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Gas Fireplaces are expensive for a number of reasons:
1. They are a relatively new appliance on the market.
2. They offset the cost of using other types of fuel to heat the home.
3. They are convenience appliances. No buying and hauling around wood or pellets, no messy ash to clean. No worrying about smokey rooms, draft issues, etc. No more paying for chimney sweeps, and dangerous creosote buildup.
4. They are an efficient heating source. (not just for looks, like most gas log sets which are much cheaper)
5. In most cases, one insert unit is composed of many components that come from various companies. (for instance, the sheet metal, ceramic glass, valve, electronics, etc. all come from different companies). This skyrockets the cost, because you have 17 companies who all must cooperate to produce a unit.
6. The gas fireplace industry is complicated, especially insert units. They must be designed and tested to meet safety codes. This costs money to them, which in turn drives up the cost of the unit. (This also goes along with #1).
7. Providing parts support, warranty support, etc on products costs manufacturers a ton of money.
8. Masonry Fireplaces have no standard dimensions. New homes follow traditional paterns in size, but older homes (pre-1980) often have varying sized fireboxes. That means Manufacturers who are competitive must create a wide array of units to fit small to large fireboxes.
9. Much of the manufacturing & assembly takes place in the United States.
(would you rather we outsource another industry to China?)
*10. Think big industry. You have 1-2 Manufacturing Plants in the country. Then you have 4-5 Distribution Centers around the country who then, in turn, sell the units to a Fireplace Dealer. By the time the Dealer gets the unit in the showroom, the unit has been marked up a few times so every company involved can meet their margins.
- The Consumer is usually paying almost twice the original cost of the base unit. That is before you add in accessories, venting system, whatnot.
--There you go. I know the industry.
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∙ 11y ago
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How much does it cost to convert a wood burning fireplace to a gas fireplace?
It is not as bad as you think, the most difficult part is deciding whether to keep it as a gas fireplace or a wood burning fireplace with a gas lighter; so you can have both. Decide the gas to be used, Natural gas or LP (pretty much determined by what is already available) The fireplace itself needs little modification except the gas supply and available electrical circuit (depending what type/style gas fireplace you want.) If you decide on gas with artificial logs, then running black pipe to copper lines is all you need. If you are going to burn gas and use wood then run black pipe throughout (remember to use a cement product, for high heat, to seal any new whole in the fireplace.) Note: Either way you decide thoroughly clean the chimney and fireplace and inspect the doors, damper, flue, and look for cracks in the fireplace. I mention this because it is probably the last time you will need to do that. I have converted fireplaces in both ways; gas to wood burner and wood burner to gas. The insert is the biggest expense you will have, you can easily spend $600 on just those parts; not installed. And please don't forget to install and easily accessible gas shutoff valve.
What is the difference between catalytic fireplace and noncatalytic fireplace?
In a regular fireplace you burn the fuel, wood, coal, gas or propane, and the byproducts of combustion go up the chimney or out the venting. In a catayltic fireplace those by products go into a catayst that burns at a much higher temperature so it further cumbusts much of the bi-product. The result is increased efficiency and less pollutants and combustion by-products.
How do you connect gas fireplace?
First off, you need experience in pipe-fitting. If you don't, call a plumbing company that does.The tasks you will need to perform are:Shutting of the main gas supply and all appliances that use natural gasEnsuring the atmosphere is free of natural gasPOINT A: Plotting out the route from a point on the interior gas lines (at which you can cut, thread and fit a junction) to your fireplace. NOTE: if there is no gas fitting and fireplace feeder at the fireplace, I am not writing how to do that - See your fireplace manufacturer or literaturePOINT B: Running the pipe under the floor and through the floor joists to the connection point under the fireplaceCutting, threading and fitting the feed line from POINT A at POINT BTesting Your Work So You Do Not Blow up Your HouseIf you a DIYer, you may not be able to detect any gas leaks in your finished connectionCall your gas company or a certified plumbing contractorYou will need to ensure there are no leaks after you turn the gas supply back on and prior to turning appliance on that can ignite natural gas (or allowing any sparks of flames anywhere in your house.Short version: Call a pro
Why do only the people directly in front of the fireplace feel the warmth of the fire?
Heat inside of fireplace only radiates out so far.
Can you convert a regular metal fireplace into a ventless if you close the flue and layer refractory cement to seal the chimney?
If you mean a ventless GAS fireplace, I would urge you to check with your local building inspector. Those have a specific design so that you do not die from carbon monoxide, and there is more than just sealing the flue. If you mean to burn solid fuel (wood, coal), NO.
Why are gas fireplace inserts needed?
Gas fireplace inserts are needed so that no one gets seriously hurt from the flames by accidently falling and getting burned and from keeping kids wondering to closely to an open flame.
Is gas fireplace inserts efficient for a large living room?
Depending on the type of room and size of room, gas inserts may be bought and installed to custom room sizes. Under many retailers, there are inserts for small, medium and large sized rooms so there is a gas fireplace insert for all rooms.
Do fireplace maintenance companies work on gas fireplaces, and if so can they repair a gas leak?
Do fireplace maintenance service companies work on gas fireplaces also? I think I have a leak, as I smell gas when I turn my fireplace on.
Where can I find more information on wood fireplace inserts?
Wood fireplace inserts really warm a room. I would start by going to www.northerntool.com to learn about all of the types an kinds that there are. You may want to measure the space that you are thinking of putting one is so you know what size you will be needing.
Do the fireplace inserts last for a long time or do you have to replace every year or so?
My parents had a fireplace insert that lasted until they moved which was about 18 years. I do not know how long it lasted after that. So, my answer is deffinately yes. The average life expectancy of the the newer EPA certified wood burning fireplace inserts is anywhere from 5 - 10 years depending upon how much they're used and how hot they are burned.
What are the benefits of a wood burning fireplace versus a gas fireplace?
Some of the benefits of a wood burning fireplace include the lower cost of heating a home versus the cost of gas. Wood is also considered a renewable resource so it could be argued is better for the environment than the fossil fuel of gas.
What changes will be made to my fireplace during the installation of gas logs?
First you must figure out if is a vented or non vented gas logs. Also you must inspect you fireplace to make sure it can use gas logs. Most fireplaces can use gas logs so you shouldn't face many changes.
How much does it cost to convert a wood burning fireplace to a gas fireplace?
It is not as bad as you think, the most difficult part is deciding whether to keep it as a gas fireplace or a wood burning fireplace with a gas lighter; so you can have both. Decide the gas to be used, Natural gas or LP (pretty much determined by what is already available) The fireplace itself needs little modification except the gas supply and available electrical circuit (depending what type/style gas fireplace you want.) If you decide on gas with artificial logs, then running black pipe to copper lines is all you need. If you are going to burn gas and use wood then run black pipe throughout (remember to use a cement product, for high heat, to seal any new whole in the fireplace.) Note: Either way you decide thoroughly clean the chimney and fireplace and inspect the doors, damper, flue, and look for cracks in the fireplace. I mention this because it is probably the last time you will need to do that. I have converted fireplaces in both ways; gas to wood burner and wood burner to gas. The insert is the biggest expense you will have, you can easily spend $600 on just those parts; not installed. And please don't forget to install and easily accessible gas shutoff valve.
Where can I get gas grill inserts?
Try the company that made your gas grill first so you can be sure that you get a gas grill insert that fits with your model. Maybe there is a part number on the manual that came with it.
Where can I find gas grill inserts?
Grill covers are pretty common that you could buy one at Wal-Mart or Sears. Alternatively, you can buy online either at Amazon.com or even at a site called buy.com.
Does rotating a gas valve on an indoor fireplace counterclockwise open or close the gas line?
All gas fireplaces have to have a shut-off valve within 10' and that will turn so the key or the handle is parallel to leave gas on and perpendicular to turn gas off. The valve inside the fireplace turns but not indiscriminately. The inner valve will turn to the pilot setting and depress to light the pilot. Once the pilot os stable the knob will un-depress and turn to the On position. For a manual valve this will turn on the gas flow to the main burners. If using a switch or remote turning the valve to On leaves the fireplace valve in a Ready position so the switch or remote will turn on the gas.
Where can one purchase Dimplex fireplace inserts?
You can purchase Dimplex fireplace inserts online from the Amazon website. Once on the page, type "Dimplex fireplace inserts" into the search field at the top of the page and press enter to bring up the items.
