Do you love the look and feel of a crackling fire but don’t love the work of wood? After all the long process involves cutting and splitting wood, letting it cure, finding a place to stack it, and cleaning up after burning it? If that’s the case, then a great alternative is gas logs! Whether you like a fire for the aesthetics or you know it’s a great way to heat a room, there’s a type of gas log that will meet your needs.
Types of Gas Logs
Two types of gas logs for you to choose from are vented and vent-free gas logs. If you’re going for the look of a fire without actually being concerned about heat output, vented gas logs are something you might want to look into. If you want a little more heat output, then vent-free gas logs are the way to go. This option uses air from the room it’s in for combustion, then puts heat back out into the room. Because this can sometimes cause an odor, people with allergies or asthma can be negatively affected. You’ll want to keep a window or door cracked open when the unit is in use.
According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) website, another way of looking at this is by flame color. Yellow flame logs are vented, blue flame logs are ventless. The yellow flame logs look very much like a real fire, and, because they are vented through your chimney, will leave soot and carbon in your chimney. Because of this, you’ll need to have your chimney inspected on an annual basis. Blue flame logs are better for heat output and because they can burn with the damper system closed, don’t need a chimney. Air quality in the room could be affected.
If what you want is a realistic looking fireplace, you’ll probably want to look into the vented gas logs. You can choose the type of ‘logs’ you want, including oak, birch, hickory, or more. There are also many sizes to choose from, guaranteeing that you’ll be able to find just the look you’re going for. Unvented gas logs, while better for heating purposes, don’t look as realistic as the vented types of logs.
Installation
Although there are many do-it-yourself jobs out there, installing gas logs is definitely not one of them. Because you’re working with gas, there are certain safety precautions that are necessary to take. Only a certified professional should be entrusted with this job. At Owens Chimney Systems, not only do we know how to install, we can also offer great advice as to which type of log best suits your needs. We can help you choose a system that will give you the heat you’re looking for and look good in your home.
We won’t leave until you are completely comfortable with the operation of your new system. We’re always just a phone call away if you have any questions or problems with the system we install. Give us a call today and you’ll soon be warming up by your new, fuss-free gas fireplace.