Gas Log question...

[Todd.Brock]

Can someone school me on gas logs? Our fireplace was inspected last year and deemed unsafe to burn wood because of missing mortar between the flue tiles.


The chimney shop wanted 4K for lifetime liner, 3k for a 20 year liner or 2k for a gas log set- no gas lines run, just the logs hooked up. Seemed a bit steep.

I found a plumber to run the gas line into the firebox from outside. Our meter is next to the fireplace. He would run it into the firebox with a shut off valve and key.

What kind of logs should I get? I assume I need vented which requires me to open the flue before I run them?

My wife is looking for ambience and enough heat to warm up the family room at the push of a button.

Any recommendations?

 

[Sawdustmaker]

Check out Real Fyre gas logs. Comes in different sizes and styles. Prices run from $200 up. We have a set in each of our fireplaces. Installation can be a DIY. I did our first set and we had the dealer do our second set. he also checked my work and tweaked it so it worked better. We are happy with both sets even though one doesn't get used.

 

[Pen & Wrench]

I'd look into a gas fireplace insert. Some have vent pipe that goes clear to the top of the existing chimney, maybe it would be safer under the conditions. I'm not an expert but it seems like something to look into. Plus they are a lot more efficient than a gas log.

 

[olytdi]

In my experience, fireplaces (whether real log or gas log) **** the warm air out of your house.

In the ball park of what your bids are, you should be able to put in an insert and really warm your area with excellent ambience.

Regardless, I'd run a flu up the chimney. Safer.

 

[kelpaso1]

^^^ Agree. A fireplace wood stove insert is 10 times better. All the heat comes out of the front and not up the chimney. Heats the house good. 75,000 BTU's is plenty for a 1500 SqFt home. And they run a full length flexible flue pipe up your original chimney so you don't have to fix the cracks in the original flue.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Do you have electricity near by? You could get an electric blower model (more efficient), and have a fireplace that you turn on/off with the flip of a switch.

But yeah either a direct vent or natural vent could be installed in your existing fireplace.

 

[kbs2244]

If you have a fire you need to open the flu.

 

[engineer2]

I have 2 standing pilot millivolt gas fireplaces with a blower and they are 78% efficient. flip a switch and you have heat. Works during a power failure, but no blower. Easy to install yourself if you know how to run gas lines, install flues, and do electrical.

 

[yeldogt]

Be sure to understand that some the log units are ventless -- the blue flame units. It's all coming into the house. The ones that look real require the vent -- they also make some that act as an old vent-a-heater -- with air space around the fire box.

I agree with those above who recommend fixing the chimney -- get a few more quotes.

 

[Todd.Brock]

I was ok with wood burning but didn’t want to spend 4K on the fireplace. We had a house built in 1998 that had a gas fireplace with a side exit exhaust. That thing would heat the hell out of the first floor. I assume vented gas logs in a fireplace would have the same effect? I could pull electric from an outlet 2-3 ft away if I had to.

I had a new crown, some tuck pointing and water proofing done to the chimney. It was 1000 bucks by itself. The plumber was going to charge a couple hundred for a gas line into firebox, and then find a set of logs for a couple hundo.

I My old gas fireplace upstairs had a switch on the wall. I think it was low voltage wiring that would ignite the flames [emoji91] as long as the pilot light was lit. I don’t recall it being powered by electricity.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Not all require electricity, just if you want a sealed unit with a blower. I believe otherwise the thermocouple generates enough low voltage for simple switch setups.

 

[Todd.Brock]

Thanks all for the feedback. I have a call out to the guy running the gas line. I also am going to go to a Hearth and Fireplace store here in town to get some ideas , etc.

Thanks for the education!

 

[75gmck25]

We had a similar situation with an old fireplace and not wanting to spend a lot on the chimney. We decided to go with ventless logs, although the dealers told us that most customers are more satisfied with vented.

We bought ventless logs from this vendor http://www.hansenwholesale.com/gas-logs, and have been very happy with them. We chose a a burner unit that has a remote control, so my wife can just click them on whenever she wants the warmth. There is no electric connection at the burner end, and we have a standing pilot light. Since they are ventless, most of the heat actually does go into the room.

We pulled a permit and had a plumber do the installation. We also installed a CO detector in the family room, just in case there was ever a malfunction with the logs.

Bruce