how to make gas fireplace more efficient

This week, Ernie talked about re-building his dual-sided fireplace and adding a damper and tempered-glass doors in the process. Five Lessons for Heating Your Home with Wood, Flue & Chimney Liners: Important for Household Safety, Get a Chimney Inspection Before Selling your House, Get a Chimney Sweep and Chimney Inspection Before Colder Weather Arrives, Get A Fireplace To Enhance The Interior Of Your home, Getting Fireplace Ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas, Guide for Building a Fire in your Fireplace or Wood Stove. Regrettably, they are also a giant hole in the house. The only off-the-shelf improvement you can make to most fireplaces is a circulating blower kit, and a large number of those kits are so ineffective that they are not worth the investment. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Some have open flames and send emissions through metal B-vents; others have fixed glass panels with more efficient direct venting. Most fireplaces convert only 15% of wood’s energy into useful heat, but inserts can increase the efficiency of a fireplace by a factor of five. If you decide to know that some countries organize these fireplaces in different ways, you should know what laws are in place in your area before you buy. Do You Need a New Chimney? Chimney Dampers and How they Can Save You Money, Chimney Evolution – Elimination of Smoky Fireplaces, Chimney Inspections Are Similar to Medical Check-ups, Chimney Restoration: Time to Reevaluate Your Heat Source, Common Causes of Fireplace-Related Home Fires, Common Off-Season Chimney Repairs Made by Homeowners, Creosote & Chimney Fires: What You Must Know, Creosote in Your Chimney: Types, Causes, and Remedies, Crumbly Chimney Masonry and How to Prevent Spalling, Custom Fireplace Designs for Your Interior Fireplace. When it comes to energy-efficiency, you may find a wide range depending on size and model. Direct-vent fireplaces comprise the majority of gas fireplace sales. Gas fireplaces and fireplace inserts allow less air to be lost outside of the house and are made to operate more simply and cleanly than wood fireplaces. Hydronic electric baseboard heater vs standard. Gas fireplaces come in three types: inserts, for folks who want to retrofit a wood-burning firebox with something more convenient and efficient; built-ins, for those who want a fireplace where there isn't one now; and log sets, basic burners that sit in existing, open fireplaces. Do not switch to a ventless gas fireplace. Water From My Chimney Is Leaking into My Home, Hire a Professional for a Fireplace/Stove Install. In addition to saving us some precious time, gas fireplace inserts are also more efficient in comparison with some models reaching an efficiency rating of 99%. Fireplaces are a beautiful and fairly inexpensive way to heat a home. All good points, David. Is it Easy to Convert a Wood-burning Fireplace to Gas? One thing you can do is have it professionally serviced. Gas fireplaces and inserts make attractive upgrades to any home. It’s Possible! Even worse, a neglected chimney is a safety hazard. Direct Vent Gas Fireplace Inserts. Fuel Efficiency Rating Most fireplaces have a fuel efficiency rating. What Gas & Wood Burning Chimneys Have in Common. The more heat that goes into making a room warmer, the more efficient a fire is. Natural gas seeps were first discovered in China as early as 900 B.C. Because energy costs are a major factor for many industrial processes, it makes sense to carefully analyze how the natural gas is being used and whether the system is running at peak efficiency. Bailes. Hi words where born out after only one season, when a huge stack of split logs vanished quickly and we needed to get more to see us through the winter. While the ease of installation and use is one of the most significant advantages, they bring to the table the reasonably low price is another factor that you need to consider. Maybe just have a towel or cloth under it while you iron it. Green or wet wood can cause too much smoke, odor and creosote build-up which can cause many problems with safety and efficiency. To create this article, 16 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. 7 Benefits of Heating with a Fireplace or Wood Stove, Ten Benefits of a Zero Clearance Fireplace, Why and How to Reduce Creosote in your Chimney Lining, Reasons Annual Chimney Inspections Should be a Priority, Fabulous Fireplaces- Celebrities, Movies, & the Titanic, Build a Fire that Has Your Favorite Characteristics, Child Chimney Sweeps: Dark Chapter in Sweep History, Understanding CSIA Certification & NCSG Membership, Why it’s Important to Choose Local Firewood, U.S. Household Fires Provide Lessons In Safety, How To Have a More Eco-Friendly FirePlace, National Fire Prevention Week is Oct 6 – 12, Don’t Cut Out Chimney Maintenance to Save Money, 8 Clues that Your Chimney May Need Repairs, 5 Benefits of Switching to a Fireplace Insert, Differences Between Masonry & Factory-Built Fireplaces, Burning Wood Is an Eco-Friendly Way to Heat your Home, Spring Cleaning Should Include the Chimney & Fireplace, 10 Things to Know Before Hiring a Chimney Sweep. Gas Log Fireplace Safety. Pictured: Regency HRI6E gas fireplace insert Trend 5: Heat You Can Turn Down (and up) Pellets, developed in 1970s to use waste wood from manufacturing processes, are a highly efficient way to burn wood and can be purchased in 40-pound bags. Wood-burning fireplaces provide great ambience, but they can't beat the easy, no-fuss efficiency of gas. Very energy efficient: electric fires are 100% efficient, meaning all the heat is emitted into your room as none is lost in a chimney or flue. Often a certified technician will find things that are causing lowered efficiency and can get them repaired quickly. 8 Reasons to Choose Gas. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Energy-Efficiency. The amount of energy a gas fireplace consumes in one hour is known as its input rating. There are two main configurations of gas logs: Vented and ventless. Fortunately, you can make your fireplace much more efficient by following these seven simple steps. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Similar to shown: Adorn 21½-inch B-vent, 7,320-Btu output, $1,900; Victorian Fireplace Shop. Chimney Brick Spalling: What it Is & What to Do About It. Some homeowners prefer to take advantage of the efficiency of a wood stove by placing the stove on the fireplace hearth and running the stovepipe into the fireplace chimney. Close it in the summer and reopen it in the winter when you're ready to use the fireplace. Gas fireplaces and inserts make attractive upgrades to any home. At the high end you can place a fireplace insert inside your firebox or replace your fireplace with a zero clearance, pre-fabricated metal fireplace. reply; Allison Bailes. By David Gustadson Generally speaking, gas fireplaces are listed and tested to an ANSI standard and cannot be modified, even if that modification might mean better efficiency. The damper also helps keep the outside air from entering the house and vice versa. If you want to block the escape route even more effectively, you can buy an inflatable insert, called a chimney balloon or fireplace plug, for somewhere between $50 and $65. Direct-vent gas fireplaces are recommended for their efficiency; 70 percent of the heat they generate remains in the house. More flexible: you can place electric fires anywhere they can be plugged in, and you can still use them within fireplaces or set in chimney breasts. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. The second type – a heat producing type – is a gas insert or gas fireplace. Higher efficiency = blue fire. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. The Difference Between Wood Fireplaces and Wood Stoves? The most common form of a damper in a fireplace is known as a throat damper. If you want to generate heat in your wood-burning fireplace, you are going to need to make some changes. Higher efficiency fireplaces save more energy. What Technicians Look for During a Chimney Inspection, What to Do if your Chimney Liner is Damaged. What is Causing my Chimney Discoloration? By making four simple home improvements, this problem can be eliminated. Here are a few tips to make sure you're maximizing your fireplace and chimney efficiency this winter: Keep the fireplace damper closed unless you have a fire burning. What Does a Chimney Sweep Service Provide? At the high end you can place a fireplace insert inside your firebox or replace your fireplace with a zero clearance, pre-fabricated metal fireplace. Why Is Firebox Cleaning an Important Part of Chimney Service? How to Improve Old Log Wood Burners Increase Efficiency Clean Burn Gasification Secondary Combustion: How My old log burner / Boiler has been Improved beyond all expectations to match the efficiency of modern stoves! Inset, glass-fronted models tend to be the most efficient as they’re more enclosed. This article has been viewed 92,150 times. Advancements in gas stove technology have paved the way to a more efficient, instant and controllable heat source, available at the push of a button or even remote control. DO NOT plug incoming combustion air. 3 The last way you can make your fireplace more efficient is by only burning quality, well-seasoned firewood. A highly efficient gas fireplace insert can lower your heating bill. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. They create a wonderfully cozy atmosphere and a dry heat that is a necessity in the winter months. To make your fireplace truly efficient, you’ll want to install an insert approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It's possible to build a high efficiency fireplace using cast clay for the firebox and sheet metal for the stovepipe. Another way to make more efficiency in the heating is by creating a nice passage of air where the heat can disperse easily, try not to block the passage of air by making obstructions with objects near to the baseboard heater. When it gets cold, many people wonder if it is more fuel efficient to turn on their gas furnace or huddle around a gas fireplace. This standard evaluates all fireplaces including gas log sets. Inflatable blockers known as “chimney balloons” can be purchased to fit above the damper and form a very secure air seal during longer periods when the fireplace isn’t in use. Is Your Money Going Up the Chimney? According to the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association, installing a gas fireplace in the area of your home where you spend the most time could lower your home heating bills by as much as 40 percent. 1155 McFarland 400 Drive, Alpharetta GA 30004, Chimney Solutions Main Office - 1155 McFarland 400 Drive, Alpharetta GA, 30004 / Tampa FL Web Design, “Rumfordizing” Fireplaces in Older & Newer Homes, 3 Compelling Reasons Annual Chimney Inspections are Worth the Cost, 3 Problems Common to even the Best Wood Stoves, 4 Common (and Uncommon) Problems a Chimney Sweep Can Resolve, 4 Reasons Why Fireplace Inserts Make Sense, 4 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Fireplace in Winter, 5 Steps to Preventing Chimney Leaks during Spring Rainy Season, 6 Ways to Keep a Safe and Clean Fireplace Between Professional Cleanings, 7 Essential Tips for Safe and Efficient Wood-Burning Stoves and Fireplaces, 7 Reasons to Get Your Chimney Cleaned in Spring or Summer, 7 Reasons to have a Chimney Cleaning & Inspection even after those Mild Winters, 7 Tips for Off-Season Fireplace & Chimney Maintenance, After Labor Day is the Perfect Time for an Inspection, Basic Chimney Chores Homeowners Shouldn’t Forget, Before Getting a Chimney Liner, Ask These 7 Questions, Benefits of Having a Clean Fireplace & Chimney, Block Cool Air from Entering Through Your Chimney This Fall & Winter. Women Chimney Sweeps Fine with the Dirty Work, Wood-Burning Fireplace versus Wood-Burning Stove, You Shouldn’t Use a Regular Vacuum to Clean A Fireplace, Flashing: A Leading Cause of Chimney Leaks. Direct-vent gas fireplaces: Use two-way vents that supply outside air for combustion. Is Your Chimney Adding to Your Heating Costs? Energy-Efficiency. So now that you know how to make a fireplace more efficient, let's take a look at exactly why Wall of Fire grates are the pinnacle of fireplace efficiency: What is a Wall of Fire grate? Gas fireplaces and fireplace inserts allow less air to be lost outside of the house and are made to operate more simply and cleanly than wood fireplaces. Most Efficient Fireplace Types: Gas vs. Wood-Burning Fireplace. posted by holgate at 7:20 PM on January 6, 2014 . % of people told us that this article helped them. Learn more... Energy costs are soaring! How much Power You Need. The most efficient but expensive fix is to install an insert into your fireplace essentially turning it into a miniature wood stove. By doing so, they lose the pleasures of an open fire but gain energy efficiency. While homeowners are frantically looking for ways to save money, most don't realize that their dollars are readily escaping through one of the biggest holes in their home - their fireplace. In fact, when we picked this fire up, the man who sold it to us second hand said he has had to upgrade to a new more fuel efficient and smokeless log burner and added he worked in the UK Environment Department. Chimney Cracks – Should You Be Concerned? posted by GeeEmm at 5:00 PM on January 6, 2014 A built-in fan distributes heat into the … Has the Icy Winter Damaged your Atlanta Chimney? An extremely simple step that can be taken to make your fireplace more efficient is to simply find the nearest window to the fireplace and to open it just a little bit. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Have Winter Conditions Affected Your Chimney? What are the benefits of a wood stove versus a traditional fireplace? In terms of efficiency the conversion of energy in the form of heat from electricity energy hasn’t changed. These features can be added to your fireplace to improve its operating efficiency. While gas fireplaces are safer and more efficient than wood fires, it’s important to not lose sight of these two factors if you do decide to purchase a gas log set. Before we get into how to make your fireplace more efficient though, let’s take a look at the most efficient fireplace types and do a little comparing. The combustion products (water and CO2) not to mention the combustion byproducts (nasty stuff) end up in your living space. Compared to woodstoves, fireplaces are extremely inefficient: Fireplaces frequently only have 10 percent efficiency, versus 60 percent or more efficiency from a wood stove. It’s hard to beat a crackling fire blazing in a wood fireplace on a winter evening. Wood-burning appliances are much better for the environment, not to mention that they are more enjoyable than central heating units. But if the heat produced by the fireplace is the whole point, converting with a gas insert is a good way to keep money from going up the chimney and make your fireplace more efficient. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f6\/Make-a-Fireplace-More-Energy-Efficient-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-Fireplace-More-Energy-Efficient-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f6\/Make-a-Fireplace-More-Energy-Efficient-Step-1.jpg\/aid40388-v4-728px-Make-a-Fireplace-More-Energy-Efficient-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"