Gas fireplaces are perfect if you have a busy lifestyle. You will no longer have to bring in logs, scoop ashes, or clean your chimney. A gas fireplace will not add pollutants to the air and can be turned on and off instantly. It also adds much more heat to a room than a wood burning fireplace. Converting a wood burning fireplace to a gas fireplace is not as difficult as you might imagine and will add to the value of your home.
A very easy and economical way to convert a wood burning fireplace to a gas fireplace is to install gas logs. These units have logs made out of ceramic with burners underneath them. They are made to look like real logs that are burning. Installation is simple as all you need are holes for the gas supply line and electricity for the ignition. Gas logs will not add a lot of heat to a room and are usually purchased to replicate the look of a wood burning fireplace.
The other option is to buy and install a gas fireplace insert. This is the more energy efficient option as more energy will be sent into the room as heat. An insert consists of a metal box, called a firebox, with a log set and gas burners inside it. This metal box is enclosed in a second box with only a layer of air between them. This is the air that will be heated and sent into the room. The insert will be designed to fit perfectly into your existing fireplace. It has leveling legs to make sure the insert is centered in the fireplace. As with gas logs, holes will need to be drilled for the gas and electricity.
The other part of the installation of an insert or gas logs will be venting. If venting is needed, it can be accomplished two ways. One is to use the chimney and run a vent pipe inside it. The other is to vent through an exterior wall, in case the chimney cannot be used for some reason. With vented systems, there will need to be fresh air for combustion and there are two options here as well. Air can be brought in from the room or it can be brought in through a second vent pipe, installed in the chimney or the wall.
Gas logs and inserts come in ventless models. If you purchase one of these, you will need to close off the fireplace to avoid drafts. You also need to be aware that some states do not allow ventless gas logs.
Many newer models of gas fireplace inserts come with a remote control. If you have one, it will need to be installed outside of the firebox before installing the outer shell, glass front, and screen.
There are many benefits to using a gas fireplace so why not convert your existing fireplace to experience the warmth, cleanliness, and cost savings of a natural gas fireplace.
For the more visually inclined, here’s a great overview the whole process:
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