In recent years, there have been a lot of news stories about the health risks posed by gas stoves in North American homes. This naturally leads to questions about all gas appliances, like furnaces, water heaters, and fireplaces. If these stories have led you to question the safety of your gas fireplace, you may be looking for alternatives, and possibly asking, ‘Are electric fireplaces bad for your health?’ Below, we’re summarizing the latest information on the health effects of both gas and electric fireplaces, so you can make an informed decision about which is best for you.
Let’s begin by answering, ‘How are gas fireplaces bad for your health?’
Risk of burns on gas fireplaces
According to MyHealth.Alberta, the front glass on gas fireplaces poses a serious burn risk, especially to children:
- The glass on a gas fireplace heats up to over 200°C (400°F) in minutes and stays hot long after the fireplace is turned off.
- It takes less than a second for the hot glass of a gas fireplace to cause a serious burn.
- Burns caused by touching the glass on a gas fireplace can be serious enough to need surgery or cause long-term problems.
Another article from the American Academy of Pediatrics, further spells out the burn risks to children, and describes it as an ‘Under-recognized Winter Risk’. In 2015, new safety standards were introduced, requiring safety barriers on glass-fronted gas fireplaces, as well as warning labels about the burn risk posed by these fireplaces. The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA) website has an entire section dedicated to this topic, with lots of safety advice for owners of gas fireplaces.
Where burns are concerned, are electric fireplaces bad for your health? No! The front glass on an electric fireplace does not reach the super-heated level required to cause serious burns on contact. Whether the heat is on or not, the flames are not the source of heat on an electric fireplace, so the glass will not get hot. However, with the heater on, the metal grille where the heat comes out will get hot enough to be uncomfortable, leaving us enough time to remove our fingers before we get burned.
Risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from gas fireplaces
In a March-2023 article, Canary Media notes that carbon monoxide, causes at least 420 accidental poisoning deaths each year in the United States. According to the North East Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association, gas-powered heating appliances emit carbon monoxide, a toxic byproduct of combustion that can cause brain damage and heart problems that can sometimes be fatal… if they’re properly vented, allowing those toxins to disperse into the air outside, the impact of gas furnaces, water heaters, and fireplaces on indoor air quality should be minimal. This is just one of the reasons that most building codes require most gas-powered appliances to be vented. However, the U.S. allows unvented gas fireplaces in certain situations. And according to this same article, even vented gas fireplaces, furnaces, and water heaters can harm indoor air quality if they are installed improperly, or if vents and chimneys get blocked. It’s clear that homeowners must be vigilant about servicing and maintaining their gas fireplaces, and vents, to prevent the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
When it comes to carbon monoxide poisoning, are electric fireplaces bad for your health? No! Electric fireplaces are not burning gas, and therefore do not produce carbon monoxide, and do not need to be vented.
Risk of Nitrogen Dioxide leaks from gas fireplaces
The news stories centered around the release of nitrogen dioxide into indoor air, when gas stoves are in use, sparked the latest debate around the health effects of gas appliances. A 2022 CBC article explains how researchers were so alarmed by the levels of nitrogen dioxide produced by gas stoves, that they were changing their own appliances to electric. It also mentions the dangers posed by exposure to nitrogen dioxide, including respiratory problems such as asthma and decreased lung function, especially in children. This article goes on to explain that while other appliances such as furnaces, water heaters and fireplaces burn gas, most — unlike stoves — are required to be vented outside. As with the risk of carbon monoxide, venting makes all the difference in the risk of nitrogen dioxide leaking from a gas fireplace.
In order to mitigate the health risks of carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide leakage in your home, the Canary Media article notes: People who are concerned about the impacts of these appliances in their homes can take steps to reduce the risk of indoor air pollution. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends installing a battery-powered carbon monoxide detector on each level of the home and having all gas-powered appliances professionally serviced each year.
With regards to nitrogen dioxide leaks, are electric fireplaces bad for your health? No! With an electric fireplace, there is no risk of nitrogen dioxide, or any other dangerous chemicals, polluting your indoor air or creating breathing difficulties, because they don’t burn any gas. In fact the Canary Media article notes, Another option for mitigating the risks posed by gas appliances is … buying and installing their electric counterparts.
Health Benefits of Fireplaces
Napoleon’s Power of Fire research has provided scientific proof that fireplaces can be good for our wellbeing. According to their research: At the University of Alabama, studies revealed that 15 minutes in front of a fireplace can actually lower blood pressure and decrease heart rate, which reduces the risk of stress-related health issues. At the University of Illinois, studies revealed that in front of a fire, overall cognitive performance improved by 12 percent, and adaptivity to enrichment-seeking activities (e.g. playing a game) increased. This promotes healthy aging and improved cognitive ability.
Best of all, any type of fireplace will relay these benefits. In fact, the studies were conducted with electric fireplaces. How the flames are created has no bearing on the health benefits achieved. So, if you are concerned about your gas fireplace being bad for your health, and you’re ready to go electric, you can enjoy all the health benefits without the risks.
Are electric fireplaces bad for your health? No! They are the healthiest of all types of fireplaces.