That swine flue...
Posted on 10/18/2009 9:26:16 AM PDT by LouAvul
I have a brick fireplace with a manufactured fireplace box complete with functioning flue. I also have gas logs, etc. The literature on the logs says they are "ventless." However, the fireplace box isn't designed for ventless logs. According to a fireman who examined it, he said closing the flue during operation would generate more heat than the box can handle.
Now, before he examined it, I had run the fireplace with the flue closed and it generated decent heat. But now with the flue open, it's almost useless.
I was directed to a log setup that uses Ceramic Fiber logs which generate more heat than the setup I have. Saturday I checked them out and they cost about $500 for the entire setup. They are Hargrove Cross Timbers (or, was it the Rustic Timber).
My fireplace is 30" across the front, 19" across the back, and 17" from back to front. So about the only Hargrove unit I can use is the 21" setup.
The display models, which they had burning, and which the flues were open, were significantly larger. I doubt I could count on that much heat coming out, and I'm worried that after I buy the unit, and pay someone to install it (all of which will cost about $600), I'm still not going to see much difference (since I have to run the unit with the flue open.
Anybody have any suggestions? My objective is to use the fireplace as a significant source of heat.
thanx
A guy was on his first parachute jump. As he fell, he pulled the cord and nothing happened. As he continued to fall, he saw another man flying up from the ground. He called: “Do you know anything about parachutes?” The other man responded: “No. Do you know anything about gas fireplaces?”
All the heat goes up the flue, but they are pretty.
Close your eyes whenever you light it.
Actually, try partially closing the flue. I have a traditional woodstove and have a thermometer in the flue itself. You can get one at any hardware store, and it gives you a good idea of how it’s doing.
That swine flue...
Professor Balls may have the answer to the "minkey"....on your back..... Yez....yez....A disguise to hide you from the gasses and explosions....
We’ve had a gas fireplace (dual opening for living room and kitchen) for 15 years. We have been very satisfied with it.
Depending on which room is to be heated, I will close the other side of the fireplace to make sure the heat goes into the room to be heated. We usually have the flue open.
The fireplace keeps the room warm enough that the heater is not used much if we are staying in that particular room.
What about installing a blower? We had a gas log fireplace “just for looks”....it did warm up the lower level which made the thermostat detect that it was warm in the house. (didn’t have a front that opened) We moved and the new owners requested that we install a grounding unit from the gas line to an outside rod 8ft into the ground. (Some BS if lightning storms)
House we are in now is older, converted fireplace to gas log. Inspector said to partially clamp the flue open when using. I have always believed a fireplace will take heat out of a house, but like another poster said, ‘they are pretty’.
You should be looking at Home Depot or Lowes for less costly gas logs.
sw
Hey, that’s neat...thanks for the link.
Soory the link didn’t work. Just google home depot gas logs and you’ll find them for as low as $120 a set..
I don't think you need new gas logs, I think you might need a new firebox that is rated for ventless use. I have double-sided (open to two rooms) ventless logs and they can heat my whole house if I leave all the doors open and the central fan running.
The ventless fire box is actually a box within a box that allows room air to enter through an intake in the bottom between the boxes, the air flows up the sides and across the top and exits vents across the top face. An optional blower fan is available which is nice.
The ventless box had very specific installation requirements and local codes vary. Since you are dealing with a brick firebox you don't have may issues. (I installed in a wood frame wall. I did the installation my self but hired a licensed contractor to run and connect the gas lines.)
A fireman is not necessarily an expert. I suspect he is right, but I would ask the manufacture of the firebox if it is rated for ventless use.
Two things to be careful about with ventless logs:
- Make sure you have a large enough volume of open space available for the logs to draw oxygen from. No small rooms, no bedrooms. Follow the instructions of the log manufacturer to calculate what the minimum volume is.
- I strongly recommend a carbon monoxide/flammable gas alarm. You can pick one up at Lowes/Home Depot for about $70. Local code may require it.
It worked...it looks edgy. The previous owners went for the “mossy log” look...time for an update.
All of these products are intended to be used as a system. Components are all engineered to work together. If you start mix and matching different systems (vented flue with ventless heater, etc.) you may get yourself into trouble.
The best advice I can come up with is settle on one product and install everything that product’s manufacturer requires, make sure it is done to your local code and is signed off by an inspector.
Houses burn to the ground every year from heating related problems.
As I stated above, you will obtain the highest heat output with real logs. Second would be vented logs. Third and far down the list are the unvented logs. In my opinion they're for aesthetic purposes only.
Those gas log units are virtually useless as a heat source. They are decorative mainly for “atmosphere.”
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