In 2017, we received several questions on several topics related to fireplaces. We thought that our answers might benefit other fireplaces owners as well. Therefore, for the beginning of this year, we’re sharing advice inspired by questions about conversion, wood-burning fireplaces, and carbon monoxide.
Q – If I install a zero-clearance wood fireplace, could I Install gas logs set in it later on and no longer burn wood ?
A -Some wood fireplaces have a gas knockout plate. It means that they can be ‘converted’ to gas, with a gas logs set. When buying your wood fireplace, make sure that this option is available and listed in the owner’s manual. If not, then that fireplace cannot be converted. As a rule of thumb, EPA High Efficient Wood Fireplaces do not have that option, while ‘Decorative Wood Fireplaces’ will for the most part have the gas knockout built-in. When contacting your local dealer, make it known to them that the possibility of converting to gas logs in the future is important to you. The dealer will then guide you toward the proper wood fireplace.
Q- We own an electric oil radiator. We also have a wood burner (not a stove). One day, our carbon monoxide detector alarm started when nothing was burning. We, therefore, opened the windows. It was the first time anything like that had ever happened.
We feel well. Our wood burner had worked all day long, but our windows were opened too. We closed them around 10 pm. We then let our wood burner works at low temperature. Around 2 am, the wood had been all consumed and the fire was out. Nothing else happened in our living room where are located our electric radiator, wood burner, and detector. Do you have any ideas why our carbon monoxide detector alarm would have started on its own?
A– The description of your problem would lead us to have a site visit. Your problem could be related to your chimney needing a good cleaning or maybe repair. It could also be that your home is very airtight, and we would need to supply fresh air to your fireplace. It could also be the environment around your house, like wind and nearby trees that would obstruct the air flow of your chimney. Many different factors to look into. We strongly recommend using our ‘store finder’ feature and locate the closest one to your home. Have them come in and look at your setup and they will advise you as what is best to do. This is important, your safety and the one of your family depends on this.
I have a wood burning fireplace that I am not using. It was in my house when I purchased it. I have an electric heater that I would like to place inside of the fireplace instead. Should have any concerns about carbon monoxide poisoning ?
Electric fireplaces represent absolutely no risk with Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. You are safe that way. Simply make sure the electric fireplace is securely installed inside the fireplace and the electrical connection is made up to code. Then, you will be 100% sure your home is safe.
Auburn, ALTop Hat Chimney Sweeps 1280 Financial Ct. Auburn, AL 36830 |  | Visit Store Page |
Elk Grove, CACustom Fireside Shops 9097 Elk Grove Blvd. Elk Grove, CA 95624 |  | Visit Store Page |
Sacramento, CACustom Fireside Shops 5455 Auburn Blvd. Sacramento, CA 95841 |  | Visit Store Page |
Durango, CODurango Outdoor Living 140 Rock Point Drive Durango, CO 81301 |  | Visit Store Page |
Durango, COFour Corner Stoves & Spas 3001 Main Avenue Durango, CO 81301 |  | Visit Store Page |
Grand Junction, COStove Depot and Chimney Works 330 North Ave. Grand Junction, CO 81501 |  | Visit Store Page |
New London, CTFamily Hearth and Patio LLC 571 Broad Street New London, CT 06320 |  | Visit Store Page |
Ridgefield, CTYankee Doodle, Inc. 71 Ethan Allen Highway Ridgefield, CT 06877 |  | Visit Store Page |
Dover, DEByler's Stove Shoppe Inc. 1368b Rose Valley School Rd. Dover, DE 19904 |  | Visit Store Page |
Destin, FLDoodlebuggers Service Network 36054 Emerald Coast Parkway Destin, FL 32541 | | |
Bettendorf, IAFireplaces Plus, Inc. 1745 State Street Bettendorf, IA 52722 |  | Visit Store Page |
Post Falls, IDQuality Stoves & Home Furnishings 569 N Syringa St Post Falls, ID 83854 | | |
Rockford, ILAdvanced Chimney Systems, Inc. 3486 Lonergan Drive Rockford, IL 61109 |  | Visit Store Page |
Wauconda, ILGrass Roots Energy, Inc. 28751 N Route 12 Wauconda, IL 60084 |  | Visit Store Page |
Evansville, INFiremaster, Inc. 5300 E Morgan Avenue Evansville, IN 47715 | | |
Jeffersonville, INOlde Towne Chimney & Fireplace Sales 915 Nachand Ln Jeffersonville, IN 47130 |  | Visit Store Page |
Overland Park, KSKansas City Fireplace Center 10470 Metcalf Avenue Overland Park, KS 66212 |  | Visit Store Page |
Erlanger, KYTateBuilder's Supply, LLC 3511 Dixie Highway Erlanger, KY 41018 |  | Visit Store Page |
Littleton, MAWoodstove, Fireplace and Patio Shop, Inc. 60 White Street Littleton, MA 01460 |  | Visit Store Page |
Seekonk, MAThe Fireplace Showcase 775 Fall River Ave Seekonk, MA 02771 |  | Visit Store Page |
Sudbury, MAWoodstove, Fireplace and Patio Shop, Inc. 348 Boston Post Road Sudbury, MA 01776 |  | Visit Store Page |
Duluth, MNDuluth Stove & Fireplace 2431 W Superior Street Duluth, MN 55806 |  | Visit Store Page |
Minneapolis, MNWoodland Stoves & Fireplaces 2901 Franklin Ave. South Minneapolis, MN 55406 | | |
Oakdale, MNEnergy Savers of Minnesota 6298 Highway 36 Blvd N Oakdale, MN 55128 |  | Visit Store Page |
Rochester, MNBrekke Fireplace Shoppe 1904 S. Broadway Rochester, MN 55904 |  | Visit Store Page |
Walker, MNWilkening Fireplace Company 9608 State 371 NW Walker, MN 56484 |  | Visit Store Page |
Fargo, NDHome Heating, Plumbing & A/C Inc. 701 28th Street South Fargo, ND 58103 | | |
Omaha, NEFireplace By Design 13913 R Plaza Omaha, NE 68137 | | |
Epping, NHThe Stove Shoppe 285, Calef Highway Rte. 125 Epping, NH 03042 | | |
Windham, NHThe Stove Shoppe 25 Indian Rock Road Windham, NH 03087 | | |
Hamilton, NJBowden's Fireside - Hearth & Home 1731 Nottingham Way Hamilton, NJ 08619 |  | Visit Store Page |
Voorhees, NJRettinger Fireplace Systems, Inc. 476 Centennial Blvd Voorhees, NJ 08043 |  | Visit Store Page |
St. Henry, OHBuschur's Refrigeration, Inc. 541 N Eastern Avenue St. Henry, OH 45883 |  | Visit Store Page |
Media, PAChimney Cricket 101 State Road Media, PA 19063 |  | Visit Store Page |
Rapid City, SDHebron Brick Company 1543 Deadwood Ave Rapid City, SD 57709 |  | Visit Store Page |
Sioux Falls, SDHebron Brick Company 2211 W. 50th Street Sioux Falls, SD 57105-6525 |  | Visit Store Page |
Vermillion, SDKalin's Indoor Comfort Inc. 710 Cottage Avenue Vermillion, SD 57069 |  | Visit Store Page |
Manassas, VAWinston's Chimney Service 11301 Industrial Road Manassas, VA 20109 |  | Visit Store Page |
Barre, VTChimney Sweep Fireplace Shop 1284 US Rte, 302 Ste 10 Barre, VT 05641-2317 |  | Visit Store Page |
Bennington, VTFriends of The Sun 126 Hicks Avenue Bennington, VT 05201 |  | Visit Store Page |
Manchester, VTFriends of The Sun 159 Depot Street Manchester, VT 05255 |  | Visit Store Page |
Shelburne, VTChimney Sweep Fireplace Shop 3113 Shelburne Road Shelburne, VT 05482 |  | Visit Store Page |
White River Jnct, VTHome Comfort of New England 1255 VA Cut Off Road White River Jnct, VT 05001 |  | Visit Store Page |
Burlington, WIBurlington Fireplace & Heating LLC 857 Milwaukee Ave. Burlington, WI 53105 |  | Visit Store Page |
Madison, WITop Hat 5117 Verona Rd Madison, WI 53711 |  | Visit Store Page |
Morgantown, WVRustic By Design 709 Beechurst Ave. Suite 15 Morgantown, WV 26505 | | |
Laramie, WYHigh Country Stoves & Fireplaces 860 N. 3rd Street Laramie, WY 82072 | | |