Have you heard about the battle that is taking place in the fireplace world? Here in the U.S there is a debate that is heating up and it is over the future of gas fireplaces. The gas fireplace industry has come under scrutiny and if it wants to keep the fire lit will need to make some changes in order to be saved, considering Net Zero and other such policies have come into play. There are several battles that the gas fireplace industry is having to work their way out of, according to the Hearth, Patio and BBQ Association. The obstacles are going to ensure that they either make changes within the industry, or we may see an end to the gas fireplace all together. Here are a few of the issues at stake:
- Net Zero Laws. The new laws in this regard place energy requirements on gas and electric for all homes that are built from 2020 on. The law requires that the home not consume more energy than it can produce from the solar that it will have on the roof. While the gas fireplaces are not considered part of the heating system, they may require that the homeowner install additional solar panels in order to compensate for their energy usage. Considering the cost of solar panels and installation, it would likely turn most fireplace purchasers away from a gas model.
- No Burn Rules. Many cities around the country have established rules against burning wood. Some of these are on particular nights, if there are high winds, dry conditions, or for other reasons. The bottom line is that it may prevent people from being able to burn wood in fireplaces, leaving many people cold.
- Emissions Rules. Both the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency have been cracking down on emissions, especially from things like solid fuel appliances. The DOE has also created new rules regarding decorative gas appliances. The new rules place limits on gas fireplaces of 9,000 BTUs. This is an issue that will only make gas companies happy.
