FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ON FIREPLACES AND STOVES

1) Can I convert my wood-burning fireplace into a gas fireplace?

Yes. Gas fireplace inserts are made for this application. Inserts are very efficient providing heat. Gas logs are also available and will provide the ambiance of a wood burning fireplace, however, minimal heat if any. You can see many examples of both applications at our two conveniently located showrooms. Key measurements for either application: width, height and depth of your existing masonry fireplace opening.

2) How often does the chimney need to be cleaned?

We strongly suggest having your chimney cleaned prior to each season.
A fireplace fire occurs when a build-up of soot and creosote ignites inside the venting system of a wood burning fireplace or woodstove. Be sure to have your chimney cleaned regularly.

3) Can I burn coal in a wood-burning fireplace?

No. Wood burning fireplaces are specifically designed and safety tested to burn only cordwood. Burning coal creates corrosive gases that cause rapid deterioration of wood stoves and metal chimneys. Coal should be burned only in appliances specifically designed for that fuel. Burning fuel other than cordwood in a wood-burning fireplace will invalidate your warranty.

4) Does a pellet stove require a chimney?

Yes. Manufacturers recommend a five-foot rise for pellet stoves. This allows a direct vent pellet stove to vent properly. In a power outage, the five-foot rise allows burning pellets to draft outside versus bellowing into the home.

5) Can a gas fireplace be installed in a room that does not have a fireplace today?

Yes. Direct vent gas fireplaces and stoves are designed for installation in this manner. Gas appliances are an easy and convenient way to bring the beauty and ambiance of a traditional masonry wood-burning fireplace into the home without the hassle and mess associated with wood. Direct vent gas fireplaces are installed and vented without the need of masonry work. Let one of our professional sales staff members work with you on designing a custom fireplace solution for your home.

6) Does a gas fireplace provide heat?

Yes. Gas fireplaces and stoves are extremely efficient. In fact, traditional masonry wood burning fireplaces are very inefficient, rated at less than 20%. A wood-burning fireplace allows the furnace heated air in your home to escape up the chimney as the fire is burning. Wood burning fireplaces do not provide as much heat as they do ambience. Gas fireplaces are efficiency rated, some over 85% efficient, depending on the manufacturer and model. This is a result of using outside air to create combustion (versus heated air from inside the home) and radiant heat that is created from the glass, which seals the unit. A convection chamber also creates maximum heat into the home.

7) Is there a smell when using a gas fireplace?

During the initial curing process, usually 4-6 hours, most gas appliances (fireplaces, inserts and stoves) will emit some smoke and odor. If your fireplace is vented to the outside of your home, these odors will escape through the chimney. You may see and smell a minimal amount, however, it will dissipate as you continue to use the fireplace.

8) What does direct vent mean?

Direct vent appliances (gas fireplaces and stoves) draw all their combustion air from outside the home and vent the exhaust outside of the home. For fireplaces this accomplished by using “direct vent” chimney, a double-wall metal pipe that contains the exhaust in the center portion and draws the intake air through the outer ring. Gas fireplace inserts have separate, flexible metal tubes for the intake of air and exhaust that connect to a chimney cap that keeps the two channels separate. This system is completely sealed from the interior of the home, which minimizes atmospheric effects and allows this type of heater to be used in any room of the home, including bedrooms. This is especially important for people who suffer with breathing and allergy issues.

9) Can I put a gas fireplace in a bedroom?

Yes. In fact, a gas fireplace can be installed almost anywhere in a home, in the kitchen or even a bathroom. Direct vent technology allows installation in virtually any room of your home. There are many different models of gas fireplaces available. Stop by one of our two conveniently located showrooms and a professional sales staff member will assist you.

10) Does a gas fireplace chimney need to be cleaned?

Yes. With the purchase and installation of a gas appliance, we include a free cleaning within the first year. We clean the venting system, remove and clean the glass panel and inside of the fireplace (gas logs, replacement of embers, etc). Gas logs are fragile; we suggest you contact us to perform maintenance as needed. It is recommended that you clean the inside of the glass panel approximately once a month.

11) Why does the inside of the glass panel on a gas fireplace fog up upon starting?

LP (liquid propane) and NG (natural gas) are liquid. When you turn a gas fireplace on, it’s considered ‘cold’. The liquid gas creates condensation on the inside of the glass panel. This clears up after a few minutes once the gas fireplace warms up. This is normal and occurs with all gas fireplaces and stoves.

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