There's only one thing better than a roaring fire on a
wintry night: a roaring fire that needs no tending, requires minimal cleanup,
and doesn't leave the rest of the house freezing cold. That's what you get with
today's gas fireplaces. Long gone are the anemic blue flames and unconvincing
"logs." Modern versions burn much more realistically, with glowing
red embers and tall orange-yellow flames that dance and flicker around
ceramic-fiber logs molded from the real thing.
Gas fireplaces come in three types: inserts, for folks who want to retrofit a
wood-burning firebox with something more convenient and efficient; built-ins,
for those who want a fireplace where there isn't one now; and log sets, basic
burners that sit in existing, open fireplaces. Both inserts and built-in
fireplaces are reliable heat producers, filling your room with a mix of warm
air and radiant heat. Log sets are usually more for looks than warmth. With
each type, you have a choice between models that vent the flames' fumes outside
or vent-free versions that discharge all their heat, and exhaust, into the
house.
How much do they cost?
Expect to pay $2,000 to $5,000 (including installation) for a heat-producing
insert or built-in fireplace. Decorative log sets run about $400 to $1,000.
Natural gas or propane?
Gas fireplaces can burn either type. Natural gas is less expensive and produces
about 5 percent more heat. Choose propane where natural gas isn't available.
DIY or hire a pro?
For the safest, most efficient, and best-looking installation, leave the work
to a local National Fireplace Institute-certified technician.
How much care?
For about $150, have your certified technician come once a year to clean and
adjust the burner, ensuring that you have realistic, soot-free flames.
How many Btus?
A gas fireplace's heat output, in Btus, should match your room size, climate,
and your house's insulation level.
Why Choose Gas?
Wood-burning fireplaces provide great ambience, but they
can't beat the easy, no-fuss efficiency of gas.
• You don't have to split, stack, season, or haul logs.
• There are no ashes to bag, no smoky smells, no chimney to clean.
• You can start, adjust, and snuff out fires with the touch of a remote
control.
• The fire needs no tending and won't die out from neglect.
• A wall thermostat can control the flame size—and therefore heat output—to
maintain a specific temperature setting in the room.
• The fixed glass panels covering direct-vent fireboxes ensure that the
furnace- or boiler-heated air in the rest of the house doesn't escape up the
flue, as it does with a wood fire.
• You can get as much as 75 to 99 percent of a fuel's energy back as heat,
instead of the 10 to 30 percent for wood fires.
• Gas fireplaces can go almost anywhere—in an upstairs bathroom, in a basement,
or outdoors—without needing a chimney.
What to look for-
These upgrades enhance a fireplace's convenience, comfort,
and good looks.
1. Variable-flame height adjustment. Allows you to dial in just the amount
of heat you need, from a whisper of a flame to a roaring fire. (The best units
adjust down to 30 percent of full output).
2. Wall-thermostat control. Automatically adjusts the fireplace's heat
output to the temperature that you set manually or with a handheld remote.
3. Electronic ignition. Eliminates the need for a pilot light, saving up
to $10 a month in fuel.
4. LED accent lighting. Adds a realistic flickering effect inside the
firebox.
5. Battery backup. Ensures the fireplace will light during a power outage.
6. Built-in fan. Pulls indoor air into the space behind the firebox and
pumps hot air out, heating a room in a hurry.
How Much Fire Power Do You Need?
Gas fireplaces have a wide range of heat output, from about
7,000 to 60,000 Btus. Use this formula to determine which models generate enough
heat to warm your room. The formula assumes that your house is well insulated
and has tight windows, and that you like the temperature set at 72 degrees F.
By JOSH GARSKOFTHIS OLD HOUSE MAGAZINE
Source: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20431996_20859244,00.html
