Fireplaces provide a great way to warm up and relax with your family members and guests after a long and tiring day. You take snacks, sip coffee or wine around the soothing fire. There are several types of fireplaces, wood fireplaces, vented gas fireplaces, ventless fireplaces, electric fireplaces, outdoor and portable fireplaces.

Portable fireplaces are available in unique decorative handcrafted styles. They are generally freestanding and, therefore, are easy to move. They do not have any chimney or flue.

They require no construction, installation or gas connection. They are non-toxic and offer clean, safe, comfortable, smoke and fume free environment.

They do not produce any soot, ash, dangerous sparks or any other mess that should be cleaned up. You need one, two or three cans of fuel at a time and emit beautiful natural flame.

Each can lasts two hours and may be stopped and rekindled any time.

Portable fireplaces are fueled by alcohol based gel. They can heat large rooms and give them romantic ambiance. They can be made of solid wood in attractive styles.

Ventless fireplaces generate lots of heat for a single room. They are not very expensive to install as compared to traditional gas and wood fireplaces as they do not need any flue, chimney or external venting ducts. They use natural gas or propane as fuel and burn the gas from air in the room.

Some people use ventless gas fireplaces as alternate source of heat for their bedrooms as they become cold during dry winter months. This is besides the fact that fireplaces make the room comfortable and act as colorful decoration pieces as well. All that is required is a propane delivery line from a tank or natural gas supply from your city.

Ventless gas fireplaces are becoming increasingly popular. You can select a ventless gas fireplace according to your heat requirements and budget. It must be known that heat is measured in BTUs and you have to consider a ventless gas fireplace in relation to your room. Do not install too big a ventless gas fireplace for too small a room and a too small for a big room.

They release lots of moisture, therefore, they increase humidity that may lead to the growth of mold and mildew.

Electric fireplaces, as the name suggests, run on electricity. They are a favorite source of heat and warmth due to their safety, convenience and low expenses.

Electric fireplaces require no special preparation for their installation. A standard household electrical outlet is just sufficient. They consume only a few cents worth of electricity per hour because of their flame only setting.

According to an estimate an electric fireplace can heat about a 400 square foot room with a 4,500-5,000 BTUs.

A fireplace insert is an appliance that slides into an existing masonry or zero clearance wood burning fireplace. The mechanism inside the insert collects heat and redistributes smokeless warm air into the room.

Fireplace inserts are designed to spruce up the appearance and operative efficiency of an existing fireplace whether it is built by a mason or in a factory.

Fireplace inserts are usually made up of cast iron or steel. They have self-cleaning glass doors. They create dancing flames of fire which you can view from the insulated doors that remain closed. This makes the fire more heat efficient. Some fireplace inserts come with state-of- the art features such as fans and thermostatic controls.

Fireplace inserts are an attractive option for those who have wood burning fireplaces. An insert can convert an occasional source of heat into a convenient, supplementary heating system which does not cost over much and protects you in the winter as well.