How Gas Fireplaces Work

They have been around for many years.  If you don’t have one in your home, you have friends and family members who do.  Gas fireplaces are more popular than ever.  And, they’re not just for the family room anymore.  But how do they work?  Are they complicated to operate?  Do they use a lot of gas?

THE BURNER BASICS

Gas fireplaces operate on either natural gas (NG) or LP gas.  The two gases operate on slightly different pressure; NG 6” water column pressure, LPG twice that.  This means the burner regulator and orifice are different for the two gases.  Other than that, the basics are very similar.  Based on flame appearance, once a gas fireplace is warmed up, it’s nearly impossible to tell any difference between NG and LPG.  That is, unless you look out the window and see an LP tank in the side yard!

Normally, either a half inch or 3/8” gas supply line is connected to a burner.  Depending on the model, the burner will be a ceramic material or a tube style burner.  The burner includes the gas valve, fittings, and the control board.  When the thermostat calls for heat, or the wall switch is flipped on, or the remote control is pressed on, the valve opens allowing gas to flow into the burner.  The gas is ignited with a pilot light.  This pilot light can be an on-demand, intermittent light or a steady-on pilot light.  There are small holes designed in the burner to allow gas to flow through, allowing the embers to glow and the flames to dance.

On initial start-up, it is not unusual for condensation to develop on the inside of the glass.  Since, the inside of the glass is often rather cool, the heat from the burner igniting will cause some condensation.  This will quickly dissipate as the unit heats up.

Napoleon Elevation Gas fireplace in modern decor and red brick. How gas fireplaces work?

LOGS OR OTHER MEDIA?

Today, many gas fireplaces have “media” options.  Lots use realistic looking ceramic logs that glow when they’re heated.  But different log species, driftwood logs, colored glass beads, pine cones and bamboo will add an individualized custom touch to many fireplaces.

FIREBOX BASICS

The firebox, built out of steel, is cut and fabricated by sophisticated equipment to exact specifications.  Today, the size and dimensions of the firebox will vary tremendously.  There are traditional looking fireplaces that are three, four or five feet wide.  Linear styles for a contemporary look that might be 12” — 15” high, but five, six, or even eight feet long!  Portrait styles are popular in tighter, smaller spaces.

A space, or convective air chamber is designed into the fireplace to allow warmed air to move into the room.  Picture two metal walls with the air moving between them.  After the burner ignites, the inner steel starts to heat.  As air is circulated in this chamber, heat is transferred.  A small fan, located beneath the burner at the bottom of the fireplace, moves this warm air into the room.  Fans usually have several speeds or operate on a rheostat, a variable speed control.  A heat sensitive switch turns them on/off.

GLASS, SEALED COMBUSTION & CO-AXIAL VENTING.

The glass on many gas fireplaces is a ceramic material.  It’s similar to the glass on your electric range in the kitchen.  Ceramic glass can withstand very high temperatures, higher than tempered glass.  Depending on the BTU output and specs of the fireplace, it will have ceramic or tempered glass.  Regardless of the type of glass, it will be sealed to the edge of the firebox with a rope gasket.

Direct vented gas fireplaces use a sealed combustion process.  This means that the air for the combustion process comes from outside, via a special vent pipe.  Inside room air is not used for combustion purposes.  Only air from the outside is used for combustion in the firebox.

It sounds like an impressive term, but all co-axial venting means is a pipe within another pipe.  Your coax cable wire is a wire wrapped around another wire.  A standard co-axial vent pipe uses a four-inch inner pipe that removes all the by-products from combustion out of the fireplace.  The larger seven-inch outer pipe is the route the combustion air follows to the firebox.  Direct vented gas fireplaces can be vented horizontally out a sidewall or vertically through the roof.

Ambiance Intrigue 42 gas fireplace with modern stone surround. How gas fireplaces work?

INSTALL NEARLY ANYWHERE.

As long as a gas supply line can be installed and venting requirements followed, a gas fireplace can be installed anywhere in the house.  Bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, foyers, hallways and in-home offices are all great applications for a gas fireplace.

Heat only those areas of the house that you spend the majority of your time in.   By reducing the temperature on the thermostat and “zone heating” those rooms, you will actually save money on your heating bills.  Why run your furnace at 100,000 BTU when a couple of gas fireplaces will heat it by burning only 45,000 BTU’?

GAS USAGE.

The burner on most gas fireplaces is adjustable.  The more gas that’s burned, the more heat you’ll get from the fireplace.  To figure an approximate cost to run the fireplace, remember these key points:

  • Natural gas is measured in therms. One therm equals 100,000 BTU of heat.
  • LP gas is measured in gallons. One gallon equals 91,500 BTU of heat.
  • Burner size for example, is 30,000 BTU/hour.
  • For each hour of fireplace operation, figure a bit less than 1/3 of one therm of NG. And, about 1/3 of one gallon for LPG.
  • Apply your current fuel rate.
  • Adjust actual usage up or down, based on burner consumption.

Let’s take a quick example.  Using the numbers above, my NG fireplace operates for two hours.  My rate is $1.00/per therm.  For each hour of operation, figure about 27ȼ.  For LP, figure roughly 30ȼ/hour if I’m paying $1.00 per gallon.

MAINTENANCE.

Gas fireplaces don’t require much maintenance.  Making sure that dust and pet hair is kept out of the fan compartment is important.  Cleaning the inside of the glass once a year is always a good idea.  And a small light or audible chirp will remind you when the batteries for the remote and/or ignition system need replacing.

Many WE LOVE FIRE dealers offer an annual service program to ensure your fireplace is tuned-up, cleaned-up and ready to provide that warm and relaxing area for you and your family.

Bring us your ideas, pictures, or sketches.  Or call us for a tune-up.  We’re glad to assist in any way we can.

Incidentally, one more thing… The sealed glass on a gas unit must stay in place during operation.  No, you cannot roast marshmallows for s’mores on your gas fireplace.  Head to your freezer instead.  Go with chocolate brownie extreme ice cream instead!

Napoleon Luxuria Gas fireplace in dining room.  How gas fireplaces work?

Below is a list of fireplace and grill stores that service Ontario (ON)

Ajax, ON

Topfire Fireplace and Barbecue Inc.
487 Westney Rd. S
Ajax, ON L1S 6W8

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Aurora, ON

Topfire Fireplace and Barbecue Inc.
15483 Yonge St., Unit 1C
Aurora, ON L4G 1P3

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Belleville, ON

Friendly Fires
69, Dundas East
Belleville, ON K8N 1B9

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Burlington, ON

Barbecues Galore
3100 Harvester Road
Burlington, ON L7N 3W8

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Cambridge, ON

Bast Home Comfort Inc.
471 Hespeler Rd. 
Cambridge, ON N1R 6J2

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Carleton Place, ON

Friendly Fires
11384 Highway 7
Carleton Place, ON K7C 3P1

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Cobourg, ON

Friendly Fires
70 King Street East
Cobourg, ON K9A 1K9

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Collingwood, ON

Chantico Fireplace Gallery Inc
209784 Hwy 26
Blue Mountains, ON L9Y 0L8

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Concord, ON

The Fireplace Specialist
19-391 Edgeley Blvd.
Concord, ON L4K 4A7

Etobicoke, ON

Barbecues Galore
1470 The Queensway
Etobicoke, ON M8Z 1T5

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Goderich, ON

Huron Fireplaces
308 Huron Rd
Goderich, ON N7A 3A2

Hamilton, ON

Chadwicks & Hacks
682 Fennell Avenue East
Hamilton, ON L8V 1V4

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Huntsville, ON

The Fireplace King inc.
14 Howland Drive, Unit 1
Huntsville, ON P1H1M3

Kincardine, ON

Chantico Fireplace Gallery Inc
6 Ashfield-Huron
Kincardine, ON N2Z 2X3

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Kingston, ON

Friendly Fires
271 Dalton Ave.
Kingston, ON K7K 6Z1

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London, ON

Porky's BBQ & Leisure
1075 Sarnia Road
London, ON N6H 5J9

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Markham, ON

Kastle Fireplace LTD
8294 York Durham Line
Markham, ON L0H 1J0

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Meaford, ON

Chantico Fireplace Gallery Inc
158185 7th Line
Meaford, ON N4L 1W5

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Mississauga, ON

Ontario Hearth Fireplaces
3425 Laird Road Unit #2
Mississauga, ON L5L 5R8

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Niagara Falls, ON

The One Stop Fireplace Shop LTD
4332 Drummond Road
Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6C3

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North York, ON

The Fireplace Company
2854 Dufferin St.
North York, ON M6B 3S3

Oakville, ON

Barbecues Galore
490 Speers Road
Oakville, ON L6K 2G3

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Orangeville, ON

Its in the Shed
7 Little York Street
Orangeville, ON L9W 1L8

Ottawa, ON

Capital BBQ
12 Grenfell Crescent
Ottawa, ON K2G 0G2

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Pembroke, ON

Performance Woodburning & Gas
204 Boundary Road East
Pembroke, ON K8A 6W4

Penetanguishene, ON

Home & Cottage Centre
4 Centennial Drive
Penetanguishene, ON L9M 1G8

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Peterborough, ON

Friendly Fires
971 Highway 7
Peterborough, ON K9J 6X7

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Sarnia, ON

A Village Fireplace Shop Ltd.
623 Broadway St
Wyoming, ON N0N1T0

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Stratford, ON

Tri-County Brick
320 Home st.
Stratford, ON N5A 7C9

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Sudbury, ON

Nordic Energy Systems LTD
2324 Long Lake Road
Sudbury, ON P3E 5H4

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Thunder Bay, ON

Bob's Woodburners & Fireplaces
803 Memorial Avenue
Thunder Bay, ON P7E 3Z7

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Toronto, ON

Marsh's Stoves & Fireplaces
3322 Dundas Street W
Toronto, ON M6P 2A4

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Waterloo, ON

Bast Home Comfort Inc.
12-620 Davenport Road
Waterloo, ON N2V 2C2

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Windsor, ON

Scott's Fireplace Select, Inc.
2 North Talbot Road
Maidstone, ON N0R 1K0

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For more information, contact your local fireplace and grill store.

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