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Another reason (Reply to this comment)
by whiskytangofox
One additional reason to never get unvented gas logs is the soot generation problem that occurs when there is flame impingement on the artificial logs. There are a number of subtle causes of this sooting issue and it can very slowly fill the interior of the house with soot that makes a huge mess that can only be removed with chemical cleaning.
This does not occur in a vented gas log set.
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Nov 20 '11
12:27 pm PST
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Re: Getting a match (Reply to this comment)
by the_gas_man
Hi Dancingwings,
A gas logs are sold as a set and both the logs and the gas burners are tested in a specific designed position as specified by the manufacturer. Therefore it would be very dangerous to simple try to acquire a replace set of logs and place them over an existing burner, likely ending with sooting, carbon monoxide and possible delayed ignition issues.
There are literally hundreds of designed and certified sets to choose from these days, so it should be relatively easy to find one that suits both your size requirements and tastes.
Whatever you have in your existing fireplace should be removed by the gasfitter who is installing the new gas log set.
Thanks for the question, best of luck.
Regards,
The Gasman
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Jul 16 '10
5:09 am PDT
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Getting a match (Reply to this comment)
by dancingwings
Thanks for your highly informative piece. I recently bought a house with a vented gas fireplace. The flames come out of a series of holes in a fireplace grate. I want to buy a decorative gas log set for this set up. Any advice? Do I need to line these holes up with holes in the logs or do I just find a bunch of logs and set them on top of the grate?
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Jul 10 '10
6:10 pm PDT
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Re: Gas Log Conversion From Wood Fireplace (Reply to this comment)
by the_gas_man
You wouldn't be the first to do so. Quite often people miss the old smell and feel of a real wood fire and go back to them.
I've even considered it in one of my fireplaces, but don't tell anyone.
Regards,
The Gasman
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May 27 '09
8:28 am PDT
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Re: No chimney lining?? (Reply to this comment)
by the_gas_man
Sorry for the long delay in responding, I just saw your comment and did not get an email alert to it last November.
If the chimney is an old brick and mortar type you are right, in that it requires a clay chimney liner to be brought up to safety code. For a gas log set you can't line the clay tile liner with an aluminum liner, but if you were considering an insert, you would install a 4" two ply liner in the clay tile liner.
I simply forget sometimes that there are still some pretty old houses out there that do not have even the clay tile liner in them.
Thanks for the correction, I hope you see this response.
Regards,
The Gasman
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May 27 '09
8:27 am PDT
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Gas Log Conversion From Wood Fireplace (Reply to this comment)
by hdl37
I did this 9 years ago and hate it. Thinking of replacing wood.
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Nov 18 '08
12:03 pm PST
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No chimney lining?? (Reply to this comment)
by joann59
Hi Gasman,
I have read your articles with great interest.
But I'm confused on one point. You say, with regard to gas logs: "The chimney does not have to be lined, in fact, according to gas codes, it can't be lined with a gas log set, further lowering installation costs." I thought you *had* to line the chimney, regardless?? I read articles that warned of burning your house down if a hot spark from even a gas fire gets into a chink in the chimney. I have a very old unlined brick and mortar chimney.
My dilemma is whether to install a gas log unit or put in an insert. (The fireplace is very small and I've only found one insert, a B-vent, that will possibly fit and it may be a pain to make it look nice.) If I don't have to line the chimney for gas logs, that makes my decision easier. (I'm in a non-Arctic climate and my fireplace is an efficient "Rumford" design, according to a mason who looked at it, so I reckon heat output is not a huge factor.)
Can you clarify about lining vs. not lining a chimney for gas logs? Thanks.
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Nov 04 '08
9:04 am PST
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Re: What to do if you have a Gas Log (Reply to this comment)
by the_gas_man
Thanks for the interesting comment. I hadn't thought of that as a solution to the heat loss problem. Kind of like putting a condom on the chimney that bursts if you use it, only no unwanted pregnancy. Sounds okay to me, if a bit expensive. Incidentally, the danger does not come from CO2 which is carbon dioxide, it is from CO which is Carbon monoxide. CO2 is not officially safe to inhale in large amounts but it is not as deadly to mammals as CO.
The code still requires a mechanically fixed (open)Damper if you put a vented gas log in. I haven't heard of any revisions to national codes to accept your unusual and innovative solution.
Regards,
Gasman
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Mar 29 '08
3:31 pm PDT
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What to do if you have a Gas Log (Reply to this comment)
by jrguatemala
I sure wish I had read this before I had a vented gas log put in our fireplace. I didnt realize they would have to disable my damper with a clip that essentially allows cold air to pour in all the time since it hold the damper open! This must be the code thing you talked about.
I found a tricky work around though. If you plug the damper area with a chimney balloon it is technically not a damper (so it is allowable) and it will melt if you light the gas log under it on accident so you dont die from CO2.
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Mar 28 '08
12:27 pm PDT
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Re: Clean the Air and Save Money Too( (Reply to this comment)
by the_gas_man
That's who I forgot to mention in this article under "Who Loves Them?". The Gas Utilities love them, because if you're not buying wood, which they don't sell, you're buying more gas for your gas log set and more gas for your central heating system.
To be fair though, they are not lying when they suggest conversion to a gas log set from wood burning is better for the environment. Smoke from inefficient wood burning fireplaces plays havoc with the local pollution levels. There's no doubt that gas is the lesser of the two evils.
Thanks for the comment on this aging review. Glad you took something away from it.
Regards,
Gasman
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Dec 04 '05
5:06 am PST
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Clean the Air and Save Money Too(?!) (Reply to this comment)
by advisor2001
That was the title (punctuated by me) of the insert I received with this month's utility bill. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District was offering $100 rebates to residents who install gas logs. It seemed like a good idea until I read your review. On second thought, I think I'll NOT use my fireplace, NOT get a gas log, and save even more. Thanks for a fine review!
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Nov 13 '05
7:50 pm PST
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Re: You know... (Reply to this comment)
by the_gas_man
Thanks for your comment Micheal,
As for having cornered the market on cold climates, you should try living in my igloo up here in Canada some day. Gotta run, my fireplace is melting the roof.
For the record, my fireplaces are shut down for the entire summer (July and most of August!) *L* Take care.
Regards,
Gasman
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Mar 12 '02
10:13 am PST
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You know... (Reply to this comment)
by GuisBuild
here in Michigan where we certainly have a monopoly on cold weather (eh?) I am putting more of these units in than I ever have in the past. Many of the high-end homes/condos we're building are purchased by those who don't live in them year 'round. They're running their fireplaces in the summer (go figure) so this is a perfect solution for them.
Great review, as always...
Michael
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Mar 12 '02
6:05 am PST
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Re: To Be :Honest - (Reply to this comment)
by the_gas_man
Thanks again for your encouraging comments Virginia. That would be a cruel law to pass, wouldn't it? *S*
Take care,
Regards
Gasman
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Mar 11 '02
10:52 pm PST
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To Be :Honest - (Reply to this comment)
by Granniemose
I think a law should be passed making your reviews a must read before these appliances could be sold. (the buyer should be required to take a test). Maybe that's going a bit too far, but I do (really) wonder how much money your reviews have saved the consumer, or how many lives may have been saved by your warnings. Great job.
Virginia
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Mar 09 '02
12:43 pm PST
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Re: If it doesn't snap, crackle & pop ... (Reply to this comment)
by the_gas_man
Sorry Lynn,
I forgot to include that optional feature in this review. Although I did in a previous review, which you must have missed,.. for shame.
Actually, you can order a little battery powered, black box that will produce the missing snap, crackle and pop sound effects you like.
I stuck one on one of my own gas fireplaces, as a joke (it was a free sample anyway). It operates off of the remote control. Personally, I think it sounds more like static on a poorly tuned radio. I never use it, unless,someone visiting makes a comment about the fireplace like the one you made here.
Thanks for your comments, keep your stick on the ice and your head up.
Regards,
Gasman
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Mar 09 '02
4:41 am PST
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Re: Hot & Bothered.... (Reply to this comment)
by the_gas_man
Thanks Exploder,
However, I feel ratings are over-rated, I'd be just as happy with little buttons that said,
"Didn't Read It",
"Don't want to Read it."
"Might Read on My Death Bed (to pass the time)
"I Read it, All The Way To The Boring End."
Years ago I would have agreed with your view on the usefulness of gas log sets. However, I have come to realize that there are people around who have homes in warm places, but still want a fire roaring, especially around Christmas or when entertaining. For those who want the effect without the heat, these products are the solution.
Back yard patio gas fires fall into the same category, and will be the subject of an upcoming review. Coming soon to an Epinions near you! I sure people are on the edge of their seat, awaiting that blockbuster.
Take care,
Regards,
Gasman
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Mar 09 '02
4:31 am PST
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Re: Wow! (Reply to this comment)
by the_gas_man
I'm glad you feel you learn something from them. You never know when either you or a friend will be out buying one of these products, and you'll be able to amaze everyone with your depth of knowledge on gas appliances, safety issues and efficiencies. Otherwise, I do realize that there isn't much entertainment value in them.
Thanks for leaving your comments,
Regards,
Gasman
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Mar 09 '02
4:18 am PST
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If it doesn't snap, crackle & pop ... (Reply to this comment)
by mr_calcul8r
I'd rather buy the fireplace video and watch it on television! *LOL*
These aren't for me, but you certainly discuss them in depth so that someone considering one has the requisite information for deciding if it is for them.
Great review, Lance -- again!
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Mar 09 '02
1:43 am PST
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Hot & Bothered.... (Reply to this comment)
by exploder
...Sorry the Epinion God's won't allow me to give this an MH. So I'll add it here in the comments section:
M-O-S-T____H-E-L-P-F-U-L
Where there's a will there is a way!
Gas log sets appear to be about as much use as a chocolate tea pot!
Exploder....
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Mar 08 '02
9:12 pm PST
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Wow! (Reply to this comment)
by 4rhodes
You continue to amaze me! Thank you for another totally informative review. Thank you for all of this extra education, this is really nice to learn.
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Mar 08 '02
7:10 pm PST
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Re: There's no room... (Reply to this comment)
by the_gas_man
Andrew,
Should I take that to mean, you find my reviews boring? (O ye'll tak' the low road, and I'll tak' the high road, And ye'll be in Scotland afore me...)
Is this the appropriate forum for you to lament your poor choice of friends?
I'll be sure to buy you a few rounds when I get to Scotland.
Thanks for the comment (anyway). Take care.
Regards,
Gasman
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Mar 08 '02
4:10 am PST
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There's no room... (Reply to this comment)
by proxam
..in a house in Scotland for an inefficient heater. I think I mentioned before that a good friend of mine works with gas appliances and reading your reviews is just like sitting in the pub listening to him.
At least he buys me a drink!....occasionally.
Best wishes
Andrew
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Mar 08 '02
1:25 am PST
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