subject: Types Of Gas Fireplace Inserts [print this page] Finding the right gas fireplace inserts to fit your home and your lifestyle is hard if you have no knowledge about the different models available within the markets today. Hopefully this article will help shed some light on the differing styles and the disadvantages and advantages of each. The definition of inserts is as follows.
Any existing fireplace can have a insert added to it. They are simply designed to be inserted directly into where the older fireplace is. The only thing when installing inserts that are gas is that you must have a reinforced steel chimney type liner for safety precautions before these inserts can be installed within your home. An advantage of these liners though are that they keep clean up of the ventilation system so much easier.
Inserts that are labeled having efficiency ratings of 99 percent to 75 percent are consider as being highly efficient. Some problems with these types are that due to them keeping the heat within the rooms so well they tend to build water condensation up around the systems of ventilation. This can cause problems to arise and possible malfunction of the inserts there selves.
A major concern with these high efficiency types is that as they can hold all the warmer air in a room they can cause serious health risks and potential life threatening problems due to the build up of carbon monoxide gases which also can become trapped within the same room. It is safest if you install one of these inserts to also have detectors for carbon monoxide throughout your home to ensure your families safety.
Fake fireplaces are becoming even more popular now in homes who have never had any type of wood stoves, fireplaces or some form of chimney in them. The inserts labeled gel work great. These are made to look just like regular crafted beautiful fireplaces but instead of wood they burn gel canisters which are filled with pure grained alcohol. Advantages are they give you the same looks and feel of real wood burning ones.
The more permanent types of inserts are those called propane ones. These are very dangerous to try and do the installation yourself. Only true gas and propane specialists should install these within your home. If you have an existing chimney and fireplace structure then you can purchase the vented model. But if there are no chimneys or ways to vent they do come in the vent-less as well.
Inserts which are gas logs are one of the best buys for gas fireplace inserts. These are made of a gas burner which is decorated above it with real looking logs. Once the gas is lit you have the convenient option of making the flames dance higher and more vibrant or dimmer and more subtle. You can also change the heating settings all with the click of a remote control, no need to get up and change them.
