Can you add a blower to a gas fireplace?
You can add a blower to your gas fireplace as a way of increasing its overall level of efficiency. Although gas fireplaces are designed to produce additional heat in homes and other places where they are installed, they are hardly 100% efficient. Much of the heat that these devices produce is lost to the atmosphere.
Does a gas fireplace need a blower?
Yes, you can run a gas fireplace without a blower because a blower is not part of the components of a gas fireplace. A blower is a mere appendage that you can install on your gas or even wood fireplace to enhance the heating process. If you wish to add a blower to your gas fireplace, you may have to purchase it later.
Does my fireplace need a blower?
There is no need for a blower in a gas fireplace. If the gas fireplace is well-vented, it is possible to use a gas fireplace for hours without a blower. The external unit of the gas fireplace blower is the reason for this. The fireplace will work well without a blower, even though most gas fireplaces use one.
Do blowers really help a fireplace?
With a fireplace blower, you won’t have to rely on your home’s central heating to create a warm and comfortable living environment during the cold winter months. Some heat will still be lost out of the chimney, but the blower will create warm air that’s expelled into your home. As a result, it will help your fireplace produce more heat.
Do you need a blower with a gas fireplace?
Gas fireplaces do not need a blower. Gas fireplaces can be used for hours without a blower as long as the gas fireplace is well vented. This is because a gas fireplace blower is an external unit. It is not an in-built part of the gas fireplace, so the gas fireplace can function without the blower.
Where is the blower located on a gas fireplace?
In a gas or wood insert, the blower is most commonly placed below the insert.
How much does it cost to put a blower in a gas fireplace?
A professional fireplace service company charges about $400 to do the job (parts and labor). But you can replace the blower with a complete motor/fan blower assembly yourself in about an hour for less than $140. Many gas fireplaces use a blower to drive warm air out into the room.
Can you add a blower to an existing gas fireplace?
Yes, you can add a blower to a fireplace to improve its efficiency through the following mechanisms: Circulation of warm air. Forcing warm air out.
How do I know if my fireplace blower is working?
Several signs will tell you whether your fireplace blower is working or not. Here are a few to look out for: It's not turning on at all, even if you turn the thermostat all the way up. It is coming on but isn't blowing hot air back into the room, or it's blowing less air than it usually does.
Are fireplace blowers worth the money?
They are highly effective tools for better utilizing the warmth created by a fireplace and pushing warm air into the room's furthest reaches. Unlike a space heater, fireplace fans work on cycling the entire rooms air and increasing the ambient temperature by cycling the air around the hot firebox.
Do all fireplace inserts have blowers?
Inserts are available for burning wood (or wood pellets) or for burning gas. Gas inserts can be direct vent, natural vent or vent-free. Almost all inserts come with a blower, though for some, it is an optional addition.
Does a gas fireplace cost alot to run?
A standard 20,000 BTU gas fireplace will use about 20 cubic feet of natural gas per hour. Given that price of natural gas is about $1.09 per 100 cubic feet, running a standard-sized gas fireplace will cost about $0.22/hour at 100% heating output. In short: Gas fireplaces are quite inexpensive to run.
How long can you run a gas fireplace without the fan?
The Bottom Line Even if your gas fireplace is sealed and vented to release fumes into the outside, it's better to lean towards the safer side of things and only leave it running for two to three hours at a time.
How do I disperse the heat from my gas fireplace?
The blower fan can efficiently disperse the heat generated by the gas fireplace into the room. Simply put, the fan circulating cold room air around the hot fireplace before pushing it back into the room. The result is a steady cycle of warm air that heats your space!
How do you install a blower fan in a gas fireplace?
1:514:40Gas Fireplace Blower Fan Installation - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe first step for the new install is centering the blower at the back of the fireplace. LeaveMoreThe first step for the new install is centering the blower at the back of the fireplace. Leave roughly 1/8 to 3/8 of an inch gap between the blower and the back of the fireplace.
Is it cheaper to run furnace or gas fireplace?
A modern furnace is more efficient in turning gas into heat than a gas fireplace. This means that although a furnace costs more to run per hour than a gas fireplace, it turns more of that energy into heat and can warm a whole house rather than a single room.
Do all fireplace inserts have blowers?
Inserts are available for burning wood (or wood pellets) or for burning gas. Gas inserts can be direct vent, natural vent or vent-free. Almost all inserts come with a blower, though for some, it is an optional addition.
How does the blower on a fireplace work?
Fireplace blowers rely on convection heating to create warm air that's expelled into your home. With a fireplace blower installed, your fireplace will draw cool air into a series of tubes where it's heated. The heated air will then be blown back into your home.
How do you replace a fireplace blower?
0:371:18How To Install A Fireplace Blower - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSlide the blower assembly into the fireplace on the right hand side of the lower access position theMoreSlide the blower assembly into the fireplace on the right hand side of the lower access position the blower so that the magnets on the back of the blower are against the rear wall of the fireplace.
How do you remove the fan from a gas fireplace?
0:444:40Gas Fireplace Blower Fan Installation - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTo remove the old blower fans start with unplugging the power if the blower is hardwired. You'llMoreTo remove the old blower fans start with unplugging the power if the blower is hardwired. You'll have to shut off the power at a wall switch or appropriate for Aker remove.
Can You Use a Gas Fireplace Without a Blower?
Yes, you can use a gas fireplace without a blower. Gas fireplaces are usually installed with a blower so that the heat from the fireplace isn’t concentrated in one part of the room alone. Without the blower, the gas fireplace will still work fine for hours as long as the fireplace is vented.
How Much Does It Cost to Put in a Blower in a Gas Fireplace?
It costs between $300 and $500 to place a blower in a gas fireplace if the gas fireplace had been installed previously. On average, it would cost you $400 to put in a fireplace blower in a previously installed gas fireplace.
Do All Gas Fireplaces Have a Blower?
No, not all gas fireplaces have a blower. Fireplace blowers are more common with gas fireplaces than with wood-burning fireplaces, but not all gas fireplaces are designed with a fireplace blower.
What blower kit options are available?
Fireplace fan kits come in many forms and can often times include several different accessory options. Your owner's manual will typically recommend a specific blower kit option for your make and model fireplace. A blower kit will include everything you need for installation, with the exception of basic tools. Kits include the blower, power cord, mounting hardware (if required), wiring harness and required controllers. These controls can include thermostats, rheostats, remote controls and fireplace specific modules. Our aftermarket kits all come pre-assembled and pre-wired for easy installation, while the OEM kits we offer will vary in difficulty based on the manufacturer and type of kit.
What type of bearings are used in a fireplace blower?
Two for the motor (inside and outside) and a single outboard or wheel bearing used at the end of the assembly for the blower's wheel. The two most widely used bearing types used in blower assemblies are sleeve, sometimes referred to as bushings, and ball bearings. While there are pros and cons to each, we'll focus our discussion around their application with blowers vs a general discussion on the two bearing types.
What is a thermostat limit switch?
A thermostat limit switch, also referred to as a temperature sensor, is most commonly used in blower kit applications when there is no designated wall switch installed for the blower. When a fireplace is installed, manufacturers provide options as to how the fireplace is configured and wired. Some installations have a single wall switch, while others have two or even three. When no wall switch has been installed for the blower, a thermostat switch makes it possible to control the blower's on and off operation automatically. Thermostats can also be used in applications where a designated wall switch HAS been installed for the blower. In these installations, the wall switch is left in "ON" position so that power is always being supplied to the outlet. The thermostat in this case takes control of determining when the blower is turned "ON" and "OFF".
What is included in a blower kit?
A blower kit will include everything you need for installation, with the exception of basic tools. Kits include the blower, power cord, mounting hardware (if required), wiring harness and required controllers. These controls can include thermostats, rheostats, remote controls and fireplace specific modules.
Why do people buy fireplaces?
While everyone's reason for choosing a fireplace is different, many of us purchase fireplaces for their ability to be used as heating appliances. While it's true that gas fireplace efficiency has improved over the years, gas fireplaces still exhibit some degree of heat and energy loss.
Where is the blower on a gas fireplace?
On a gas fireplace, the blower is usually positioned against the rear wall facing upwards, although it's not uncommon to see blowers positioned on either side of the fireplace. The blower draws in cool room air and forces that air upwards along the back or side of the fireplace.
What is a fireplace?
A fireplace can make a beautiful addition to your home, whether you enjoy the romantic dance of flames or the warm feeling of a fire on a cold night, there are literally hundreds of models and variations to choose from.
How does a gas fireplace blower work?
It works more or less like a fan, by sucking in unheated air from within the room and blowing it out through the fireplace. The throw of the blower is generally limited to the capacity of the blower, but high capacity blowers will increase noise levels and may even cause uneven heating in a room. You must ensure that furniture around the fireplace does not limit the blower to heat only areas around the fireplace, as this may cause you to need additional heat if you're seated further away, thus increasing your heating bills.
Do you need electric points for blowers?
TIP: Electric points are a must for a blower, and care has to be taken to see that the wiring is done with materials that remain unaffected by heat. If you're not comfortable doing this yourself, hire a professional to handle it.
Does a gas fireplace blower help with convection heat?
There is a debate as to whether a gas fireplace blower adds to comfort levels. Most manufacturers claim that gas fireplace heaters produce both radiant heat as well as convection heat. Radiant heat is not helped by blowers, and blowers may not help to influence the air circulation beyond the immediate vicinity of the fireplace.
Does a gas fireplace blower make noise?
Noise levels can increase with a gas fireplace blower, but the better models have this reduced to almost a whisper. One of the comforts of a fireplace in the old days was the pleasant sound of the hiss and crackling of the wood, which made you feel even more protected, so a little noise should be more than acceptable to an average home dweller.
Can a gas fireplace be combined with a blower?
Blowers and fireplace grates can be combined, and a number of gas fireplaces have such models where the grate is made up of hollow pipes. Once the fireplace is lit, the air within the hollow pipes of the grate are also heated up. The blower is used to blow them into the room and circulate the heat.
What is a fireplace insert with blower?
Fireplace inserts with blower can dramatically improve the efficiency of the warm air circulating into the living space and will save energy. Fireplace inserts have a Firebox which is surrounded by a steel shell.
Do fireplace fans work in gas fireplaces?
Air from inside your home flows into the shell, is heated and then redistributed back into your living space. Fireplace blowers and fans will work in wood burning fireplaces, gas fireplaces and electric fireplaces. Both wood burning fireplace insert and gas fireplace insert have multiple types of ventilation structures.
What brand of fireplace inserts have blowers?
If the two listed above don’t seem like a possible pick, you might want to consider the Majestic brand of gas fireplace inserts with blowers. This manufacturer has a large collection of insert designs and sizes.
What is a CFM fireplace?
The CFM brand of gas fireplace inserts is one to consider when shopping for gas fireplace inserts with blowers. As with similar fireplace inserts with blowers, CFM fireplace inserts have a fan that circulates air over the firebox.
What is a gas fireplace insert?
An insert is a closed combustion system made to significantly improve a fireplace. So, a gas fireplace insert will be a fireproof box installed into a fireplace that burns gas as its main fuel.
What is special about a blower insert?
So, what’s special about a blower? An insert having a blower tends to circulate more heat than one without a blower. Such inserts are usually mounted or installed within the unit but outside of the firebox.
What is Northern Tool?
Northern Tool is a gas fireplace brand that has a decent market share in terms of its gas fireplace insert sales.
What is more important to your eventual selection?
More important to your eventual selection is the need to speak with a professional before settling for any.
Does Vermont Castings make fireplace inserts?
Vermont Castings isn’t only limited to the production of gas fireplace inserts. There are also wood-burning fireplace inserts as well.
What is a 51D0011 blower?
51D0011 blower kit assembly (#20302546K) for Vermont Castings and Lexington Forge fireplaces and stoves. Features a powerful and quiet 180 CFM ball bearing blower. This blower kit is assembled, tested and packaged in the United States and backed by...
What is a Uzy3 fan?
Our UZY3 fan kit is a dual blower setup designed for a select number of older Security fireplaces that used the now discontinued OEM UZY3 blower. Instead of a brass sleeve bearing, we use a 100% ball bearing blower and motor assembly, coupled with a full...
What is a GFK4A blower?
Our GFK4A blower kit is a thermostatically controlled gas fireplace fan kit designed to fit several models of Heatilator fireplaces. The "A" in GFK4A stands for "Automatic", which means the kit includes a thermostat sensor that provides hands free...
What stoves use the FK26 fan kit?
The FK26 (BK-VC) stove fan kit is designed for use with select Vermont Castings, DutchWest and Majestic gas and wood stoves. Fits the Stardance, Radiance, Encore, Defiant and Oxford series stoves, although other models may apply. So be sure to reference...
