Heating your home with a gas fireplace
Although they have been around for quite some time, gas fireplaces have become quite popular with homeowners because they are energy efficient and cost effective. Not only are they convenient because they burn fuel and not wood, but homeowners don’t have to worry about ash and soot. Its main safety feature is its sealed combustion unit which reduces the threat of flue gases spilling into the room. Direct vent fireplaces draw combustion air from outside while venting to the same outside atmosphere. So they are not consuming the hot air inside the house.
Gas fireplaces run on natural gas or propane and come with many attractive features, such as gas logs that look like real wood. You can choose between oak, pine, birch, fruitwood etc… The gas logs are made of ceramic and not only look real but also produce a great fire. Many gas fireplaces come with a remote control or are operated through the use of a wall switch that allows the homeowner to enjoy them as much or as little as they want. Finally, gas fireplaces provide an alternate source of light and heat during a power outage.
For those people who have decided to purchase a gas fireplace for their homes, here are some things to consider during the installation process. Before installing your gas fireplace, you must consider the location of the framing and ceiling joists in relation to the location of the fireplace. Since gas fireplaces do not require clearance at the back and sides, they are ideal for small spaces. However, there are other clearances that must be respected for the vent pipe depending on the configuration. Gas fireplaces should consult their instruction and installation manuals for more information on specific clearances.
Fireplaces are the natural focal point of any room and are usually located in the center of the room and need to be considered before installing. They must be installed by qualified technicians. With direct vent gas fireplaces, technicians will be able to install the necessary vent piping for safe and proper use. The unique venting process allows them to be vented vertically through the roof or horizontally through an exterior wall.
Another aesthetically pleasing feature of a gas fireplace is its glass doors. Glass doors enhance your natural beauty and allow friends and family to safely enjoy the view by reducing the chances of burns. They act as a barrier and prevent roaming children and pets from coming into contact with the gas logs inside the fireplace. Installing glass doors alone does not always prevent burns. A gas fireplace door can heat up to over 200º F in about 6 minutes. (Children’s Hospital Colorado) Owners should take extra care and use a barrier or gate for additional protection against burns.
Most new fireplaces usually come with their own glass doors. However, if you want to install glass doors on an existing fireplace, you will probably have to retrofit them. Installing a glass door requires placing the door unit in the firebox opening and fixing it to the masonry. For fireboxes made of rough-textured material, such as Fieldstone, standard doors are not a good choice because they cannot overlap the edge of the opening. For older fireplaces, you may want to take care during installation when drilling into the brick as it may have become brittle over the years. Qualified technicians have the experience and knowledge to safely and properly install glass doors on all types of surfaces.