| Frequently asked questions about fireplaces center | | | | damper completely open which means you'd lose $.60 |
| around four key areas; Venting, Remote Control, | | | | of every heating dollar you put into the house. |
| Converting from one fuel to another, and Piping & | | | | Therefore, when you want to turn it on, you have to |
| Dampers. | | | | open the damper. So most people just turn it on when |
| Venting Questions | | | | they are opening the damper and find the remote |
| What is the difference between direct vent, b vent, | | | | unnecessary. |
| totally vented and ventless? | | | | Should I buy a remote ready with vent-free gas logs? |
| A wood-burning fireplace is totally vented. For a | | | | Yes. We suggest that you get a thermostatically |
| complete explanation of these terms, see our venting | | | | controlled remote so that you can keep the room at a |
| page . | | | | comfortable temperature and so you can turn the unit |
| Can I put a cabinet around direct vent, ventless or | | | | on and off. The longest lasting valve and remote are |
| b-vent? | | | | the units that vary the height of the flame. |
| Cabinets are boxes that extend about 18" from the | | | | Conversion Questions |
| wall. Mantels are wood frames that only extend about | | | | Can I convert my vent-free natural gas product to |
| 4" - 6" from the wall. | | | | another fuel? |
| * B-vent cannot have a cabinet. A b-vent fireplace | | | | No. By national code, you cannot convert any |
| must be installed in the wall, allowing all the piping to be | | | | vent-free product. |
| hidden. You may then use a mantel. * Direct vents can | | | | Can I convert my vented propane gas logs to natural, |
| have a cabinet if you vent piping out the back. * | | | | or vice versa? |
| Vent-free can have a cabinet. | | | | Yes. You can convert natural to propane and propane |
| Can I use vented gas logs in a stove? ...In a fireplace? | | | | to natural, but in most cases, you need to buy a new |
| ...In a coal burning fireplace? | | | | valve. Your manufacturer can provide conversion |
| Vented gas logs can only be used in a wood-burning | | | | instructions. |
| fireplace. A coal-burning fireplace is too shallow. | | | | Piping, Dampers & Flue Questions |
| Vented gas logs are not recommended for a stove | | | | How much can I close my damper with vented gas |
| due to safety concerns. | | | | logs when in use? |
| I am remodeling my basement. Should I go with direct | | | | You cannot close your damper at all with vented gas |
| vent or vent-free? | | | | logs while they are burning. |
| Direct vent will give you great looks and a good | | | | How can I seal my damper with vent-free gas logs? |
| amount of heat with little moisture. Vent-free will give | | | | We would recommend that you close the damper as |
| you lots of heat and good looks but the number one | | | | tight as you can and get a Lock-Top damper that |
| complaint about vent-free is it works too well, or puts | | | | seals at the top of the chimney. |
| off too much heat. If the vent-free is sized correctly to | | | | With a direct vent insert, do I need to reline the |
| the room, you will not have a problem with heat or | | | | chimney? |
| moisture. | | | | No, you do not have to reline to wood burning |
| What is a chase? | | | | specifications, but you must use the piping that is |
| A wooden structure built around the vent pipe to | | | | recommended by the manufacturer, which fits into the |
| protect it from the weather and to keep the flue | | | | existing chimney. |
| gases venting properly. | | | | What are the different kinds of burner pans for |
| How energy efficient is direct vent compared to | | | | vent-free gas logs? |
| b-vent? | | | | There is sheet metal, black pipe and stainless steel. |
| A b-vent fireplace is the least efficient venting option | | | | The advantage of the sheet metal is that it is less |
| and can be vented horizontally or vertically. Direct | | | | expensive. Black pipe is heavier than sheet metal and |
| venting is the most efficient; some are even "heater | | | | costs a little more. The disadvantage of both is that |
| rated" and can be vented horizontally, vertically or both. | | | | they can rust through because they have very little |
| Remote Controls | | | | rust protection. Stainless steel costs more, but will not |
| What does remote ready mean? Does it come with a | | | | corrode or burn through and it will last a lifetime. |
| remote? | | | | How high above the roof should a chimney extend? |
| Remote ready means that via the remote (wired or | | | | The minimum clearance for wood or b-vent is 3 feet |
| wireless) you can turn the unit on and off which | | | | above anything within 10 feet. For direct vent it is 18 |
| requires a millivolt valve that creates millionths of volts | | | | inches above anything within 10 feet. |
| of electricity to control the valve. Remote ready units | | | | With direct vent or wood burning, what kind of piping |
| do not come with a remote because there are up to | | | | do I use? |
| 20 different kinds of remotes. | | | | You must use manufacturer-approved piping. |
| Can I use my wired wall switch or thermostat with | | | | Can different piping be used if I can't find the original |
| variable high-lo logs or fireplace? | | | | manufacturer's? |
| No. You have to use the remote that is designed for | | | | No. If you use another manufacturer's piping and it |
| the high-lo variable logs or fireplaces. | | | | creates a problem in your house; i.e., a fire or smoke |
| What is a high-lo valve? | | | | damage, no insurance company will cover you. You will |
| Via the remote, you will be able to raise and lower the | | | | also void the warranty and inspectors will not approve |
| height of the flame. The remotes are adjustable as | | | | it. |
| either on off or thermostatically controlled. | | | | If brick is cracked can I burn wood? |
| Should I buy a remote ready vented logs set? | | | | If the crack is bigger than the tip of a graphite pencil, |
| No. Because you would have to always leave the | | | | we do not recommend that you burn wood. |