Gas Fireplace

[doubledown]

There are some very efficient solid-fuel burning appliances on the market these days if you want to heat with wood. If you have an existing masonry fireplace and like the look of wood heating, you should pick up a fireplace insert for your fireplace and install one of those. It also means relining your chimney with a metal liner but at least you'll end up with a positive energy efficient appliance rather than a negative energy efficient open fireplace.

If you purchase glass doors for your fireplace to reduce heat loss when not in use, do not close them when you are burning as you'll effectively double the temperatures in the firepit, and this could create a possible fire hazard.

Here's a good site for more information - http://www.woodheat.org/

Bottom line, wood can be a pain in the ass if you live in the city, but it can save you money on gas/oil usage and looks nice. I'd go with gas.

 

[tboy]

Hammerstein, I never would (or should I say wood lol) have guessed that anyone in the last 20 yrs would (there's that word again) install any boiler system based on burning wood for fuel.

Here's some links:

http://www.warmlyyours.com/

(the above uses electric heat, I would assume coils)

http://www.radiantec.com/heatsources.htm

(the above offers a boiler that uses wood and cough cough, COAL)

This following one also indicates my advice about using hardwood over radiant floor heating....

http://www.powerhousetv.com/stellent2/groups/public/documents/pub/phtv_se_he_bu_000598.hcsp

 

[MarkII]

I've looked through the threads here and one thing has not been addressed.

That is the air flow.

It's a no brainer if you can use a high efficiency gas fireplce..use it.

But, if the warm air is constricted to one room..whats the point?

In most homes the fireplace has been put in a family room or basement.

Family rooms only heat the surrounding area, and basements are traditionally closed off for summer cooling.

If you choose to use a "fireplace" regardless of heat source, consider the heat flow. Can it flow easily to the upper floors? Thats all it wants to do. If it's trapped in one room, the rest of your house will be cold.

A buddy of mine heats his house with a basement woodstove. He designed his house to be open concept to the upper floors. He uses only wood and has great results. He ALSO..very important..has his wood chimney swept for chreosote (sp?) 3 times per heating season. The rule of thumb is once every 80 or so fires.(might be less) He's on the cusp..but he use's a stainless steel chimney. Thats a real danger...not cleaning the chimney if you use wood. factor that into your costing. A wood chimney requires maintenance. The point is..he keeps it clean to avoid fires in the chimney..and thats really important!

Heating a house from one small wood buring stove can be done, but it does mean the house has to be heat flow friendly.

Seek the advice of a heating professional.

M2

 

[oldjones]

Are you suggesting a gas fireplace could be unsafe as well?

If you get a certified model from a reputable dealer, installed by a licensed gasfitter and inspected by the TSSA, then it'll be as safe as houses. Anything less, it's your call.

If installed in a sleeping area, it must be provided with exterior vent—think chimmney—and I believe the code now requires the sleeping area have a source of outside air even if the gas fireplace isn't required to. Best if it did too.

But don't you get excited about saving energy by sealing your house up tight without thinking about all those open flames: furnace, hotwater heater, stove, gas dryer, fireplace, and how they all compete with you for O2. Codes are very poor protection after the fact.

 

[booboobear]

Wood fireplaces are a liability because:

1) They waste SO much energy for simply asthetic appeal (and smell of burning wood)
2) Chimney fires are a major problem because most people don't clean them as often as they should
3) In today's society of "simple is better" who wants to shovel out ashes, and the associated mess, buy cords of wood, chop some for kindling, roll up balls of paper, etc etc when you can just push a button?

Don't assume they are a liabilty for the reasons mentioned above ,they only
state facts related to efficiency . Some people want a wood fireplace not gas , my brother is one and he doesn't care if he has to clean it out.
Gas fireplaces suck they are just an invention for the modern lazy person.

 

[Maxie]

Gas fireplaces suck they are just an invention for the modern lazy person.

Agreed, what's the point of a fireplace if its fake, and am wondering if the gas fireplace lobby is behind attempts to make its products safer in the eyes of consumers. Quite frankly I'm scared to go near any gas appliance thinking its going to explode in my face.

 

[booboobear]

Agreed, what's the point of a fireplace if its fake, and am wondering if the gas fireplace lobby is behind attempts to make its products safer in the eyes of consumers. Quite frankly I'm scared to go near any gas appliance thinking its going to explode in my face.

I'm with you, the beauty of a fireplace is ..... fire as any camper will know.
I don't get this reason some people use to buy a gas fireplace to ... heat ? there house . Thats what furnaces are for . Wood fireplaces are for the beauty of fire.