Knowing Your Gas Fireplace Parts

It’s about time you learned about gas fireplace parts. After all, gas fireplaces are beginning to replace traditional masonry units that still burn on wood. People now often prefer units that run on gas because they do not produce smoke, ash and dirt that are generally associated with traditional fireplaces. In other words, they cause less pollution and require less effort to set up and clean. Moreover gas fireplaces are more cost efficient and produce more reliable and consistent heat.

It’s possible for you to choose to have a gas fireplace installed in your home. You might also simply want to convert your old unit into one that will function on gas. Before you do this though, you should first be fairly familiar with the parts of a gas unit.

Vents

The venting system is one of the most important parts for you to find out about. Gas fireplaces run on propane or natural gas. Experts therefore often insist that vents be installed to ensure that carbon monoxide poisoning does not occur.

Top vent units often have traditional structures and vent out of a top chimney. This is because they were mostly likely traditionally constructed and were simply fitted with a gas insert. Side vent units are different because the vent is located on an exterior side wall. This means though that gas fireplaces with side vents have to be attached to an exterior wall. A third kind of gas unit does not have vents at all.

Other Parts

Aside from vents, there are also other gas fireplace parts to look into. Like traditional fireplaces, those that run on gas also have hearths and fireboxes. These however are often for display purposes because there is no real need to burn wood in a firebox. What are essential in gas units are valves and pipes that are responsible for delivering gas that is the source of heat.

To control the temperature, gas units have thermostats, remote controls and fan kits. These are the parts that are responsible for ensuring that heat is produced at an ideal and reliable temperature. Depending on your supplier or installer, there can be other accessories or parts added.

Without Vents

Gas units without vents are beginning to grow in popularity. This is because it eliminates the hassle of having to install a venting system in houses that don’t have fireplaces yet. Having no vents also means that you don’t have to install a fireplace directly on a wall that faces outside. You should take note though that fireplaces without vents are not permitted in some regions because of the possible dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.

If you are allowed to have a gas unit without a vent, you have to make sure it has a carbon monoxide monitor. This essential part of a unit that has no vent will ensure that the gas source shuts down automatically if carbon monoxide levels rise above normal.

These are the basic gas fireplace parts you need to know before you get your own unit. Your basic knowledge in them can help ensure that you get the best fireplace option for your home.