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Gas Fireplaces

Three basic types of gas fireplaces are widely available in North America: Zero Clearance direct vent, gas inserts, and free-standing designs. Your biggest challenge will be sorting through the wide range of models available to select a unit that is as efficient as possible and that suits your particular needs.

Direct Vent

Direct vent fireplaces have revolutionized fireplace placement in homes. Since they are vented directly to the outside through a hole in an exterior wall, there is no need to construct a chimney or run a freestanding flue above the roofline. Like firebox inserts, direct vent fireplaces are available in sealed combustion direct-vent models. When the fireplace is sealed, the air that is used to generate the flame (combustion air) is drawn from outside. The fumes that are a byproduct of the combustion are also vented to the outside. In this way, air contaminated with combustion byproducts and unused fuel does not circulate in the home, and household air is not used to fuel the combustion process.

A sealed-combustion direct-vent fireplace is by far the most efficient fireplace option. Since the entire operation is independent of the household air, with sealed combustion direct vent fireplaces there are no drafts and no heat loss. In fact, these fireplaces operate at a near 90 percent efficiency rate. AFUE-rated fireplaces can generate as much heat as a furnace—upwards of 40,000 Btu in some cases—and should be taken into account in any heating and cooling calculations for your home. Manufacturers offer heat calculation charts to help determine the number of Btu required to adequately heat the space in question. Armed with this knowledge, homeowners can shop for the right match in terms of capacity and aesthetics. Visit a specialty fireplace retailer to help select which style and options work best for your application. A great example is National Home Comfort in Toronto. http://www.nationalhomecomfort.com/

Gas Inserts

Gas fireplace inserts are meant to be installed in an existing fireplace cavity, to convert a wood-burning fireplace to use natural gas or propane. The gas burner and simulated logs are contained in a special metal housing that fits into the existing fireplace cavity. The unit has a glass front for viewing and a decorative metal trim. Existing chimneys must be relined with an approved vent when a gas insert is installed.

Free Standing Stove

Free-standing fireplaces resemble wood-burning stoves. All surfaces are exposed, so these fireplaces tend to be more effective in supplying heat to a home since heat is not lost up the chimney or in wall cavities.

Installation

Whichever design you choose, it should be installed by a heating professional. And you'll want to pay close attention to how the fireplace is vented. It's both a safety and an energy efficiency issue http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/residential/personal/gas-fireplaces-installation.cfm?attr=4

Locating a fireplace for maximum benefit

If your home-building or renovation plans include an efficient gas fireplace, take some time to plan the installation so that the fireplace can effectively contribute to your heating needs. Install the fireplace in a part of the house where it will be visually attractive and where you and your family spend most of your time and will benefit the most from its warmth. This is usually in your family room, dining room, living room or kitchen. Direct vent gas fireplaces are also a great addition to a finished basement. The layout of your house will affect the fireplace's ability to provide heat to other areas of the house. If you are building a new home, consider a layout that focuses on the fireplace. An open design, with few walls separating rooms on the main floor, will allow heat to move from the fireplace area to other rooms. An accessible stairwell will also allow the heat to move upstairs.

Useful Links

http://www.majesticproducts.com/index.asp?rgn=CDN

http://www.napoleonfireplaces.com/

http://www.nationalhomecomfort.com/