All About Gas Logs

All About Gas Logs

A popular, energy-efficient way to convert a wood-burning fireplace to gas fuel, gas logs are more economical than gas fireplace inserts, and these logs require less time to install as well. A roaring fire without any hassle, some sets of gas logs are so convenient that you can use a remote control to adjust the flame. In the past, artificial fireplace logs looked so unrealistic that no one was tricked into believing he was looking at a wood-burning fire. Forget those plastic-looking logs from the 1970’s; when you see a fire burning using the Hargrove gas logs sets you will find at The Cozy Flame, you may have to remind yourself that you are not watching flaming logs of wood. Our Comfort Consultants in the showroom at The Cozy Flame would like to tell you more about gas logs and how they can heat your house with some help from the experts at the Chimney Institute of America (CSIA).

The most important things to know when you are shopping for gas logs include what the two different types are and what makes these two types different:

1. vented gas logs Also known as the “yellow flame” gas logs, a working chimney with the approval to use gas to fuel its fireplace is required to install this type of gas logs. Producing a beautiful, realistic fire, the flame provided by vented gas logs is quite often mistaken as a wood-burning fire. The heat output of this type of gas logs is also comparable to a wood-fueled fire as part of it exits through the chimney, so it is not as strong as the other type of gas logs. Venting by-products like soot and carbon out via the chimney, the CSIA recommends you have your chimney swept annually as proper and safe maintenance.
2. vent-free gas logs If you have heard someone talking about “blue flame” gas logs, he or she is talking about this type of gas logs. As is named “vent-free,” this type of gas logs needs no ventilation and can be installed almost anywhere in your home, as long as it meets the codes of your town. Your local codes are particularly important if you want to use vent-free logs to heat your home because in certain parts of the country, you cannot legally use this type of gas logs, due to the effects it has on the indoor air quality of your house. While the appearance of the vent-free gas logs fire is not as realistic as one of the other type, the “blue flame” fire provides much more heat than a “yellow flame” fire ever possibly could. Approved for installation in a wood-burning fireplace with its damper closed, the Cozy Flame can also install a separate firebox cabinet which is approved for use without a chimney for these gas logs.

If you have any more questions about gas logs and which type is right for your home, contact The Cozy Flame today. Our knowledgeable staff is ready to assist you in choosing your best set of Hargrove gas logs.