Natural gas and propane fireplaces have become so ubiquitous, they have become the standard by which new heating technologies are judged by. I should differentiate between the two, although technologically there isn’t a perceptible difference.
Natural gas is an unrefined gas that is distributed through a grid of supply lines. It’s unrefined (hence the term ‘natural’), and so is arguably more environmentally friendly than propane which is a refined fuel. In reality, propane is often a by-product of the refining process, so you could argue that it’s just as ‘green’ since it’s a re-use of a waste product. Additionally, natural gas fireplaces burn just a little cleaner than propane fireplaces as propane can leave a thin oily residue that natural gas does not leave.
Propane fireplace coals - photo by Jenn Calder
Propane fireplaces can be converted to run on natural gas and vice versa. The main difference between the two is how the fuel is delivered to your home. Natural gas is a much more attractive solution in suburban settings where the grid infrastructure is in place. However, for people living in an urban setting, there is a very good chance that there is no access to the natural gas grid. In this case, propane is logical choice.
If you run a propane fireplace, you’ll need to have a tank installed on your property and have the fuel delivered. This is actually a positive thing for several reasons. People with propane fireplaces can heat their homes when the electricity goes out. Additionally, people who use natural gas fireplaces can lose their heat whenever construction on the gas-supply grid is required. Propane fireplaces do not have this problem since the fuel supply is localized. A final benefit that propane fireplaces provide is that it gives you more control over price fluctuations in the market. If you have a large tank, you can purchase several months of fuel for your propane fireplace in the summer when prices are low. This ensures you get the best price on fuel and don’t get surprised by price spikes.
Because the propane fireplace market is so mature, a buyer can customize their propane fireplace to their hearts content. Propane fireplaces come in a wide range of ambiance; all the way from a mechanical, blue flame to a very real simulation of burning logs. Propane fireplaces come in just about every available size, shape, and installation method. This includes fireplace inserts, free standing fireplaces, and even portable heaters. In fact, propane ventless fireplaces and heaters are also available in all these sizes and types too. A good propane fireplace manufacturer will let you customize the logs, the heat, the size, and mantel.
A propane fireplaces high efficiency, zero mess, and ability to work without electricity make it a very attractive option. Propane ventless fireplaces burn an extremely hot flame in order to achieve near 100% efficiency. As a result, this flame is not as decorative as a direct vent fireplace. A direct vent natural gas or propane fireplace is a little more than 80% efficient. Comparing this with the maximum efficiency of about 70% of a wood burning stove as well as the mess that wood fuel and ash leave behind, explains why the adoption of propane fireplaces has been so widespread.
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