More Useful Information

 Pros:                                                                                                   Cons:

• Aesthetics of the fire - smell,                                                        --  Cleaning the fireplace, hauling      crackling sound, glow                                                                          ashes, sooting
  
• The experience of chopping wood                                              --  Cost of wood is greater than gas and                                                                                                                    actually building a fire                                                                                                                        in most areas and is rising  
  
• Firewood is more readily available in                                          --  Requires a chimney, chase,                  some areas                                                                                        footings, etc.
  
• Can be used to supplement the                                                   --  May cause odors and particulate  furnace to heat home, reduce                                                                            in the air                                                heating bills                                                                                       --  Requires continuous                                                                                                                                                          maintenance to keep fire burning                                                                                                                            --  Peaks and valleys in heat output

 Pros:                                                                                               Cons:

• Clean burning                                                                                 --  Pellet appliances are usually more
  
• Allows extended burn times                                                            expensive than wood
  
• Can be mixed 50/50 with corn                                                --  Consumers can't get "free" pellets
  
• Easy to store                                                                                        like they can wood
• Pellets are readily available, found                                          --  Pellet appliances require                                    in most hardware stores                                                 electricity to operate
  
• Some pellet appliances are self-                                             --  Pellet appliances historically                  lighting and run off a room                                                      require the most service and                  thermostat                                                                                  maintenance

 Pros:                                                                                                                       Cons:

• Easiest fireplace product to install                                                                --  Not as realistic looking               just plug it in                                                                                         --  Lower heat output
• Portable                                                                                                               --  Depending on local rates can  
  
• Convenient                                                                                                                 be expensive to operate 
  
• Can be "installed" by anyone, no                                                                                                                       training required
  
• Ideal for apartments, condominiums                                                                                                               lobbies, etc.