Chimney Care Company's Blog

Not All Gas Logs Are the Same

Gas logs have so many benefits that it is hard to know where to start. Installation is simple, and their presence easily adds ambiance to a room. It takes mere seconds to start a fire, and requires much less maintenance than a conventional wood fireplace. The benefits of having gas logs in your fireplace is obvious, but many don’t know all the various options that are available for those looking to change or upgrade from their current situation.

Vented Gas Logs:

When selecting a gas log set, consider where they will be located. Do you have a fireplace that you want to upgrade or do you want a fire that doesn’t require ventilation? This will be the main factor in determining if you need vented or vent-free gas logs. Vented gas logs act like a wood fire, just without the ash, the smoke, and the hassle. It still emits some fumes, so a fireplace that has a functioning, well-maintained chimney attached is a must. Just like a wood-burning fire, the damper of the chimney must remain open while the gas fire is on.

Vent-Free Gas Logs:

When you want to add a heat source and instant coziness to a room, a set of vent-free gas logs in an approved vent-free firebox that channels the heat directly into the room, but still protects you and your home. It doesn’t require a chimney, but keep in mind that gas lines will still need to be run into the firebox.

Other options:

Technology has spoiled us in the last few years, providing us with a variety of options for the logs and the firebox itself. Depending on the decor and feel of the room, the clay, cement, or ceramic logs can be made to resemble a variety of different woods, and can even be shaped to look like both split and whole logs, complete with knots and bark. You also have the option to choose the type and height of flame that is produced, as well as the pattern in which it burns. The flames can be produced by a manual or electronic ignition, and lit with a match or even a remote control. To even further add options, glowing embers can be activated and gravel or sand can be added underneath to complete the look. Gas logs have none of the fuss of building an actual fire, but all of the little details that add to the ambiance.

Gas logs can easily take the place of a wood-burning fireplace with their ease of use and convenience, but it is still important to keep your chimney and fireplace swept and inspected. You may be warm and cozy inside, but your chimney is still out in the elements. Give us a call today to schedule your appointment for a sweeping and to look into your options for changing to a gas log set before the winter months hit us.

Why Not Convert Your Existing Fireplace to Gas?

The mere thought of converting a classic wood-burning fireplace to gas is borderline blasphemous to some fireplace purists. Still, this has been a common route for many homeowners in recent years. Mull over these facts about wood-burning fireplaces as you continue with your decision-making process:

• Wood fires may warm your heart and soul, but they don’t actually heat your living space. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a traditional wood-burning fireplace draws in as much as 300 cubic feet per minute of heated room air for combustion, and then, with a crackle, straight up your chimney it goes.
• Wood fires may expose you and everyone in your home to large quantities of toxic byproducts, including respiratory irritants, carcinogens and deadly carbon monoxide. The EPA warns of other health dangers, namely asthma, reproductive issues and birth defects.
• Wood smoke is a large contributor to air pollution — so much so that some localities ban the use of all wood burning, both inside and out, when pollution reaches a specified level.
• Your house is in danger should the creosote, a tarry byproduct of wood smoke, ignite inside your chimney. According to the CSIA, chimney fires are the cause of over 25,000 house fires in the U.S. each year, resulting in millions of dollars in property damage — as well as tragic loss of life.
• Traditional fireplaces are high-maintenance and require a lot of your time and energy to operate.Some homeowners eventually give up on their wood-burning fireplaces altogether. Henceforth, it sits empty; the coziness it provided becomes a mere memory. Converting to gas can be an acceptable alternative since it allows you to regain much of the aforementioned coziness and, in some cases, the lost heat as well. Continue reading as we cover the three most popular options available to you, should you decide to go this route.

ARE YOU CONSIDERING A GAS LOG SET?

If you’re in the market for a realistic-looking wood-fire substitute at a budget friendly price ($100-$1,200 depending on the scope of the job), a vented gas log set will fit the bill quite nicely. The logs can simulate many different species of wood, and the flame and embers are pretty similar to their real-wood counterparts. They are convenient—no stacking, chopping or hauling wood is required. Some models even come with remote-controlled ignitions and adjustable flame controls, and none leave behind a mess. However, because gas logs have the same open combustion as wood, many of the same dangers and health hazards exist. The damper on your chimney must remain permanently open as the fire continually draws in your room’s air; some manufacturers even recommend keeping a window cracked during use of their vented gas logs. In addition to the obvious hazard of an open flame, older or defective vented log sets can circulate explosive gas into the air. Vented gas logs are an economical, convenient replacement for those of you who are looking for the ambiance of real-wood units without the cleanup hassles associated with them. Keep in mind, however, that they are practical only for their ambiance.

ARE YOU CONSIDERING A GAS INSERT?

These units are the most appealing and sensible solution for a wood-to-gas conversion, but they have a much higher price tag associated with them ($2,000-$4,000 depending on the scope of the job). Springing for a gas insert can provide you with a beautiful fireplace that incorporates all of the desirable features that their wood-burning counterparts lack. Unlike vented gas logs, inserts are actually more like heaters that operate at around 85% efficiency. They exhaust air to the outside, keeping byproducts out of your house and hourly operating costs to a few cents. As a natural gas product, they also add little in the line of outdoor pollution. Remote control operation adds another level of convenience. Their flames and glowing embers are every bit as mesmerizing as those of a wood fire. No electricity is required to run the majority of gas inserts, which is a huge plus in the event of a power outage; you’ll still be able to snuggle up with that special someone.

When you start to weigh the deciding factors — convenience, ecology, safety, health, efficiency and ambiance — converting your wood-burning fireplace to gas makes sense. The first step is to make peace with the past and your attachment to your wood-burning fireplace. It’s all down hill from there! Be sure to buy the correct-sized log set or insert for your specific space, as using a heater with greater heat output than recommended may be harmful to your health. Come by our showroom to start shopping today. We’re standing by to help you through the entire wood-to-gas conversion process.

Direct Vent Gas vs. Vent Free Gas – What’s the Difference?

People have been enjoying the warmth of a crackling wood fire since long before they even had a fireplace in which to burn it. As wonderful as wood is, however, many have grown tired of the messy ash that is left behind. Needless to say, the love affair many have had with wood-burning fireplaces has burned out. Fortunately, there’s a relatively painless solution to this problem—converting from a wood-burning to a gas-burning fireplace. This conversion will likely provide you with more free time as well, as it will relieve you of your wood hauling, cutting, and stacking duties. No more wood-induced backaches for you!

Gas log sets come in two basic varieties, vented log sets and vent-free log sets. A vented gas log must be used in a regular fireplace, designed to burn a wood fire, and run with the damper fully open; vented log sets have the option of connecting to a manual on/off valve (which is lit with a match) or can be connected to a manual safety pilot or a millivolt pilot valve. Vent-free gas logs can be used in a regular fireplace or in approved vent-free firebox enclosures. Because they don’t require you to open a damper, more heat is sent directly into the room as opposed to up the chimney.

When shopping for a gas log set, there are several things to consider. Remember, good things are seldom cheap and cheap things are seldom good. A cheap price usually means something is missing or the set is of lower quality, whereas higher priced log sets have more detail to their logs and better burner systems, thereby producing a larger and more visually-appealing flame pattern. It is also important to get a log set that is properly sized to your fireplace. The log size you can use in your fireplace should meet the following minimum dimensions:

• A front-opening dimensions of your fireplace should provide a minimum of 2”-6” on each side of the nominal log set size. Translation: if you’re planning to use a 24” log set, the front opening dimension of your fireplace should be at least 28”.
• The rear dimensions of your fireplace should not be less than the nominal log set size. Translation: if you’re planning to use a 24” log set, the rear dimensions should be at least 24” wide.

No matter which option you choose, however, there are some important things to consider. Check with your local building and/or codes officials to determine the necessary permits, applicable fees, requirements, and restrictions. Remember to have all work involving the actual gas lines themselves done by a licensed professional. Purchase the manufacturer’s recommended log set/insert for your space. Always follow the manufacturer’s scheduled maintenance and inspection recommendations to ensure you get the most out of your investment. Keeping these considerations in mind will help to provide you with the best opportunity to rekindle the love you once had for your fireplace.

Here at Chimney Care Company, your family’s sense of security and safety is important to us, which is why we’ve spent the last 25 years installing, repairing, cleaning and maintaining the chimneys, fireplaces and dryer vents of our neighbors in Cincinnati, southwest Ohio and northern Kentucky. Whatever your fireplace, chimney or dryer vent needs, if you’re looking for high-quality, professional services from industry experts, you’ve come to the right place. To schedule an appointment, please give us a call. We appreciate your business and look forward to helping you keep your family safe and warm for years to come!