What features to look for:
- Do the logs allow flexibility in terms of arrangement?
- When the fireplace is turned on, do the flames touch and wrap around the logs?
- If the answers to the above two questions are “Yes”, then you most likely have a vented setup
How do you identify a masonry fireplace?
These fireplaces are usually covered over the front with brick, tile, or stone for aesthetics. If you are still not sure the easiest way is to look up the flue and see if it is a round metal pipe going up. These will always have a damper to be opened or closed. Masonry fireplaces are constructed of brick, stone, or modular masonry units.
How do I know if my fireplace is gas or electric?
If you’re new to the house and suspect a gas fireplace, you should have the local gas company check out the gas connection and turn it on. Then have the system checked out by a chimney professional.
What kind of fireplace do I have?
Determining what fuel your fireplace needs in order to burn is the first step in figuring out the kind of fireplace you have. Wood fireplaces, inserts, and stoves are some of the most basic even today. This is because they don’t need a whole lot of tech to work. If your fireplace has an empty firebox, it is a wood-burning system.
How do I know if my fireplace is vented or vent-free?
If your fireplace has ceramic logs in the firebox, it burns gas! There should be valves, a gas connection, an ignitor, a control knob, and maybe even a remote control. It’s important to figure out quickly whether your gas fireplace is vented or vent-free. A vented gas log set will need a working chimney flue and damper.
Do I have a gas or wood fireplace?
If your fireplace has an empty firebox, it is a wood-burning system. Your wood-burning stove will have a door and a space to build your fire, but no ignitors or feeding devices like a pellet stove might have. Wood fires burn wood and vent directly up the flue.
What are the four types of fireplaces?
4 Types of FireplacesWood: Classic wood-burning fireplaces provide heat, cozy ambiance, and nostalgia. ... Gas: Gas fireplaces are inexpensive, energy-efficient alternatives to wood-burning fireplaces. ... Electric: Flameless electric fireplaces are a cost-effective option that you can plug into the wall.More items...•
How do I know if my fireplace is gas or electric?
A control knob or set of control knobs can be found somewhere on the fireplace, typically underneath the firebox, and may indicate a gas fireplace with gas and/or pilot light symbols. You can see an ignition system. There's a gas line within or near to the fireplace.
How do I know if my fireplace is gas or propane?
Look towards the bottom of the fireplace and remove the faceplate. Inside of there will either be a tag hanging on the gas valve or a sticker on the bottom of the appliance. That is where you will find the info about whether it is a natural gas fireplace or propane gas fireplace.
What are indoor fireplaces called?
An indoor enclosed wood-burning fireplace, also called a “zero clearance manufactured fireplace,” is a fully-enclosed metal firebox, like a wood stove, that is built directly into the wall of a house, like an open-hearth fireplace.
What are the different types of indoor fireplaces?
Three Types of Indoor Fireplaces: Pros and ConsWood-Burning Fireplaces. Wood-burning fireplaces are the long-established fireplaces many people picture with crackling logs and a steady, roaring fire. ... Gas Fireplace. ... Electric Fireplace.
Can a fireplace be both gas and wood-burning?
A fireplace cannot be both gas and wood-burning at the same time, as it can be a severe fire hazard. However, it is possible to convert one to the other with just a minor modification. A complete safety check is required to ensure that the conversion has followed all the safety regulations.
How do you tell if your fireplace is vented or ventless?
0:054:14Gas Logs: Vented or Vent-Free? How To Tell The Difference, and Decide ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd you'll see them pretty much anywhere and everywhere you go the easiest way to tell theMoreAnd you'll see them pretty much anywhere and everywhere you go the easiest way to tell the difference between a vintage set and a vent free set is the placement of the flames on the logs.
Does a gas fireplace need electricity?
In addition, all direct vent gas fireplaces are sealed, keeping emissions out, and are vented to the exterior of your home using the natural buoyancy of warm air (warm air rises), meaning no electricity is needed to operate your gas fireplace or gas fireplace insert safely.
What happens if you use propane on a natural gas fireplace?
Running propane through an orifice designed for natural gas and lower pressure will result in an overly large flame and soot. The flame will be bigger and may cause damage and even an explosion. This is because the orifice jet designed for natural gas is larger than the one for propane.
What are the different types of gas fireplaces?
There are three main types of gas fireplaces to consider, Direct Vent gas fireplaces, Vent-Free gas fireplaces and B-Vent gas fireplaces, that differ in their installation flexibility, features and efficiencies. Another option to consider is an open-hearth Wood-Burning fireplace combined with a vented gas log set.
Do propane fireplaces use a lot of propane?
As a general rule, a propane fireplace uses about one gallon of propane for each 100,000 BTU. So if you install a propane fireplace that is rated 50,000 BTU, you'll be using about one gallon of propane for every two hours that it's in use.
What type of fireplace is most popular?
wood-burning hearthA wood-burning hearth is the standard fireplace used worldwide, as it has been for centuries. It's what comes to mind when most people envision a beautiful fire in a living room. Types of wood-burning fireplace systems are: Site-Built Masonry.
What kind of fireplace does not need a chimney?
5 Types of Chimney-Free Fireplaces:Electric Fireplaces.Water Vapor Fireplaces.Ethanol Fireplaces.Ventless Gas Fireplaces.Gel Fireplaces.
What are the different types of gas fireplaces?
There are three main types of gas fireplaces to consider, Direct Vent gas fireplaces, Vent-Free gas fireplaces and B-Vent gas fireplaces, that differ in their installation flexibility, features and efficiencies. Another option to consider is an open-hearth Wood-Burning fireplace combined with a vented gas log set.
What are fireplaces called?
A fireplace or hearth is a structure made of brick, stone or metal designed to contain a fire.
How to find the model number of a fireplace?
If you're still unsure, another way is to identify the make, model, and serial number is by checking the appliance rating plate —which will typically also specify the type of fuel and the type of materials that can be burned in the fireplace. The rating plate can be used to look up the owner’s manual, if it is not readily available at your disposal.
How to tell if a fireplace has a vent free unit?
If your fireplace is an open hearth or has bifold doors that can easily open to the firebox, then you most likely have a vented, B-vent, or vent-free unit. If there's a fixed glass front that cannot swing or slide open without the use of tools, then it’s a good indication that you have a direct vent unit.
What is a prefabricated factory built fireplace?
A prefabricated factory-built fireplace certified for use with vent-free gas logs, or a vent-free firebox enclosure
How much heat does a real fyre gas fireplace burn?
This burner system can produce an impressive heat output anywhere from 30,000 to 110,000 BTUs.
How does a B vent fireplace work?
B-Vent fireplaces utilize a single wall pipe venting system to exhaust emissions vertically up through the roof.
What is a sealed glass front fireplace?
A sealed, non-operable glass front is a characteristic unique to direct vent fireplaces, such as the 42" Marquis II Direct Vent Gas Fireplace by Majestic Fireplaces.
Where is the sticker on a gas fireplace?
Wood burning and prefabricated fireplaces have a metal plate while gas fireplaces usually have stickers or tags either on the burner or on the insert itself.
What to do after you figure out what kind of fireplace you have?
After you figure out what kind of fireplace you have and what type of fuel it burns, you may decide to convert to something else. You may decide it’s best to take it out altogether or you may determine that it’s just perfect for your home and your family. The most important thing about owning a home with a fireplace is that safety is ...
What is an open fireplace?
Open fireplaces are the most commonly recognized fireplace. Depending on the age and style of the home, your fireplace opening may be large enough to walk into or maybe only big enough for a small fire. If you seem to have a normal fireplace, but it has doors that fit snuggly against the wall, you may have an insert—not an open hearth.
What is a wood burning stove?
If your fireplace has an empty firebox, it is a wood-burning system. Your wood-burning stove will have a door and a space to build your fire, but no ignitors or feed ing devices like a pellet stove might have. Wood fires burn wood and vent directly up the flue. They will have a damper, but may not have many extras like doors. Wood fireplaces and chimneys may have soot and creosote buildup in the interior portions of the system, especially if the house hasn’t been lived in for a while. The entire system should be cleaned by a professional before use.
Can a fireplace burn pellets?
Likewise, if your fireplace burns wood, it would not burn pellets efficiently, nor would wood in a pellet stove. Each appliance is designed specifically to burn a specific fuel type efficiently and safely. Determining what fuel your fireplace needs in order to burn is the first step in figuring out the kind of fireplace you have.
Does a fireplace burn gas?
If your fireplace has ceramic logs in the firebox, it burns gas! There should be valves, a gas connection, an ignitor, a control knob, and maybe even a remote control. It’s important to figure out quickly whether your gas fireplace is vented or vent-free. A vented gas log set will need a working chimney flue and damper.
Do you have to clean a pellet stove before using it?
If you have a pellet stove, it’s important to have it cleaned and checked out before use even if it’s new. The pellet insert or stove might be new, but if the flue wasn’t resized with the new appliance, it will not work safely and efficiently. Call a professional to have it checked out.
Can you burn wood in a pellet stove?
For instance, if you have a gas fire, you cannot and should not burn other things in the fireplace. Likewise, if your fireplace burn s wood, it would not burn pellets efficiently, nor would wood in a pellet stove.
How to tell if a fireplace is brick or stone?
You can also tell by looking up the chimney and seeing either clay flue tiles (terracotta) or bricks.
What is a fireplace made of?
They will be constructed of sheet metal, and usually 1-3 walls made of a ceramic material with a brick or stone pattern. Some units will have louvred faces for a blower to be used, but most do not. These fireplaces are usually covered over the front with brick, tile, or stone for aesthetics.
What is a B vent fireplace?
B-vent or Natural Vent Fireplaces. These are currently the most common gas appliance fireplaces found in homes today. They are decorative in nature and are NOT for heat. They are most frequently used by operating a wall switch or remote.
What type of fireplace is used for wood burning?
This is the most common type of fireplace currently found in most homes. These are factory-built fireplaces which use a double or triple wall chimney system . These fireplaces can be used with gas to help start wood fires or be converted to gas only by installing a gas log set, fire glass, or gas insert.
Why is it important to ask when buying gas logs?
It is an important question because not all accessories or appliances can be used on every fireplace. In fact, most of the above listed items are specifically built for each type of fireplace.
How big is a chimney vent?
The chimney always goes up through the roof and can be seen in the attic as a 4-8” diameter vent, and usually does not have a damper that needs to be opened and closed by the user. Their most notable feature is their typically less than desirable log set and burner setup.
How to contact Elegant Fireside and Chimney King?
Please feel free to contact us here at Elegant Fireside and Chimney King for help determining your fireplace needs. You can call us at 972-846-4878, email us a picture of your fireplace, or take a pic at home and bring it into our friendly staff in our showroom Mon-Sat 10-6.
What are the different types of fireplaces?
Here are the different types of fireplaces and chimneys: 1 Prefabricated or Factory-Built Fireplaces & Chimneys 2 Traditional or Masonry Fireplaces & Chimneys
How long do prefabricated fireplaces last?
Prefabricated fireplaces/factory-built fireplaces and chimneys are appliances and, as with all appliances, they do not last forever. Life expectancy for these types is approximately 10 -15 years, as long as there is no damage (due to a chimney fire, lightning strike, water penetration, or other occurrence). Still, over time, parts can wear out, warp, rust, and ultimately need to be replaced.
What is a masonry chimney?
Masonry fireplace s and chimneys are constructed on site from stone or brick and mortar, and are part of the home’s structural design. Typically, these fireplaces and chimneys are built as the house is built. As shown in the diagram, these systems have a firebox built of individual (generally yellowish) firebrick, a brick chimney above the roof, and if you look up past the damper, you will see an upside down funnel also built of brick. One of the biggest differences between a masonry and a factory-built fireplace /prefabricated fireplace and chimney is that a masonry fireplace and chimney system will typically last longer than a prefabricated fireplace. When properly designed, constructed, and maintained, masonry fireplaces and chimneys can withstand decades of heat and fire abuse. The bricks and mortar may begin to crumble over the span of many years, but as long as you have regular maintenance and a professional water-repellent coating applied to your masonry system, your system will add warmth, enjoyment, and value to your home well into the future.
What is a prefabricated chimney?
Prefabricated fireplaces and chimneys are designed in the factory as a cohesive unit. These systems and their parts are extensively tested for safety and efficiency. They are regulated and must be built and installed per the manufacturer’s instructions. Manufacturers plainly list which chimney systems are safe to use with each specific fireplace, and if you do not heed their recommendation, you are putting your family at high risk for a fire. Think of it like a car. You would not mix and match different manufacturer’s parts. As shown in the diagram, these systems have a metal firebox with precast refractory panels. If you look up past the damper, you will see a round metal chimney, which extends through the roof and is sometimes surrounded by a housing composed of simulated brick or siding. Above that there may be a metal “shoe box lid” covering the chimney top — this is known as a chase cover — and a round or square chimney cap above that.
What is a fireplace insert?
Fireplace Inserts are a self-contained system designed to burn more efficiently than traditional open hearth fireplaces. These inserts are fueled by a variety of fuel sources such as wood, gas, or pellets, and are installed professionally into the existing fireplace firebox opening.
Can you retrofit a wood burning fireplace with gas logs?
Gas Log Fireplaces are a convenient way of converting your existing wood-burning fireplace and retrofitting with gas logs. Many homeowners do this because they are tired of buying and hauling wood. The gas logs are installed into the firebox and resemble the look of a wood-burning fire, but with the ease of a gas appliance.
Do direct vent fireplaces work?
Direct-Vent Fireplaces have become popular in newer homes. They have a simple and elegant look and do not use air from inside the home in the combustion process. Instead, they bring cold air in through the chimney and remove the byproducts of combustion in the same manner. Direct-vent gas fireplaces will continue to work even when the power is off. They are often behind a sealed glass door, which can be removed for maintenance and cleaning.
Prefabricated vs. Masonry Fireplaces: How to Tell the Difference
Fireplaces come in two general types: masonry fireplaces and factory-built (or prefab). Figuring out which you have will only take a moment of detective work on your part. So, grab a flashlight, and let’s get started.
Masonry Fireplaces – What You Need to Know
Masonry fireplaces, built of brick, block, or stone and mortar, are massive structures, often weighing between six and seven tons. They are aesthetically pleasing, long-lasting, and they add real value to your home.
Prefab Fireplaces – What You Need to Know
Factory-built or prefabricated (prefab) fireplaces are relative newcomers to the fireplace scene. Unlike traditional masonry fireplaces, most factory-built fireplaces are metal and come from the factory as complete units – with a firebox, a specific chimney system, and all necessary parts.
Fireplaces, Inserts & Stoves: Which Do I Have?
Alright, onto fireplaces, stoves, and inserts. How do you know which you have? Let’s talk about the differences…
What is a fireplace?
Fireplaces have been the focal point of most households throughout human history, providing light, heat, hot food, and a central place to rest or entertain guests. In recent years, the options for homeowners have expanded dramatically to include a wide array of fuel-types, structures, visual effects, and other options.
What is the mantle of a fireplace made of?
The mantle may be made of brick, stone, adobe, concrete, wood, or other materials . Wood burning fireplaces are best used to burn seasoned (aged) hardwood, which burns longer, hotter, and causes less tar buildup in the flue than softwood.
How often should a wood burning stove be inspected?
Like open hearth fireplaces, all wood-burning stoves must be inspected and cleaned regularly, and the catalyst (if any) must be replaced every few years, for safety. Catalytic wood stoves are more difficult to maintain than the simpler non-catalytic stoves.
What is a wood burning stove?
A wood-burning stove is a free-standing, solid steel or cast-iron box, with a metal stove pipe to vent the smoke. They are much more efficient than open-hearth fireplaces and are regulated and labeled for efficiency by the Environmental Protection Agency.
What is an open hearth fireplace?
An indoor open wood-burning fireplace, or “open hearth” fireplace, is the classic image of a fireplace throughout history.
Why are gas fireplaces so popular?
Although less natural and aesthetically pleasing than a wood-burning fireplace, gas fireplaces are increasingly popular, particularly in new construction, due to their efficiency, safety, and lower installation costs.
How much does it cost to install a zero clearance fireplace?
They typically range from $1,000-$5,000, before installation. Their operation costs depend on the type of fuel used They should be serviced yearly.