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Frequently Asked
Questions
Which fireplace should I
buy? Should I choose wood or gas? Most of us only buy one or two
fireplaces in our lifetime. Trying to figure out which of the many
choices available is the right one for you can be intimidating. Often
the first choice is between a wood and gas fireplace.
Nothing has the complete
realism of a natural wood fire. Each fire has a unique life cycle from
small flames to a strong burning fire to glowing embers. Properly
installed wood burners are very safe and reliable, little other than
wood and a match is needed to keep them going. But wood is a bulk fuel.
To burn well it must be seasoned and dry (minimum 1 year cut, split,
stacked, and preferably covered). Wood takes up space and comes with a
bit of maintenance to keep it clean. You have to sweep up the bark and
wood chips that fall off, and clean out the ashes after burning. Once
you light a wood fire you have several hours of fire to enjoy, but you
cannot put it out with the push of a button.
Gas fireplaces offer
convenience and control not available in wood units. With the push of a
button the fireplace is ignited. Some units offer thermostatic control
that will insure that the room does not get too hot. Modern gas
technology is both extremely safe and very realistic. A modern gas
appliance has many safety features built into it to avoid any potential
for risk to the home or the consumer. The logs and burners on a modern
gas fireplace have realistic dancing flames and glowing embers. The
manufactures are making remarkably realistic fires in most mid grade
and premium fireplaces.Considering how you will use the fireplace most
easily makes making the decision between wood and gas fuel. If you come
home in the evening and light a fire to enjoy it for most or all of the
evening, or if you commonly heat your home with the fireplace, or keep
a fire going all weekend long, you may be a candidate for a wood fire.
If you typically come home in the evening and want to enjoy a fire for
awhile while watching TV or entertaining, or if you want to light the
fire to take the chill out of the home first thing in the morning
before heading out to work then gas may better suit your needs.
The fireplace is often
the focal point of the room it is in, thus placement of the fireplace
should maximize the view throughout the room. Any single sided
fireplace may be put in a corner or along a flat wall. Multiple sided
fireplaces need to be more carefully placed to maintain good fire view.
The trained sales staff
of a reputable Hearth Shop can help you select the fireplace or stove
that will add both beauty, comfort and value to your home. Feel free to
ask questions and visit more than one hearth shop to get different
design ideas, and to find the perfect fireplace for your home.
We can install a direct
vent gas fireplace virtually anywhere in your home.
Direct vent gas
fireplaces draw all their combustion air from outside the home, and
exhaust 100 percent outside through a dedicated vent.
Yes, in most cases we
can install an energy efficient gas-burning insert in your existing
wood-burning masonry or zero clearance wood burner.
Yes, standing pilot gas
fireplaces and inserts do not need electricity to operate.
There are two types of
gas fireplaces, heater-rated units and decorative appliance.
Heater-rated units may be operated by a thermostat and typically range
from 20,000 to 40,000 BTU's, and will cost 10 to 25 cents per hour to
operate. Decorative appliances produce little heat.
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