces can be converted to such and in many cases are clean, practical way to have a fireplace. No wood, no mess, no fuss. This seems very attractive to those who want the ambiance of a fireplace without the mess. Sounds like a good idea. But there are some major drawbacks to such especially if utilities are not present. Plus, unless you have a converted wood fireplace with all the parts still attached and functioning, you should NOT under ANY circumstances use a gas fireplace with wood PERIOD!
Here is the reason why. Gas fireplaces in many cases have a small vent either directly behind it that vents to the outside, or has a small vent that acts like a chimney going out of the house. The size of this vent tube is usually around 1 inch in diameter. The problem here is that any soot from combustion will build up VERY quickly and clog the pipe. In addition, the pipe is designed only to vent small amounts of gasses that are rated at lower temperatures than that of a fireplace. This can lead to disaster if it clogs, either by affixation or fire. Additionally, many newer gas systems have NO vent at all, and thus any burning of material of any kind will vent into the house. This is obviously extraordinarily dangerous. Even the burning of paper can be very dangerous in a gad fireplace.
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