We find black soot in wash room, kitchen & other areas after 6 months, from our livingroom gas fire place.
It is the only source of heat in the apartment, except in the bedrooms are floor board electrical heaters .

The open-air balcony has the exit hub for the livingroom fire place, and the soot around that hub is even worse.

o.k. - The fire place has never been serviced since we moved in in 2003. Did I answer my own question? Can cleaning the fireplace make such a difference?

I was contemplating fuel cell residential heater, but I guess they are too expensive to get.

- Can electric fireplace be used for heating alternative?

Thanks for your co-operation.
Sincerely, Chris

Did I answer my own question ??

Probably. A proper running gas appliance should not soot up unless there is a problem with combustion air getting to the burner.

Can electric fireplace be used for heating alternative ??

Yes then it would be non vented and you would save more $$$ by not having a hole in the wall for a flue pipe sucking the heated air or combustion byproducts outside. Go electric in your situation.