My wife mentioned she'd love to have our wood fireplace converted to gas logs. From the little I know, I beleive we would like the ventless system for heating the room, but I know nothing of brands, installation etc. Are the big box store units worth a try? We have natural gas, close to the fireplace location, so thats available without a new service, but whats an install generally run?
Help me with choosing gas logs
- Thread starter Chaznsc
- Start date
The Craft Stove Store and Patio on Wade Hampton Blvd. in Taylors.
I got a nice ventless fireplace insert from them. Cost @ $1000.00 Puts out plenty of heat, has a remote control to start and adjust the flames. I've had it for 3 years now, no issues at all.
I got a nice ventless fireplace insert from them. Cost @ $1000.00 Puts out plenty of heat, has a remote control to start and adjust the flames. I've had it for 3 years now, no issues at all.
Hey neighbor, thanks for the advice. Was that an installed cost?
GirchyGirchy
Well-known member
It's a good idea to open the damper a bit even on ventless. They put out a ton of water vapor as they burn. We have some sort of Desa, came with the house and works fine.
thanks @girchy
Make sure you go and see the different models -- the ventless don't come close to looking real IMO. Even most of the vented ones are not very realistic. I looked at many before I installed a vented unit in my home office -- It's reasonably convincing. A real fire was impractical as I was in and out all day .. rarely used it -- now I can flip it on at will
EOC_Jason
Well-known member
Why not just run gas into your existing fireplace and get gas logs for it? Then you can still open the damper some like someone else said above.
The unit is RH Peterson Co. Realfyre
Model is G18-24/30 series.
It was $1249.95 plus $75.00 tax.
Installation was $150
This is a fireplace insert, looks like the real thing. Even has glowing "embers" in the front.
Got it Sept. 2015, no problems. I have a 3000 sq. ft. house, and when I have it on, heats the downstairs very well. Flame is adjustable. Remote control was about $120 more than the manual one, so I went with the remote. I pamper myself in my old age.
I don't open the damper, haven't had any problems with moisture, smell or anything else.
My 11 year old German Short-haired Pointer loves laying in front of it.
Model is G18-24/30 series.
It was $1249.95 plus $75.00 tax.
Installation was $150
This is a fireplace insert, looks like the real thing. Even has glowing "embers" in the front.
Got it Sept. 2015, no problems. I have a 3000 sq. ft. house, and when I have it on, heats the downstairs very well. Flame is adjustable. Remote control was about $120 more than the manual one, so I went with the remote. I pamper myself in my old age.
I don't open the damper, haven't had any problems with moisture, smell or anything else.
My 11 year old German Short-haired Pointer loves laying in front of it.
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firebirdparts
Well-known member
I just bought and put in a LOPI 616. Pretty expensive. My wife picked it out. I have no idea if the high priced brands are any better.
It's vented, uses outside combustion air, and has a blower, so you get a lot of heat.
It's vented, uses outside combustion air, and has a blower, so you get a lot of heat.
BillK
Well-known member
Since we are on the subject . . . . just curious how these things have affected your gas bills ? Thinking about getting one too but not sure yet.
One thing I will say is I am very leery of the ones with remote operation. I know of two people that have come home and found theirs going full blast even though they had never turned them on.
One thing I will say is I am very leery of the ones with remote operation. I know of two people that have come home and found theirs going full blast even though they had never turned them on.
BillK
Well-known member
How often do you run it ? An hour a day ? Week ?
I have never experienced a ventless log that did produce some odor and slight discomfort for some in the room.
Sealed combustion vented outside witha blower fan to circulate the heat is great alternative.
Sealed combustion vented outside witha blower fan to circulate the heat is great alternative.
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So we are looking at a RealFyre setup at around $800, plus $125 installation. The gas line (less than 20 feet) came in at $475-$550, which seemed high to me for some reason. Gas is on the same end of the house and is close to the meter.
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4xdog
Well-known member
In for info on this one, as it's been on my list to ask the collective wisdom of TGJ for some time. My house has gas logs in a real fireplace installed long before I moved here twenty years ago, and although they look OK the net heat contribution is probably negative. Zero or less than zero heat into the room.
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75gmck25
Well-known member
I've purchased both vented and unvented Petersen RealFyre gas logs from Hansen Wholesale, and have been very pleased with both units. I used the unvented for the 2nd install because I had an old (1940) fireplace flue and I was unsure of its condition. The fireplace cleaning guys didn't seem to know how to inspect it to determine if it really needed a liner.
We have the unvented in our current house, and when weather turns colder my wife sits in a chair near the fireplace and runs them frequently. It does have an impact on the gas bill, but that's because on a cold day she may run them for 4-5 hours. She likes sitting and reading in a 72-74 degree room while the rest of the house is at 70.
I have the flue open about 1/2" just to keep air moving, and there is no odor at all in the room. I installed a CO detector in the room, and it has never shown any reaction when the fireplace is running.
We bought the unit with a standing pilot and a remote control. Its really convenient to just walk in the room and push a button to turn on the fireplace.
Bruce
We have the unvented in our current house, and when weather turns colder my wife sits in a chair near the fireplace and runs them frequently. It does have an impact on the gas bill, but that's because on a cold day she may run them for 4-5 hours. She likes sitting and reading in a 72-74 degree room while the rest of the house is at 70.
I have the flue open about 1/2" just to keep air moving, and there is no odor at all in the room. I installed a CO detector in the room, and it has never shown any reaction when the fireplace is running.
We bought the unit with a standing pilot and a remote control. Its really convenient to just walk in the room and push a button to turn on the fireplace.
Bruce
NWOhioChevyGuy
Well-known member
I put in a vent free unit two years ago and the wife loves it. Was not an insert but installed with a metal firebox by Monessen.
Look at log sets before you buy as most look horrible. Very pleased with ours.
My opinion but don’t do it with out the remote control. Makes it easy for the wife.
Orders from Fine’s Gas out of GA - free shipping to MI for us
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
Look at log sets before you buy as most look horrible. Very pleased with ours.
My opinion but don’t do it with out the remote control. Makes it easy for the wife.
Orders from Fine’s Gas out of GA - free shipping to MI for us
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
