Ventless Gas Logs Problems



Ventless gas logs for fireplaces are clean and economical. They are good sources of heat as well. But there are ventless gas logs problems and we will highlight some of the issues with this type of gas logs in this post.

One of the problems that are often asked about ventless gas logs is the associated odor problems. The odors are normally caused by chemicals or airborne contaminants being drawn into the burner. These contaminants are then altered when combusted producing a certain odor.

There is a solution with this problem. The odors can only be handled when the burner has sufficient supply of clean and fresh air. If you have odor problem that you suspect is related to the ventfree appliance you have, check the chemicals in your house. You can start with products like deodorizers, detergents, and cleaners because these have “offgas” chemicals. Make sure to put them as far as possible to the fireplace. You should also check newly finished wood and new carpets.

Also take note that when you operate the ventless gas logs for the first time, it may produce an odor. This is because the log set cures, producing odor, when used for the first time. This odor problem will usually vanish after 4 to 8 hours of burning. You need to keep the fireplace damper open if this occurs.

The second major concern with ventless gas logs is the moisture. When operating properly, the ventless appliance usually produces carbon dioxide and water vapor only. Carbon dioxide is the gas animals and humans exhale. The water vapor as a product does seem to be a concern during the winter season. At this time of the year, the humidity level is normally low; thus, the additional water vapor may not be a problem. But you will sometimes notice that there is an accumulation of moisture in the interior of the walls or the windows. This is a sign that you need to allow more ventilation inside the house because your place is fairly airtight with the gas logs operating for a long time.

The third concern is the log positioning. The logs should be positioned as recommended by the manual. Never alter this arrangement because most ventless gas logs have pins or groves to ensure that these gas logs are installed properly. If positioned improperly, the flame may come in contact with the log and this will lead to production of soot.

These ventless gas logs problems are easily handled with the proper care and common sense. Make sure to check your owner’s manual if you are confused.

Ventless Gas Logs Fireplace



Ventless gas logs fireplace can also be referred to as non-vented, unvented, or ventfree gas logs. Unlike the vented gas logs with its yellow flame, this type burns with the blue flame. This flame is hot and clean because it does not produce soot.

Because it is hot, the ventless gas logs fireplace can serve as a supplement to one’s primary heating system. The only concern is that these gas logs are usually not as attractive compared to the vented logs. Its only advantage is that it produces more heat.

Because the vent less gas log is not producing soot, the fireplace can be operated with the damper fully closed. Hence, it forces all the heat to be concentrated into the room.

The blower systems can also be used with most ventless gas logs. There are some models of ventless gas logs that require the use of specific blower systems. At times, the use of a blower not specific for a particular log set may affect the burner flame pattern. This can also cause the flame to produce soot which is not normal.

Ventless gas logs for fireplace have a limitation in maximum BTU input of 40,000 BTU. These gas logs require an oxygen depletion sensor or ODS too. This sensor shuts the gas logs off when the oxygen level turns too low. Usually, the lowest limit when the ODS starts to shut off the system is when the room oxygen level falls to 18%. The normal oxygen level of the air is 21%.

Most ventless gas logs require installations with a hood over the opening of the fireplace. Because the heat is forced out of the fireplace opening, the mantles tend to get very hot. The hood serves as a protection to this heat. Your manufacturer will even state the required clearance between the opening and the mantle. But the mantle can still hot even with this clearance. Thus, installing a hood with this type of gas logs is always a great addition.

Never operate your ventless gas logs with your fireplace doors closed. When you do that, the glass doors will likely overheat and this can make the glass shatter. When the appliance is operating, you need to take into account that the spark screens installed in front of the ventless logs can become very hot too.

In closing, the ventless gas logs fireplace can be an option for your home because it is economical, clean, and can also provide a supplemental heating source. Its downside is that it can get ugly with the hood, unlike the aesthetically pleasing vented gas logs fireplace.

Vented Gas Logs for Fireplace



With the gaining popularity of gas fireplace logs, I was driven to write this post especially dedicated to the subject. I will write more on one particular gas log, the vented gas logs for fireplace.

Fueled by natural or propane gas, gas logs for fireplace convinced many wood burners to finally get rid of the log splitters for the sake of convenience. Vented gas logs have the beauty of a wood burning fire but with the convenience of gas. In fact, the heat output of vented gas logs is actually better than the output from the traditional wood fire.

The gas logs are made from high density refractory material that radiates the heat after it warms up. Thus, vented gas logs produce a high quality fire that resembles that of wood fire but without the ash and dust. What’s best is that you don’t have to deal with wood chips on your carpet or running in the middle of the night to get wood outside of the house.

The fire from vented gas logs is a yellow flame. This natural flame however is not as hot as the typical blue gas flame. This type of flame contains soot. Hence, using vented gas logs requires the use of chimney cleaning.

Because vented gas logs are producing smoke and soot, your fireplace damper should be completely open when using it. Just like real wood, it also produces carbon monoxide. This is another reason to open that damper. In addition, using the blowers is not much recommended because the gas logs produce soot. You don’t want your blower to blow soot all over your living room, do you?

Vented gas logs must be installed only in wood burning fireplaces that are working well. If the fireplace is not operable with burning wood, then it might not work with a gas log too. After all, a gas log is not the solution to a problematic fireplace.

If you opt to go with a factory-built fireplace, make sure to check that the fireplace is approved for gas log’s installation. Do not worry; most of these factory-made fireplaces are approved for installation of vented gas logs.

In ending, it is highly recommended to buy vented gas logs for your fireplace. It resembles the old and traditional wood burning fireplace with its beauty and realistic look but with the convenience of gas for fuel. But do not expect that vented gas logs will serve as your secondary heat source. You will only be disappointed.

Installing Gas Logs Fireplace



There are many concerns on installing gas logs fireplace. Thus, this post will present steps to installing gas logs in your fireplace:
The first step is to get your gas logs. I recommend that you get them on the internet because it is cheaper to buy online. But if you are in a hurry though, you can always buy at the nearest Home Depot. The gas log set must have a perforated pipe to distribute the gas and a rack to hold the logs.

Make sure that you have a gas pipe in your fireplace. If not, find the nearest gas pipe to the fireplace. Put the pipe and the log rack in the middle of the fireplace. From there, you will be able to estimate how much pipe you will need. You will also find the right fittings to connect the perforated pipe to the source of the gas.

This is an optional step. You can also purchase gas pilot lights so you do not need to light a match every time you need to light the logs. You can install these pilot lights on the side of the fireplace like the way the gas line comes into the fireplace. I strongly suggest the simple pilot. This makes the lighting of the logs a simple task of merely turning the knob.

The next step is to connect the gas line to the pilot and the perforated pipe under the log rack. There is a metal tube from the pilot base to the pilot bracket. Connect the pilot bracket to the end of the perforated pipe. Refer to the instructions with the pilot unit for more details.

Use the yellow gas tape when sealing the joints. Before you light the pilot, make sure to check for gas leaks. Drip soapy water on all the joints and turn on the gas. If you have already checked all the pipes for leaks, light the pilot. Then, turn on the gas to the perforated pipe. You will only be ready to place the logs when the pipe lights evenly.
Most logs come with simulated ashes. You can now spread the ashes around. Just follow the manufacturer’s instructions for scattering the ashes. This provides a real atmosphere when you heat up the fireplace already.

Onto the rack, place the logs. Stack them to your liking and you are done installing your gas logs for the fireplace.

Different Designs Of Small Fireplace Screen



Are you in need of a new small fireplace screen? If so then you have a lot of options now available to you. They come in different types of metal such as iron, steel, copper, and brass, and there are even a few options that utilize glass in their design. It is also possible to get hold of single, double, three piece as well as folding screens.

No matter what the type of fireplace you have, a screen would help to ensure that the potential hazard is reduced. There should be no need to discuss the consequences that an unguarded fire can pose. Choosing the best possible fireplace screen is a prerequisite for every homeowner.

Before spending your money you should check out the following pointers that should make certain that the fire screen you buy and use is adequate.

If you have children or pets then the type of screen chosen needs to protect them from the heat of the fire. Sadly it is all too easy for accidents to occur, make sure that the fireplace screen you purchase has been designed with children and animals in mind if that is what you require. It should also help to ensure that no furnishings or flooring become damaged from the heat of the fire.

If you’re opting for a multi piece screen then these are likely to be more stable than the one piece design. This is more of a factor if you have children or a pet as you would want to be certain that the screen cannot fall over easily.

When it comes to comparing the sizes of fireplace screens you should understand that it needs to be kept at least a foot in distance away from the actual heat source as well as any objects in the room. Do not just focus on the width; the height of the screen is also important.

The handles and hinges are also important factors. If you need to move the screen often to attend to the fire then make sure that the handles are easy to hold and do not absorb too much heat.

The actual color and style of any fireplace screens are down to your own tastes. Consider the decor of the room the fireplace is in. Would you want to opt for a classical style or a more modern and bold finish?

It does not matter how big the size of your room, choosing the right fireplace screen can make the difference in both safety and the aesthetic appeal.

How Fireplace Wood Inserts Can Improve Your Home



Fireplace wood inserts can drastically increase the beauty of a home while also increasing the efficiency of the wood that is burned within a home as well. There are actually many benefits to be had through the use of this type of product. This article will discuss why the addition of an insert to your fireplace can dramatically raise the quality of life you experience on a regular basis to a whole new level.

A great feature that is inherent in this type of product is the fact that it can actually keep the air quality of a home clean. This type of product is usually equipped with special features that can help maintain a clean air quality inside a home. In fact, the quality of air this product type can provide for a home is usually much better than the quality of air that homes maintain when there is only a standard fireplace pit in place.

This product is also incredibly beneficial to most homes, because it can increase the efficiency of a fireplace as well. So, you will be able to generate more heat for your home by using the same exact amount of food you are currently burning. This feature can not only make burning wood in your fireplace more affordable, but it can also make the process much easier to handle as well.

When you have one of these products in your fireplace, you will not have to constantly manage the wood that is burning in order to maintain the heat levels your home provides. In fact, you can actually burn less wood in this type of product in order to produce the same exact amount of heat that your current fireplace is producing.

One of the primary benefits of installing this type of product in a home is the fact that it can greatly increase the aesthetic beauty of the interior design of a house. Many homes have outdated fireplaces that can actually decrease the value of a home to degree. If you have one of these inserts installed into your home’s fireplace, you can actually improve the looks of your fireplace, and as a result increase the value of your home.

The faceplates that are incorporated in fireplace wood inserts can actually drastically revamp a fireplace. In many cases, this kind of feature incorporated into a home’s fireplace can actually make the fireplace appear to be more modern than it truly is. This is why this type of addition, along with the health benefits an insert can provide, is one of the best items you can buy for your wood burning fireplace today.

How To Select The Right Fireplace Spark Guards For Your Home



Purchasing fireplace spark guards may be a fairly minor purchase when it comes to the decorations of your home, but when you are looking for this type of item, you need to remember that there are a few specific features that you should look for before you commit to a specific product.

A very important feature of this type of product is the size of the product. In order to buy appropriate screen products for your home, you must measure the size of the fireplace you will be covering. Once you know the size of the fireplace you are covering, you can find products that can meet your requirements.

The next step you must take it is a search through the many different styles that are available today in this industry. If there is already metal present within your fireplace, and the metal is fairly obvious and out in the open, you might be a good idea to match the metal screen you purchase with the metal that is already present in your fireplace.

When it comes to the style of the product you purchase, you may also want to keep in mind that these products can be fairly elaborate. If you want to minimize the amount of attention your fireplace gets on a regular basis, you should opt for some of the more simple screen items that are being sold to the open market today.

If you would like your fireplace to portray an elegant design style, you may want to look for the more refined and elaborate screens on the market right now. While you are looking through the various screens available today, you need to understand that these products come with a wide variety of different doors installed on them as well.

Some of the screens do not actually come with doors though. These products are generally more suitable for homes that do not generally require access to the fire pit itself. If you require access to your fire pit on a regular basis, to insert wood and other material that the fire pit, you should definitely choose a product that has an accessible screen door on the front of it.

So, as long as you take the size of your screen, the style of your screen, and the shape of the doors on the screen into consideration before making a purchase, you will definitely purchase the best fireplace spark guards products available for your house. You may also want to consider the fact that some of the businesses supplying screen items to the market today produce very refined and stylish screen products. These products are particularly perfect for homes that have a fairly fancy interior design theme.

Benefits Of A Fireplace Remote Control



Let’s face it, sitting down in your favorite armchair in front of a glowing gas fire can be one of the most relaxing times of the day. If when slumped in your chair you do not want to get up to alter the temperature every so often then the solution would be to use a fireplace remote control.

Even if you do not want to buy a new gas appliance you can still make full use of a fireplace remote control. It is possible for them to be integrated into your existing gas appliances. In most situations they can be operated at a distance of up to twenty five feet, far enough for even the largest of rooms. The main principle is not any different to other remote controls such as your garage door opener. Radio frequencies are utilized to send information from the transmitter to the receiver.

There are many advantages that are had by controlling your gas fir remotely. This article has been compiled to give you an understanding of the most important.

Watching TV: If you do not like to be disturbed when watching your favorite TV shows and movies than a remote control for the fireplace can be utilized to great effect. No longer will you have to keep getting up just as the temperature hots up on the screen as well as in the room.

Bedroom: If you live in a cold part of the country then you may often keep your gas fire going at night. By using a remote control you would not have to be up during the night to alter the temperature or switch the appliance off, it can all be done from the comfort of your bed.

Safety: Do you enjoy turning your gas fire up to maximum. If so then the metal surrounding the appliance may become hot to touch. By using a fireplace remote you would not have to worry about getting burnt. You can safely control the heat from a distance.

Elderly and Disabled: Perhaps you have family members that have mobility issues. By integrating a remote control into the gas fire you can be certain that elderly relatives can control the ambient temperature easily without having to struggle to alter the settings manually.

A gas fireplace is the perfect replacement to the wooden fires that used to be a feature in our homes. By incorporating the latest technology into your gas appliance you can guarantee to be comfortable at all times.

The Benefits Of Using A Fireplace Remote Control



Having a warm fire in a room is a real luxury. There is very little that can compare to the feeling of heat on a cold day. Modern appliances are very different to the type of products we had in our homes even just a decade ago, technology has brought huge benefits to our lives. Now it is possible to use a fireplace remote control to manage your homes heating.

Unlike the old fashioned wood and coal fires, a modern fireplace fuelled by gas or electric can be controlled remotely. Obviously this brings a number of improvements to the householder. It is now possible to maintain the correct temperature and ambience in any room without having to get up from your sofa or bed.

The following information has been compiled to give you a broader understanding of how a remotely controlled fireplace is operated.

Usually the device would utilize a radio frequency to send signals to the fireplace. The basic principle is the same as the way a TV remote control operates. For the commands to be carried out instantly you would need to have a clear line of sight between the transmitter (remote control) and the receiver (fireplace).

If you have a gas fire then the signal sent by the remote can trigger the pilot light and gas to start. It can then be used to alter the settings and control the temperature. With an electric fireplace there would be less mechanism involved.

Though there is a wide selection of new gas and electric fireplaces that come with remote controls it is also possible to adapt your original fireplace to incorporate a receiver and transmitter. This would be more economical than upgrading to newer model simply to have the remote control facility.

Fireplace remotes are a great addition to any home but more so for people that have mobility problems. Depending upon the actual product the range of the device can be up to twenty five feet. No longer is it necessary for elderly family members to struggle to control the temperature in their rooms. A remote control gives them to freedom to live their lives in a greater comfort.

It is also worth pointing out that by controlling a fire remotely you will be reducing the risk of being burnt by any hot metal. Unfortunately thousands of people a year become injured when manually controlling their gas and electric fires.

Advice For Choosing Fireplace Hearth Rugs



There is very little that can compare to the feeling of a warm fire on a chilly day. If you live in a cold region of the country then you may have a number of fireplaces or hearths in your home. To ensure that the surrounding flooring is protected from embers and other hot material you should check out the latest selection of fireplace hearth rugs.

Unfortunately accidents do happen. If you have a wood fire then there is the very real chance of sparks flying out and coming into contact with flammable material such as floorboards and carpets. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to ensure that all hazards are reduced.

Fireplace hearth rugs are made form a fire retardant material that helps to ensure the area immediately in front of your fireplace is safe at all times. Previously, rugs that were placed in front of a fireplace would mostly have been made from wool; though this would protect the floor, the rug itself would get damaged.

The products available today are made out of fabrics which are far more durable as they have self extinguishing properties. Any embers that happen to fall on the rug would not damage the fiber; all that would be required is to remove the ash. Obviously this is far more advantageous than the old fashioned designs that would need replacing every few months.

Apart from the extra safety that a new hearth rug brings, they can also add to the overall ambience in the home. Today they are available in almost any conceivable design, shape, size, style, and texture. A fireplace rug should be thought of as a stylish accessory to the home and not just a practical object.

Before you spend your money you should understand how to choose the best product for your hearth. Though cost would be a factor for most people, you should not always opt for the cheapest rugs as they may not be so effective in reducing the chance of fire. It would make sense to choose a rug which offers a high degree of fire resistance as this would also have a longer life.

Make sure you understand the exact area which needs to be protected by the rug. If you are not certain, go for a bigger estimate rather than smaller. By taking time to explore the options in full you would have a better chance of locating a fireplace rug which is perfect for your needs.