FAQ Gas

FAQ Gas Fireplaces
Can I convert my wood-burning fireplace to a gas fireplace? Yes. We have gas inserts designed for both masonry and factory-built wood-burning fireplaces. How do I know if I need an insert or a fireplace? If you already have a brick or stone fireplace, or a factory-built fireplace, and you want to convert it to gas, then the most cost effective solution is an insert. If you are remodeling a part of your home that never had any kind of built-in structure, then you need a direct vent fireplace that does not require an existing opening or chimney. What is the difference between a B Vent and Direct Vent fireplace/insert? These terms refer to how a gas appliance takes in the air it needs to burn gas. A *B Vent* unit draws air from inside the home, through ports in the firebox itself. A *Direct Vent* unit draws air through a pipe from outside the home into a sealed firebox. Direct Vent models are usually more efficient and safer for today’s airtight homes since they do not use inside air to cause a conflict with range hoods and bathroom fans circulating the same air. B Vent units are generally less expensive to install, but are more sensitive to airflow inside the home. What is a BTU? A BTU (British Thermal Unit) refers to the heating power of a gas appliance as measured by the amount of energy it produces in one hour. Technically, it is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. On average, a 10,000 BTU component can heat up approximately 500 square feet, depending on floor plan, windows, the room’s ceiling height, etc. Can I burn wood in my gas fireplace or stove? No. Gas models are specifically engineered to burn gas and cannot be used to burn wood. I don’t want to see too much stove pipe inside my home. What options do I have? First, you could install a rear vent direct vent stove, which vents directly out the back of stove. You will not see vertical pipe at all with this type of installation. If you are unable to vent out the rear of the unit you can minimize the amount of visible pipe with a 2' or 4' Snorkel Cap horizontal termination kit for direct vent stoves. These kits use the minimum required height for the stoves, then turn 90° to go out your wall instead of up through the ceiling. What is the difference between “steady state” efficiency and AFUE? Steady state efficiency means only the efficiency of the fireplace when its burning is tested. AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) means that both the on cycle and off cycle are calculated in the efficiency rating. By including the off cycle (when the fireplace is turned off), a more accurate yearly operational cost can be estimated. How often should I have my fireplace serviced? Your fireplace should be serviced annually by a professional service technician. Should I leave my pilot light on in the summer when I am not using it? It’s up to you. However, running the pilot light year-round will extend the lifespan of the generator by not allowing condensation and corrosion to build up inside. How do I re-light my pilot? Open the lower grill and locate the black on/off pilot knob. Turn the knob to the pilot position, push in the black knob all the way and hold it in. Then, press the red button that is to the right-hand side; the pilot will light after you push this button on two times. Continue to hold the black knob in for at least 20 seconds after the pilot has been lighted. Release the black knob and the pilot will remain lit. Turn the black knob all the way counter-clockwise to the on position. Do gas fireplaces or stoves need electricity? No, the fireplaces and stoves we carry have a standing pilot ignition system—much like a gas water heater. This system operates with a pilot light so there is always a flame to ignite the gas. The pilot light also generates the power needed to operate the valve. If the pilot light gets blown out accidentally, the valve shuts off and the gas flow stops. The pilot light feature makes operation both easy and safe. (Note: Models require AC power for the blower to work, but do not need AC power for the fire.)

FAQ Gas Fireplaces

Can I convert my wood-burning fireplace to a gas fireplace?
Yes. We have gas inserts designed for both masonry and factory-built wood-burning fireplaces.

How do I know if I need an insert or a fireplace?
If you already have a brick or stone fireplace, or a factory-built fireplace, and you want to convert it to gas, then the most cost effective solution is an insert. If you are remodeling a part of your home that never had any kind of built-in structure, then you need a direct vent fireplace that does not require an existing opening or chimney.

What is the difference between a B Vent and Direct Vent fireplace/insert?
These terms refer to how a gas appliance takes in the air it needs to burn gas. A B Vent unit draws air from inside the home, through ports in the firebox itself. A Direct Vent unit draws air through a pipe from outside the home into a sealed firebox. Direct Vent models are usually more efficient and safer for today’s airtight homes since they do not use inside air to cause a conflict with range hoods and bathroom fans circulating the same air. B Vent units are generally less expensive to install, but are more sensitive to airflow inside the home.

What is a BTU?
A BTU (British Thermal Unit) refers to the heating power of a gas appliance as measured by the amount of energy it produces in one hour. Technically, it is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. On average, a 10,000 BTU component can heat up approximately 500 square feet, depending on floor plan, windows, the room’s ceiling height, etc.

Can I burn wood in my gas fireplace or stove?
No. Gas models are specifically engineered to burn gas and cannot be used to burn wood.

I don’t want to see too much stove pipe inside my home. What options do I have?
First, you could install a rear vent direct vent stove, which vents directly out the back of stove. You will not see vertical pipe at all with this type of installation. If you are unable to vent out the rear of the unit you can minimize the amount of visible pipe with a 2' or 4' Snorkel Cap horizontal termination kit for direct vent stoves. These kits use the minimum required height for the stoves, then turn 90° to go out your wall instead of up through the ceiling.

What is the difference between “steady state” efficiency and AFUE?
Steady state efficiency means only the efficiency of the fireplace when its burning is tested. AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) means that both the on cycle and off cycle are calculated in the efficiency rating. By including the off cycle (when the fireplace is turned off), a more accurate yearly operational cost can be estimated.

How often should I have my fireplace serviced?
Your fireplace should be serviced annually by a professional service technician.

Should I leave my pilot light on in the summer when I am not using it?
It’s up to you. However, running the pilot light year-round will extend the lifespan of the generator by not allowing condensation and corrosion to build up inside.

How do I re-light my pilot?
Open the lower grill and locate the black on/off pilot knob. Turn the knob to the pilot position, push in the black knob all the way and hold it in. Then, press the red button that is to the right-hand side; the pilot will light after you push this button on two times. Continue to hold the black knob in for at least 20 seconds after the pilot has been lighted. Release the black knob and the pilot will remain lit. Turn the black knob all the way counter-clockwise to the on position.

Do gas fireplaces or stoves need electricity?
No, the fireplaces and stoves we carry have a standing pilot ignition system—much like a gas water heater. This system operates with a pilot light so there is always a flame to ignite the gas. The pilot light also generates the power needed to operate the valve. If the pilot light gets blown out accidentally, the valve shuts off and the gas flow stops. The pilot light feature makes operation both easy and safe. (Note: Models require AC power for the blower to work, but do not need AC power for the fire.)