Chimney Care Company's Blog
All About Our Gas Products
There is no denying that gas-fueled heating products are easy to use, convenient, and mess-free. Along with this, they are known for being extra efficient, ensuring your living space stays as warm and cozy as possible, and they come in lots of size and style options, so finding the right fit for your unique tastes and preferences is never an issue.
All in all, gas appliances offer a modern, streamlined look to any home, and they don’t come with the mess, stress, and hassle that is involved with a wood-burning unit. They’re perfect for those with busy lifestyles, who may not have the time to commit to hauling and storing wood, scooping out ash, and building fires. Sound perfect for you? Give us a call, and we can set you up right in no time!
Now, we offer three types of gas products: fireplaces, stoves, or inserts. Learn more about each below, and please reach out with any questions you are experiencing. Our knowledgeable crew is happy to help!
Looking To Install A Fireplace?
Now, if you’re aiming for a traditional set-up and a more authentic feel, then a fireplace would be an excellent route to take. If you’re starting from scratch and you don’t have a chimney in your home, this is usually what we recommend. You are guaranteed a warm and relaxing ambiance without being forced to get off your couch and tend to a fire every so often, and we have countless design options from a long list of reputable brands, such as Hearthstone, Lopi, and more, so you are sure to find something to love in no time.
If you are new to the fireplace game, there’s no doubt that you have a lot of questions, and you may not know exactly where to begin. Just give us a call or reach out to us through our website. We’ll be with you from start to finish, so you are sure to be happy with your end product!
Interested In A Stove?
A stove also offers a lot of benefits. There is more flexibility in placement options, they are smaller in size, and they are known for being highly efficient. They also offer a great ambiance, and they come in a wide range of style options, whether you’re looking for something more simple and seamless or something more ornate.
Gas stoves are especially great for your home because they are simple to operate, and they will give your family the comfort they deserve on those cold, snowy evenings that are just around the corner. If this sounds like the best fit for your space, then reach out to our team. We’ll find the right model for your needs in a jiffy.
Would An Insert Work For Your Home?
Do you have an existing fireplace, but are interested in increasing efficiency or switching fuel types? Wood-burning fireplaces can easily be converted to gas fireplaces by adding an insert. These allow you to keep everything the same about the look of your fireplace, only you gain a lot more heat and there’s no more messing around with wood, ash, and smoke.
They also send out very few emissions into the environment, so you won’t need to stress about your carbon footprint, and they burn cleanly, too. All in all, this is a choice that most homeowners are very happy they went with. We only install products we believe in, so reach out as soon as you can to get something set up. Our crew is here and happy to help!
Finish Your Look With Gas Logs
If there’s one downside to switching to gas, it’s that you lose out on the more traditional vibes that a wood-burning unit is known to offer. It’s hard to match the sounds and smells associated with a real, crackling fire, but we offer gas logs that come very close. Our products look just like the real thing, and you can choose from a variety of options, too.
The products we sell here at Chimney Care Co. are made to match the look and texture of a real log as much as possible. There are all kinds of details in these models from charred areas to wood grains to knots and more, all of which ensure you get the pure, authentic feel you are aiming for.
Don’t Forgo Annual Care!
Now, many assume that, since gas appliances require far less maintenance on the part of the homeowner that they shouldn’t need annual inspections and regular care from a certified technician. This is far from true! Having a CSIA Certified chimney professional take a look is your best bet for avoiding bigger problems down the line, such as corrosion, gas leaks, cracks, decay, and more, and there are still many threats you could face even though you have a system that is functioning more efficiently than your previous one.
Get the care you deserve from our team of professionals today. We are certified with the CSIA, members of the HPBA, and winner of multiple awards from reputable sites like Angie’s List and HomeAdvisor. We are also accredited with the BBB, and our long list of 5-star reviews speak for themselves.
Ensure you are all set and ready for the holiday season by calling on our experts today. We’re eager to get started!
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.
Take Care of Your Gas Fireplace and It Will Take Care of You
Many homes have a gas fireplace. Unfortunately, homeowners generally don’t think about servicing them until something goes wrong, which is usually at the most inopportune time. Whether you take a few moments to check out some of the more obvious things yourself or schedule an appointment with a trusted fireplace service technician, both can save you a lot of frustration down the line.
Guidelines for Gas Fireplace Service
As you may or may not know, there are several different types of gas fireplaces, and the guidelines for servicing each is somewhat different. If a model has what is known as a standing pilot—the pilot light stays on all the time—the most important regular service item is the pilot assembly. Some units have a pilot light that’s only on when the unit is in use, while others use electronic ignition to light the burner directly without using a pilot system at all; both of these won’t need servicing quite as often.
For the last few decades, all unvented gas fireplaces and inserts as well as gas log sets have been manufactured with an Oxygen Depletion Sensor (ODS) to ensure safe operation of the appliance; these sensors should be cleaned every year to keep the system from becoming more sensitive and/or causing nuisance shutdowns. If you are particularly handy—one capable of changing you own oil or the spark plugs in your car without breaking something—you should be able to handle this task; however, if you are the slightest bit apprehensive about handling anything dealing with gas, it’s best to leave this to a trained, experienced professional.
The goal is to clear out the accumulation of sediment in the tiny pilot opening. A can of compressed air can be used with the included straw to direct air toward the opening to clean it out. If you opt to do this yourself, remember to make sure the pilot is OFF. If the pilot assembly is at least five years old or if you live close to salt water, this method might not be as effective as it once was, leaving you needing to seek professional assistance anyway!
Gas Fireplace Cleaning Needs
Unvented logs are designed to burn very cleanly; as such, if you notice any black sooty deposits on your logs, it is best to stop using them immediately to make sure your logs and/or burner are set up correctly. If you aren’t absolutely sure that everything is correct, please refrain from using your fireplace until you can have a professional technician evaluate the situation for you.
Other fireplace options and gas log sets need cleaning, too, but perhaps not as often depending on the frequency of their use. Vented gas logs should be cleaned regularly if there is any sooty buildup present; there are commercially available sprays on the market to assist with this task if you are comfortable doing so. If at any point you are unsure or the least bit apprehensive, it is best to err on the side of caution and contact a professional to handle the work on your behalf.
Direct vent gas fireplaces have fixed glass panels that will likely need annual cleaning to stay clear. If the glass is collecting a black residue (soot), the fireplace should be adjusted to remedy this issue. If the glass has a gray or white film, however, there is no need to worry; there are chemical compounds in the gas itself that produce the residue (this is completely normal). The use glass cleaners containing ammonia is a huge no-no. Water and a soft cloth will usually suffice as long as you make this is part of your regular cleaning routine; adding a little vinegar to the water may save you a little elbow grease. Tougher deposits may require special fireplace glass cleaner to ensure that the job is done properly. Don’t forget to dry your glass completely and check for streaks and fingerprints before re-installing the glass!
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. To schedule an appointment, please give us a call at 513-248-9600 or click here. We appreciate your business and look forward to helping you keep your family safe and warm for years to come!