Gas Burning Fireplaces

  If you’re dreaming about adding a gas fireplace to your home, you’re not alone. Gas fireplaces are tremendously popular because they create ambiance and warmth with the flip of a wall switch or remote control. They are both convenient and beautiful.

Purchasing a fireplace is not something we do every day, so you may have questions. It’s smart to do your research. Whether you are adding a fireplace to an existing home or having one installed in a newly constructed a new home, our experts suggest that you consider these important questions…

1. What style of fireplace do you want? 

2. What are your heating efficiency requirements? 

3. Do you want a direct vented or unvented gas fireplace? 

4. What is your budget? 

5. What is the return on investment? 

    If you care about the ROI of your home improvement projects, you’ll be happy to know that fireplaces pay off. Also, according to the Residential Cost Handbook, a gas fireplace has the potential to add an average of $5,900 to the value of a home. Therefore when it comes time to sell, homes with gas fireplaces have an advantage.

Most people agree that a fireplace makes a house feel more like a home. Ask yourself these questions and then visit a hearth dealer that carried Heatilator to learn more.

Have fun shopping for your perfect gas fireplace!

• Vent-free gas fireplace – this is a fireplace that doesn’t need venting. It uses indoor air for combustion and emits gasses and water vapour into your home. These fireplaces don’t need a chimney or any other kind of venting.
• Direct-vent gas fireplace – this is a fireplace that has a sealed design. It doesn’t use indoor air for combustion nor does it emit gasses indoors. Instead, it vents directly outdoors either through the wall or ceiling.
• B-vent or natural draft gas fireplace – this is a type of fireplace with a vertical vent that carries hot gasses (and some heat) up and out of the house. The fireplace draws air for combustion from inside the house.

Discuss your situation with a licensed pro to determine the best type of gas fireplace to install. 

   Natural gas and propane are both clean fuels for gas fireplaces.Natural gas is a mixture of several gasses, with propane being one of them. At gas processing facilities, propane is separated and packaged for distribution.Propane is usually more expensive, but it packs more energy than natural gas. So you need less of it to keep the fireplace burning.Overall, however, most homeowners find natural gas to be more cost-effective.Propane is the more environment-friendly of the two fuels. It doesn’t cause greenhouse warming either before or after combustion.  

   They are very safe as long as they are correctly installed. Only hire a licensed pro to install a gas fireplace safely.Remember that gas fireplaces can get extremely hot, making them a hazard for curious kids and pets. If you have children or pets in the house, use a protective screen or pen.  

   Yes, you can. Just make sure they don’t interfere with the efficiency or safety of the fireplace.Some popular accessories include faux bricks, faux logs to make it look like a wood fireplace, decorative screens and fireplace media such as crystals and rocks.  

   Yes, most gas fireplaces allow you to change the level of heat output. You can lower or raise the thermostat depending on your heating needs.Check the user manual for instructions on how to adjust the heat for your specific model.