Gas Inserts & Log Sets
Ready to Relax & Get Cozy the Easy Way? Have a Gas Insert or Log Set Installed!
Do you feel like it’s nearly impossible to find time for yourself? Is R&R something you haven’t known personally in years? Or perhaps you dream of spending a few minutes by the fireplace at the end of a long day, but you know that building a fire requires more work (and more time) than it’s worth? Have you ever considered adding a gas insert or gas log set to your home?
Gas fueled appliances are easy to use, easy to start and stop, and easy to maintain. No extra time or effort is required — you just press a button or flip a switch and let the relaxation kick in. And with the improvements that have been made to both the functionality and design of gas appliances over the years, you won’t have to sacrifice looks or heat for convenience.
Gas Fireplace Insert or Gas Logs?
Gas fireplace inserts are fireboxes that can be installed inside of your existing masonry fireplace. They essentially replace the firebox of your fireplace and fit perfectly into the fireplace, giving you a brand new hearth without all the construction and cost of a rebuild. Typically, an insert is chosen if the homeowner likes the look of the fireplace, but wishes to boost efficiency or convert to gas.
Gas logs are also installed inside of existing masonry fireplaces, and can be used to convert a fireplace to gas. However, a gas log set will not produce as much heat or reduce heat loss through the chimney like an insert would, as inserts are closed-combustion systems.
B-Vent Or Direct Vent?
If you do choose a vented gas appliance, there are a couple of options to consider. Do you want a B-vent system or a direct vent system?
B-Vent
B-vent or natural vent systems are vented through the ceiling and use indoor air for combustion air and vent byproducts to the outside. This can be a problem in newer airtight homes, which may not have adequate combustion air inside of the home for a B-vent system to operate well. But when it comes to heat production, a B-vent appliance is typically a better source of heat than a vent-free appliance.
B-vent systems can also be installed in a variety of places, without the need for much clearance from combustibles, so if space is a concern, a B-vent appliance and venting system might be best for you. But be aware that a B-vent pipe cannot be used in a wall application, as it cannot vent horizontally.
Direct Vent
Direct vent systems can be installed inside of your existing chimney or run through a ceiling or wall, and rely on one vent to pull in combustion air from the outside and one vent to remove byproducts like carbon monoxide to the outside. They’re tightly sealed systems, so you don’t have to worry about losing heat to the outside or inadequate combustion air causing performance issues.
Vented Or Vent Free?
Gas inserts and log sets are available in vented and vent-free options. These options have some pretty important differences, so you’ll want to do a little research before you decide. Here are the basic differences:
Vent-free logs and inserts:
- Don’t vent through a chimney. Instead, they’re designed to be so efficient that a chimney is not needed to vent what little carbon monoxide is produced. It is, however, recommended that you install a carbon monoxide detector close by so that, if something were to go wrong, you would be able to address it quickly for the health and safety of your loved ones.
- Don’t run the risk of losing heat through the chimney. That means all the heat produced by the insert or gas log set goes directly into your home.
Vented gas logs and inserts:
- Do require a working chimney or venting system. There are different venting options, like B-vent and direct vent.
- Produce larger, more realistic and natural looking flames than vent-free appliances.
We Sell & Install the Very Best Gas Appliances and We Can Answer Any Questions You Have
No matter which way you’re leaning, the CSIA-certified chimney sweeps and NFI-certified gas specialists here at ChimneyTEK of Delaware can help with your decision and installation. We sell and install gas inserts and logs from leading brands like Regency, Napoleon, and Hampton, and we can make sure you end up with the perfect appliance for your home. To learn more or to schedule an appointment with one of our gas specialists, please call us 302-729-6112 or reach out to us here on our website.
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