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Published : June 11, 2008 |
Author : ifireplace
Category : Home and Family | Total Views
: 9 | Unrated
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The fireplace is going to be the focal point of your home and there are a number of options available to the renovator. The most important decision you have to make is what system you will use in your renovation. A number of factors need to be taken into consideration when choosing what type. Firstly you need to establish the structural integrity of the fireplace and chimney, hire a local expert to establish if the fireplace can be used for burning wood.
The traditional choice is to go with a fully functioning wood burning fireplace if you get the ‘all clear’ from your contractor, what could be better than the cracking, popping and warm fiery glow of burning logs? Well there are some other considerations that may steer you away from the perfect roaring log fire. Due to environmental issues burning wood is banned in many area so check with your local authorities first. You also need to think about the work involved in cleaning and hauling not to mention trekking through rain and snow for a couple of extra logs. Even if you are happy to destroy the ozone layer you are probably wondering what your other choices are.
Gas fireplaces offer a number of options including vented and vent-free gas logs. All offer the convenience of flames on demand; various ignition systems are available from manual ignition to fully automated electronic remote control.
Vented gas logs are the most realistic of the gas products and must be used in a fireplace that can be used to burn wood, check with your contractor. The drawbacks of vented gas fireplace logs are they are very inefficient and have low heat output as the majority of the heat they produce goes up the chimney. If heat output is important vent-free gas logs offer a solution. These log sets have a clean burn flame that emits very little carbon monoxide so they can be used with the flue damper closed consequently they are very efficient. Vent free gas logs are equipped with an oxygen depletion sensor so if oxygen levels become dangerously low the unit shuts off. Some of the issues with vent free logs include, they do emit some odor which can be unpleasant and also water vapor is emitted into the room which may not be ideal in an older renovation project. Running costs also need to be considered with today’s sky high fuel prices.
Electric logs which were once a pile of wood nailed together with a flickering bulb have made significant advances in recent years, they have evolved into high-tech appliances that seriously rival gas logs. The leading models now are indistinguishable from real flames with perfectly detailed cast resin glowing logs and have remote controls to change the heat setting and flame intensity. One unique advantage of electric fireplace logs is that the flame effect can be used without the heat so you can have the ambiance year round for pennies an hour, about the same as a table lamp. Installation is simple as they plug in to a regular electrical outlet. Heaters on these units are 5,000 BTU which is ample to heat a good size room. So for the socially aware family that craves convenience, electric fireplace logs offer the perfect solution for any fireplace renovation.
Author Name : Greg Jackson
Email : greg@fireplaceblogs.com
Website Name: www.Fireplaceblogs.com |
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