Adding gas logs to existing fireplace

[dlminehart]

OK, so this isn't really a woodworking topic. It IS wood-related, though!

Anyone ever converted a standard fireplace to work with gas logs? My wife has a thing for fireplaces, but doesn't like the smell and ash cleanup involved with real wood. I realize that the gas logs are highly inefficient space heaters, but they're much cheaper than a full-fledged sealed insert, and we'd only use the thing for a few hours per week.

I have a gas line 'T' in the crawl space about 8 feet from my family room fireplace. Seems that it can't be too difficult to put the hole through the fireplace and pipe the gas in, but I'm sure there are complexities I've not considered.

Having paid a plumber and his assistant a total of $350/hour (!) to install the gas line recently, I'm not anxious to hand over more of my (borrowed) money to them if I can do the work myself.

[pfekete]

We were thinking of converting our fireplace because it smoked quite a bit. In the end, we decided not to because we finally found a chimney guy who really knew his stuff and figured out how to solve the smoking problem.

But, yes, you can convert a regular fireplace to use gas logs. Here in DC there are strict code requirements which include the obligation to weld the damper in the open position to assure that gases can always escape (although that'll also guarantee that your heating bill increases because your regular heat will also go up the chimney.) Also, you're required to have a shutoff valve close to the fireplace. In DC you're not allowed to have it inside the firebox--which makes it pretty unsightly--which is why we also decided not to go the gas log route. In some jurisdictions, the shutoff valve can be in the front corner of the firebox.

Hope this is helpful.

Paul

[BobSch]

IF you do go gas (and even if you don't, come to think of it) make sure you have a working CO detector. A family in the southern part of the state didn't, and three of the five people in the house who went to bed Christmas Eve never lived to see Christmas.

http://kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=73425

[Thalermade]

Our wood burning fireplace had a gas starter, so the conversion was very simple. What the previous posts said are very important

1. CO detector.

2. Gas shutoff in the room, outside of the firebox. Usually these are installed in the floor, to one side of the fireplace.

3. If permitted, go with vent free type of gas logs.


You will need to plumb the gas line to the "floor turn off valve". From there to the fireplace. Make sure the pipe that goes up to the fireplace also has a moisture trap. (use a tee instead of an elbow when turning up) and then add a short pipe to the bottom with a cap.

[dlminehart]

I just did some web reading. Seems that only the inefficient vented style gas logs are allowed in California. No unvented gas burning allowed. So, the heating is only about 10% efficient, the flame is very realistic (yellow due to deliberately poor combustion), and the gas cost is almost $1/hour. About half as much as my furnace!

Maybe I'll hold off for a while!

[Daryl]

I've been thru the recycling yards (juat a junk pile really) and have seen what appears to be cast iron inserts that went into old fireplaces to convert them to a gas heater type deal. While it wouldn't have the charm of logs, I think it would be more effecient, and if you could find one in good condition and refurbish it, maybe it wouod work out for you.

[meika123]

Some years ago, I installed ventless gas logs in my existing fireplace. I love these things. LOML really does, because she is somewhat cold-natured. We are something like Ron White described in his stand up routine. I like the temp from 70 to 75 degrees. My wife likes it from 80 to 110 degrees.

I have never seen any system heat like these things do. If I had additional fireplaces, they would each have gas logs.
JMO

Dave in NC