stonebase
Bronze Member
Hello Everyone,
As winter approaches I am researching brands of gas fire logs to buy for our home. The home is newly constructed (July this year), total electric, no natural gas so I am working out an agreement with a local fuel supplier for a 100 gallon propane tank which they will keep filled throughout the year. The house was built with a manufactured, zero clearance woodburning firebox that was converted for approved gas use (knockout hole, 1/2 inch lead pipe into box, valve switch & key in floor, pipe stubbed out back exterior wall near chimney)
I hope someone has some experiences with the different types of logs to perhaps make my decision more clearer. The big dilemma seems whether to buy vented or vent free logs. Here's the breakdown, the vented sets are not very effecient energy sources (20-30%) and are basically for appearance and ambiance. To add to the disadvantages, by code, a damper clamp must be installed with these sets that keeps the damper partially open AT ALL times so you are losing heat up the chimney even when the set is not fired up. On the other hand, the vent free sets are very efficient (95 %) and are approved as secondary heat sources (in event of power outtage, etc...)
OK, decision seems like a no brainer? Not actually, as I begin to shop around for these sets there seems to be quite a bit of negative publicity concerning these vent free products, alot of rather serious warnings and disclaimers concerning their installation, etc which really makes me have second thoughts.
First of all the manual provided by the builder for my firebox states in a very vague manner that the product has not been tested and approved for use with an unvented product and not to use a gas log set (un vented) unless that it has specifically been tested for use in this type of firebox. When you look at the literature provided by the log manufacturers it is just as vague. Most just say they are approved for use in solid fuel fireplaces and manufactured fireboxes although a few add the disclaimer (exception, do not use in a product whereby the manufacturer states their product has not been tested with unvented logs) They really dont come out and say they are approved for MY fireplace. It seems that all these manufacturers put alot of effort into wording these statements in order to cover their liability. When you ask dealers at the fire place stores they are divided 50-50 on the issue, some wont even think of placing a set in my situation and some dont think anything of it.
I realize this can be a very serious situation with the potential for fire and all but I would like to take advantage of the effeciency and have a back up source of heat in the winter since we are otherwise 100% reliant on electricity
If anyone has some experiences with this type of situation and would like to share their knowledge it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
John /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
As winter approaches I am researching brands of gas fire logs to buy for our home. The home is newly constructed (July this year), total electric, no natural gas so I am working out an agreement with a local fuel supplier for a 100 gallon propane tank which they will keep filled throughout the year. The house was built with a manufactured, zero clearance woodburning firebox that was converted for approved gas use (knockout hole, 1/2 inch lead pipe into box, valve switch & key in floor, pipe stubbed out back exterior wall near chimney)
I hope someone has some experiences with the different types of logs to perhaps make my decision more clearer. The big dilemma seems whether to buy vented or vent free logs. Here's the breakdown, the vented sets are not very effecient energy sources (20-30%) and are basically for appearance and ambiance. To add to the disadvantages, by code, a damper clamp must be installed with these sets that keeps the damper partially open AT ALL times so you are losing heat up the chimney even when the set is not fired up. On the other hand, the vent free sets are very efficient (95 %) and are approved as secondary heat sources (in event of power outtage, etc...)
OK, decision seems like a no brainer? Not actually, as I begin to shop around for these sets there seems to be quite a bit of negative publicity concerning these vent free products, alot of rather serious warnings and disclaimers concerning their installation, etc which really makes me have second thoughts.
First of all the manual provided by the builder for my firebox states in a very vague manner that the product has not been tested and approved for use with an unvented product and not to use a gas log set (un vented) unless that it has specifically been tested for use in this type of firebox. When you look at the literature provided by the log manufacturers it is just as vague. Most just say they are approved for use in solid fuel fireplaces and manufactured fireboxes although a few add the disclaimer (exception, do not use in a product whereby the manufacturer states their product has not been tested with unvented logs) They really dont come out and say they are approved for MY fireplace. It seems that all these manufacturers put alot of effort into wording these statements in order to cover their liability. When you ask dealers at the fire place stores they are divided 50-50 on the issue, some wont even think of placing a set in my situation and some dont think anything of it.
I realize this can be a very serious situation with the potential for fire and all but I would like to take advantage of the effeciency and have a back up source of heat in the winter since we are otherwise 100% reliant on electricity
If anyone has some experiences with this type of situation and would like to share their knowledge it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
John /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif