Installing Gas Logs in Your Fireplace

Nothing beats a cozy fire on a cold winter’s night. A roaring fire not only provides warmth but it adds style and ambiance to your home and serves as a focal point for friends and family to gather or for a romantic evening.

People have gathered around the fire for centuries, and during that time, there’s been debate about which fuel source makes the best fire. And while there’s no correct answer for everyone, today, homeowners have options beyond wood worth considering.

Gas fireplaces continue growing in popularity, so if you’re considering supplementing your home heating by adding a fireplace, here are a few reasons to consider a gas log design.

Benefits of a Gas Log Fireplace vs. Wood

When people envision a fireplace, they naturally think of wood because it’s been the traditional fuel source for as long as anyone can remember.

The smell of burning wood and the authentic cracks and pops gives many people a sense of nostalgia you can’t get with gas.

And, believe it or not, some people enjoy the challenge of making a fire and keeping it going all night long.

However, wood has many drawbacks.

For starters, wood produces more combustion byproducts than other fuel sources, which means you spend a lot of time cleaning the fireplace and chimney to remove things like creosote buildup. If you don’t remove creosote regularly, you risk a chimney fire.

Also, wood isn’t an efficient fuel source because you lose a significant amount of heat up the chimney.

Lastly, if you’re a novice fireplace owner, it’s easy to become frustrated trying to start and maintain a fire using wood because of its learning curve.

Enter the gas fireplace.

The most significant benefit of using gas is its ease of use. You don’t have to worry about maintaining a supply of seasoned wood, and there’s no learning curve to getting your fire started –– simply flip a switch, and you’re in business.

Another advantage gas has over wood is that it’s more cost-effective. Once you install the gas line, you don’t have to worry about securing wood every season.

Unlike wood, the fire from your gas fireplace won’t become weaker as the day wears on, requiring you to add more fuel. And you don’t have to worry about embers or sparks causing a fire when you use gas.

Today’s gas log fireplaces give you complete control over the heat and will burn as hot as you want for as long as you want. You can control some models from the comfort of your sofa with a remote.

Lastly, gas log fireplaces don’t produce nearly as much creosote as wood fireplaces, which means your chimney stays cleaner longer.

So, what it boils down to is convenience versus authenticity. For many homeowners, gas, while more convenient, can’t match the feeling you get from a natural, crackling fire with its red and orange flames. There’s something ancient and mystical about that experience that you can’t get with gas.

On the other hand, other people enjoy the simplicity, control, and ease of use that comes with gas.

If you’re on the fence about which system is right for you, call the experts at Fire N’ Stone for a consultation.

Gas Fireplace Maintenance

Indeed, gas log fireplaces don’t require as much cleaning or maintenance as their wood-burning counterparts, but they’re not set it and forget it appliances either.

You must have a certified chimney and fireplace specialist check and clean your system every year, like your wood-burning fireplace.

Gas fireplaces use a pilot light for ignition, but how this works depends on the model you have. Some gas log fireplaces use a standing pilot light, which means the light stays on all the time.

Other units use an electronic ignition system to light the burner directly. Whatever system you have, you must have it inspected to ensure it’s in good working condition.

Also, most gas log fireplaces manufactured in the last few decades use an oxygen depletion sensor to ensure the system operates safely. This sensor requires routine cleaning to prevent it from becoming overly sensitive, causing the fireplace to shut down randomly.

Lastly, direct vent gas fireplaces with fixed glass panels require routine cleaning to remove soot and other residues resulting from the gas byproducts.

While you can do some maintenance tasks yourself, cleaning and inspecting the pilot light, sensor, and burners are best left to a trained professional to ensure everyone’s safety.

Fire N’ Stone, LLC is a family-owned and operated full-service stove shop, custom stone, and chimney service company located in central New Hampshire. We proudly serve homeowners throughout Laconia, Franklin, and Gilford.

Our technicians are fully licensed, insured, and certified. Whether you need chimney sweeping, chimney repair, gas log fireplace installation, or custom stone installation, you can count on us.

Visit our showroom at 539 Laconia Rd. Tilton, NH, or contact us at 603-293-4040 or through our online contact form.