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28 BCA A .COM WINTER 2016 iStock Natural gas: warm and versatile Convenience, energy efficiency and a selection of installation and styling choices are what make natural gas fireplaces so popular. According to Natural Resources Canada, today's high- efficiency gas fireplaces use less fuel to supply heat compared to older models. As Koby puts it, "The majority of the money you're spending is coming back to you in the way of heat." There's no need to sacrifice style, either. You can stick with a traditional mantel and hearth, or forego them in favour of a long, linear-style fireplace with contemporary burners, and stones and glass instead of faux logs. The most minimalistic models resemble double-sided glass terrariums containing little more than flames – and look gorgeous mounted in divider walls. Not all natural gas fireplaces are created equal, however, Koby says. Inserts that slot into existing masonry hearths, MEMBERS SAVE BCAA Members save up to 15% on Home Insurance and enjoy exclusive benefits, like a $200 deductible, one-claim forgiveness and access to Premier packages, which offer enhanced coverage. bcaa.com/homeinsurance Choose the right fireplace to bring warmth and ambience to your home BY JANET GYENES Whether you want a modern, gas-fired flame flickering in a slim space or a traditional wood-burning model with a hefty hearth, there's a fireplace for every space. What you choose, however, depends on whether you're renovating, retrofitting or installing a fireplace in a newly constructed home, says Robert Koby, co-owner of Vancouver Gas Fireplaces. We cover the main options below. and feature open-flame fires, offer ambience but limited heat. By comparison, zero-clearance fireplaces, which have their own insulation (therefore requiring zero clearance space from combustible materials) and exhaust through an outer wall or the roof, can provide enough heat to dramatically reduce reliance on a furnace. Ethanol: dancing flames Chic hotels and restaurants often showcase open-flame fireplaces to dramatic effect. The look can easily be emulated with free-standing ethanol fireplaces, which don't require venting. "It's primarily a decorative element, not something you'd buy for heating," says Koby. Ethanol is clean-burning but there's the added requirement of purchasing fuel and refilling the fireplace. "If you use it a couple times a week in the evening it's fine, but if you're burning it all the time it's cost-prohibitive," he adds. All Fired Up

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