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Considering Gas Inserts

If you’re going to retrofit a wood fireplace with a gas insert, then you have to do your research.  Don’t rely on brochures and advice from neighbors.  Get ready to go to the stores and really investigate what installing gas inserts is all about.  Here are a few things to consider:

You have two basic choices of gas inserts, conventionally vented and direct vented.  The conventionally vented insert often gives you less problems with performance.  Almost all have a four inch flex vent that extends from the unit to the chimney top.  This resizes the chimney — with a gas insert you don’t need all the room anymore, because you’ll have fewer combustion products, as opposed to a regular fire, in which a chimney must cope with smoke and heat and air dilution, and so on.

Direct vented inserts use two or three inch flex vents.  One of these vents is for the exhaust, and the other is to bring in combustion air.  If you’re in a tightly sealed home, you may want this type, because you’ll be concerned about the available combustible air that the fireplace receives.

Inspect carefully the make and brand, and even the construction, of your insert.  Because, contrary to popular opinion, an insert is not always just an insert, and occasionally items are not on the insert you might expect.  So be sure to take a close look.  Ask about the manufacturer of the insert.  Consider the smaller manufacturer as well, because many of them can make quality products at fairly low prices, comparatively.

Try not to buy on the basis of a brochure.  As often as possible, you want to take a look at these inserts personally.  Some places have burning displays.  Think of the advantages of seeing the insert in use before you make your choice!  But be sure to ask questions about how the burn display is set up, to be sure that the unit will operate the similarly in your home.  If you like the answers, if you like the construction quality of the insert, if the price is reasonable, then you definitely want to buy it.

If you want to dress up the insert with some gold trim or a gold door, etcetera, then be sure to ask if the inserts are shown with accessories or if they’re added costs.  Check out the base unit price.  Personally, I don’t care for the brass louvres or trim because they can tarnish quickly.  I’d prefer the real 24K gold plated doors, which can retain their shine for years, and it’s not as costly as you might imagine.

There’s more to say, I’m sure, but here’s hoping these few points have given you something to consider when retrofitting your fireplace!

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