Fireplaces

Probably, but you'll need to get a flashlight and look up the chimney to be positive.

Stockings

Yes, my brother's house in CT. has the same issue and the cause is still undetermined. I initially thought that the house was so tight, that the fireplace "draw" was pulling the gas right thru the traps. That does not appear to be the case as the smell doesn't appear to be coming from the sink. He doesn't know of any vent inside the house, that could explain this. I'm going to suggest that he crack a door or window in the family room and see if that short circuits the draft and has any effect.

The match

Check your local county EPA district laws for current EPA regulations concerning wood burning stoves and fire place inserts in California. As of 1994, California must adhere to strict EPA regulations concerning wood smoke from stoves and fire place inserts which requires a catalytic converter be installed as part of the stove or insert. Most Lopi stoves adhere to these regulations, however they cost three to four times as much as a comparable non catalytic wood stove sold in different states. Also there are regulations for venting as well as fire proofing the floor and walls that can easily add an additional $1000 on top of the price of the stove. Plan on spending $3500 to $6000 dollars installed.

Fireplace screens are pretty simple and straightforward to install. Half the battle is making sure that you buy a screen that is the proper size to fit your fireplace. Most screens require a small amount of assembly, just putting in a few screws. If you buy a free standing screen, then it's as simple as placing it in front of the open fireplace.

Please call the gas company or a furnace repair professional.

I would not take a chance on a regulator install unless you really understand pressure reduction in the flow of gas to an open flame.

Lets face it...do you really want to wake up to a burning room?

Always do the safe thing when it comes to gas-natural or LP!

Good Luck

Tim

The Answer Man

Just light a match and hold it near the flue.

If the the air is going up the chimney you will see the flame drawn in that direction.

A quick search using "Asthma wood smoke" revealed several useful references indicated below. The general consensus is that the smoke from wood burning fireplaces and heating units is an irritant for asthma sufferers. This is probably due to both the inhalable particulate burden and the complex organic molecules such as aldehydes, ketone PAHs etc. present in the smoke.

The impact of smoke is felt both inside the home heated by the wood combustion and outside in urban areas. Other recreational uses (e.g. fire pits) add to this outdoor air burden.

Proposals to change the systems to minimize the impact in homes generally do not address the community impact.

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.

Yes, it can.

When fabric melts off a gas or fireplace front, it can be cleaned using a damp cloth or some abrasive material. The chirred surfaces will loosen up and wash off.

I am having the same problem, possible one of two answers. It's either the switch or the valve. If you follow the cord from the switch it will have a black and a white wire attached to the gas valve under the fireplace. To rule out the switch as the problem take a ordinary paper clip and touch it to the two screws that the wires are attached to, thus completing the circuit and causing your fireplace to light. The other option is that it is the gas valve itself. when the valve is set to the on position and you flick the switch there are tiny little flappers inside the valve that open allowing the gas to flow though, sometimes they can be stuck shut if the fireplace has been sitting awhile. The best answer I got was to tap the sides and top of the valve with a screwdriver or wrench to jar them open.

Other more unlikely options are that the gas valve is not set to "on", there is a on/off switch somewhere on the valve, or that your over all gas pressure in your house has been split to many ways and you don't have enough gas flow to actually run your fireplace.

EXODUS 30:1 -- "Moreover, you shall make an altar as a place for burning incense; you shall make it of acacia wood." -- good enough for God, good enough for us. That's all I got.

The wood fireplace goes back thousands of years and no one knows who invented it.

Benjamin Franklin invented a particular kind of stove (not a fireplace) that was more effective and efficient than a fireplace in warming a room and in fuel consumption. The Franklin Stove was also easier and safer to use for cooking than a fireplace was.

The first gas fireplace is unknown to me but the regular fireplace was made by Benjamin Franklin and it was called the Franklin stove

1- Getting a load letter $260 2- filing fee's $690.00 3- Materials $4,670 4- Labor $12,250 5- Increasing the main (gas) and removing drip legs $2,300 6 - Testing all work $450 7- Installing new vent hood $4,265

You should change the flue if you have ever had a flue fire. you also can remove the base T and use a mirror to look up the flue. If the inside looks warped it should be replaced.

Homeowners insurance covers many things, but not faulty construction or damage caused by deferred maintenance. You will have to check with your insurance company to see if the problem and its cause are covered.

Paint stripper, gloves, and a brush. Check with paint stores for stripper, and for the RIGHT gloves.

Yes! You should use a mortar designed for high heat. Normal mortar tends to try out and crumble. Your local building supply should be able to help you out with the right mixture. (Many high heat furnaces use no mortar at all, stacking the bricks.)

Oil is the most expensive way to heat anything. Check your cost per kwh on your electric bill- easy way= forget all the blah blah and divide the total $ by the total kw. The most efficient heat source is a heat pump. For $400 worth of heat with electric or gas equipment, the same heat may cost you as little as $100.

I need a fireplace insert for a superior Model # HC-3820, where can I find one?

Well I had the same problem before. A little bleach fixed the problem

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It depends on the kind of paint that's on the metal. Latex paint will come off a number of ways:

1. Warm water and dish soap with a VERY soft scrubbing pad often works.

2. Rubbing alcohol or ammonia will also work and are fairly gentle on the underlying metal.

3. A brand of stuff called "Goof-Off," which you can get at any hardware store or Walmart. The stuff smells terrible, and it can be rough on the underlying surface, so use with caution.