Lopi, Avalon and FireplaceX offer a wonderful see through gas fireplace known as the 864ST
While wood fireplaces are warm, cozy, and lend an element of luxury to a home, there is nothing quite like being able to push a button and achieve the same effect without having to go out in the cold to bring in wood, place it just right, light it and wait for the fire to get hot.
Gas fireplaces have changed considerably from the old style of blue-flamed, strange looking logs to realistic-looking ceramic logs that have glowing red and orange embers, tall yellowish-orange flames that have the look of a roaring wood fire without all the mess and bother connected with one.
Gas fireplaces are available in four types:
- For people who want to convert their wood-burning fireplace into a gas fireplace, there are inserts that fit right into a fireplace and look totally authentic.
- When there is no fireplace for an insert, there are built-in models that offer just as much heat as the inserts do. This type of product is just referred to as a fireplace.
- There are also log sets and burners for the people who simply want to change over from wood logs to gas logs. The log sets do not put out the warmth that the other two types offer. There are also qualifications your home has to meet in order to have a gas log set.
- The last option is a fun one. Like a wood stove where it is free standing and has the vent come straight off the top and proceeds out your home, there are gas stoves too. These are nice for when you don’t want to finish the wall with stone and mantel and the labor to do so.
Today’s gas fireplaces do not put smoke or fumes into a room, and they are vented to the outside via a tube in the wall instead of the chimney. Gas fireplaces have air movement channels that circulate warmth into a house. The logs, which are ceramic and non-combustible cover gas vents.
Gas fireplaces use less fuel to create more heat than wood burning fireplaces. With a gas fireplace there is a lower combustion to fuel ratio, thus the efficiency increases dramatically over wood burning fireplaces.
Gas fireplace installation and use
Building codes in most areas insist that a license gas fitter, plumber or contractor install the gas line for a gas fireplace. With built-in gas fireplaces, they need to be located away from furniture, curtains, and heavy traffic areas. It is best if children are not allowed to operate it.
The glass front must be in place whenever it is operated. Nothing must ever be burned in the fireplace area. When there is an odor of gas, evacuate everyone from the home and call a repair person or the gas accompany.
The person who installs the gas fireplace will light the pilot light and show the homeowner the settings for it. There will likely be a remote controller for the fireplace, but it will not work unless the master switch on the fireplace is turned on. The units without a remote controller offer a rocker-type of switch whose location is behind the lower grill. This switch lights the pilot light.
Although this may sound a bit complicated, the operation of a gas fireplace in St. Paul is really quite simple, and will have homeowners enjoying the warmth it offers in no time. Energy Savers has several installers qualified to do the installation including a master gas fitter which is a requirement for the cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis. If you are located in the Hudson, Stillwater, White Bear Lake and Woodbury surrounding areas, call us today to set up a free no obligation preview.