Gas Fireplace

[Schwartzint1]

No I do not have a gas fireplace in my garage. I have just come to realize there is to much knowledge on these forums not to ask home questions as well. Last year I purchased my first house. It came with a gas fireplace already installed. It appears to just be a burner with ceramic type logs. It puts off tons of heat, but it all seems to just fly right out the chimney. Is there any additions to make these more efficient? Links would be great!

 

[olytdi]

Usually, a gas fireplace is a self contained unit with a heat exchanger and blower.

Is this just an open gas log set otherwise uncontained?

 

[koditten]

Does it have a fan to blow heat into the room?

Generally the decorative gas fireplaces are not very efficient, but they. Can warm up a room quite rapidly.

I have a decorative unit in. My cottage, but it uses 2x the gas. I know this for a fact. I had to heat the place for 2 weeks because the gas furnace was getting replaced.

I think a gas fireplace in a shop for in demand heat would be just fine.

 

[Modern Jess]

I think there's a distinction between a gas insert and a "fake log" gas fireplace. An insert will (as mentioned above) have a fan or blower and is capable of actually directing the heat into the room. A fake log gas fireplace is largely just for ambiance.

 

[jloehlein]

There are vented and non-vented gas logs. I don't know the difference other than, well, one is vented. It seems the non-vented ones are better for heat. Maybe try Googling the difference. I've got a non-vented gas fireplace in my basement and it'll warm it up from 50 degrees to 65 in about 10 minutes (it's only ~500sqft).

 

[Ironhorse74]

I am in the gas fireplace business. Do you have a picture of your fireplace?

Brad

 

[Schwartzint1]

It was a regular wood burning fireplace. I believe the previous owner just ran a gas line and put a burner in. There is currently no fans or blowers. Do they make aftermarket fan/blower inserts to blow some of the heat off the log. I am 99% sure that it must be vented due to the carbon monoxide. I will post a few pictures of the exact setup shortly.

 

[stealthmagic27]

Pretty curious myself as the house i just bought has the saem thing. No blower or anything just a wood burning fireplace that was converted. Actually just bought a new safety pilot valve to swap this one out as its not working any longer. Ironhorse74 mind if i send you some pics to get your recommendation? Not trying to jack your thread schwartzint1!

 

[Schwartzint1]

No worries! The more people the thread helps the better! Here are the pics of mine.

 

[stealthmagic27]

Nice looking fireplace! The valve on the left looks pretty similar to what iIhave. Its got a standing pilot and you just turn the knob to turn it on right?

 

[Schwartzint1]

You got it. Just a quick turn of the knob and you have a beautiful fire going. I just wish it warmed the room more!