Online Gas Fireplace Resources and Information

Here at Gas Fireplace Headquarters we get a lot of email with questions people have about their gas fireplaces. We thought we’d answer some of the more common questions in one post. Here are our answers to three common questions about gas fireplace ownership:

• Why is my Gas Fireplace cutting off?
• How many BTUs does a gas fireplace produce?
• Can I burn wood in my gas log fireplace?

Why is my Gas Fireplace cutting off?

by takomabibelot under CC BY  with wpseopix.com

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A common problem among gas fireplace owners is that the fireplace will turn itself off in the middle of use.  When this happens the pilot light will also go out.  This is understandably frustrating for many because one must first light the pilot light before they can turn on the fireplace.

The fact that the pilot light goes out is a good thing.  This means that your gas fireplace’s safety mechanism is working, which is designed to turn off the gas flow if your fireplace stops burning while the gas is still flowing.

Normally your gas fireplace will turn off like this because of an obstruction along the burners.  An obstruction can be anything from dust to cobwebs.  You can safely clear any obstructions by getting a can of compressed air and spraying around the burners.  You may need to remove the safety glass and ceramic logs  to gain access to the burners, so be sure to refer to your fireplace manual on the proper procedure.  You may need to do this every year before you start using your fireplace.

If the gas fireplace continues to shut off, consult a certified expert to come inspect your gas line and set up.

How many Btu does a gas fireplace produce?

Btu stands for British Thermal Unit.  It is a system of measuring heat, or energy, output.  When used to measure heat output, it is calculated as Btu per hour in order to give an estimation as to the amount of heat that is output in that time frame.

Depending on the size and type of your natural gas fireplace, they can use anywhere from 8,500 Btu per hour to 100,000 Btu per hour. By comparison, the average conventional stove burner uses 9500 Btu of heat on its highest setting.  This is why you normally only want to run your gas fireplace while you’re in the room, otherwise you’re wasting a lot of energy.

Can I burn wood in my gas log fireplace?

This is a surprisingly common question.  If it’s not surprising to you, then you’ve come to the right place.

The answer to this is without a doubt no!

First of all, the purpose of a gas fireplace is to avoid burning wood in  the first place.  If you absolutely need to burn wood, then don’t use a gas fireplace.  The reasons are too numerous to go into here, but the most important reasons are:

1. You don’t want an uncontrolled open flame near a gas line.
2. Wood ash will clog your gas burners, rendering your gas fireplace inoperable.

The bottom line is gas fireplaces are made to replace wood burning fireplaces and are specially designed not to need wood.  Burning wood in your gas fireplace will not only break it, but it is a major safety hazard.

If a natural wood burning look is what you’re after, we’ve got you covered.  Gas fireplace technology has reached the point where ceramic log inserts capture the realism of burning wood better than ever before.  From a distance you can’t tell the difference.

Here are some of our favorite gas fireplace ceramic logs:

Peterson Real Fyre 18 Inch Post Oak Gas Logs Only No Burner
List Price: $136.00
Price: $115.60
Read Reviews

Copperfield 48142 18 Inch Hargrove Fire Oak, Vented, Gas Logs Only, Radco Approved
List Price:
Price: $134.50
Read Reviews

Peterson Real Fyre 24 Inch Split Oak Designer Plus Log Set With Vented Natural Gas G4 Burner - Match Light
List Price: $507.00
Price: $430.95
Read Reviews

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:

A natural gas fireplace is the perfect centerpiece for any home.  With a fireplace that is powered by natural gas, you can experience the warmth and romanticism of a traditional fireplace, without all the mess, smoke, and potential danger that comes form burning wood.

There’s nothing quite like a gently crackling fire on a cool evening to warm a room. There’s something about a fireplace that resonates deeply with humans.  Perhaps it’s some fragment of ancestral memory that tugs at the subconscious mind, whispering of long winter evening spent warm and safe with loved ones at the dawn of time. Perhaps it’s no more than memories of winter holidays spent celebrating in front of the fireplace at Grandma’s house, or warming frozen toes after a morning spent racing on waxed sled runners down frosty white hills. Whatever the roots of the human love affair with fireplaces, it’s a love that was built to last. Fireplaces are still immensely popular and for good reason; fireplaces provide beauty and value as well as heat.

Still, in spite our attachment to them, traditional fireplaces have fallen out of regular use and been largely demoted to the realm of mood lighting. That’s because wood burning fireplaces have numerous drawbacks. They are dirty and release smoke. They require regular maintenance. You have to buy wood, chop it, stack it, store it and carry it inside before you can arrange it in the fireplace, get it lit and adjust the damper to prevent your house from filling with toxic smoke. Once lit, a traditional fireplace represents a significant risk of causing a house fire and may even raise your homeowner’s insurance premiums.

Natural gas fireplaces, on the other hand, are clean, smokeless, highly efficient heat sources that can be turned on or off with the flick of a switch or a press of a remote control button. These are not your parent’s gas “fireplaces.” Modern natural gas fireplaces are beautiful, with realistic-looking logs, glowing “embers” and naturally colored and shaped flames. Specially designed burners closely mimic natural burn patterns and logs are available to look exactly like many different types of natural wood. Gas fireplaces are efficient sources of heat, and can even save energy by allowing you to turn down the thermostat but continue to heat living areas.

Gas fireplaces typically do not increase your homeowner’s insurance payments because, although modern gas fireplaces look like traditional wood burning fireplaces, in reality they are high-efficiency natural gas furnaces. Heat is dispersed by a powerful but gentle fan that can be safely turned off so you can enjoy a romantic interlude by the fire even if the temperature outside is unseasonably warm. Today’s gas fireplaces are an efficient, beautiful and convenient addition to your home.