[petermole]

Hi, I hope HVAC is the best topic area for this question. If not, please re-direct me.



I have a traditional brick&mortar fireplace in my home that I've used once in 20 years. I'm curious what it would take to install a vented natural gas log fireplace (w/remote control). The idea is to create a cozy area, heating maybe 6' out radius from the center of the "fire". House heating is fine even in the area of the house where fireplace is. This is more of an ambiance thing, but I do want some warmth from it. Right now, I'm thinking it should be around the 24" size?

Please tell me if the following assumptions are correct.

I can simply open the damper and use the existing chimney to vent the gas log fireplace. I don't need to add a flue or make any changes to the chimney.

The fireplace has clean out that goes straight down to the basement to an area where it would be easy to tap into my natural gas line. (Maybe 6' drop?) My first questions, is can I use flexible gas line to go through the cleanout? I've gotten mixed answers on this. If this is possible, what kind of line should I use? If not allowed, would it matter if the gas log fireplace was bolted to the brick or something like that to satisfy code to allow me to fasten a flexible line to it? Alternatively, is there a way for this to be done without having to break up the brick? I could use black or galvanized pipe, but how could I possibly get that long run down the vertical distance between the ground floor and basement?

Anyway, please correct my wrong notions and offer suggestions on how to do this the right and safe way. Thank you!

 

[sktn77a]

A vented natural gas log set isn't going to give off much heat (most of it goes up the chimney). An enclosed insert with a heat exchange and blower will produce a lot of heat but they are expensive - $4000-$6000.

Re: the flex gas line - check your local codes. Most log sets require a short flex pile between the gas supply and the burners. A good company can drill through the brickwork without any damage for a black pipe installation.

 

[petermole]

sktn77a,


Thanks for the reply,

A vented natural gas log set isn't going to give off much heat (most of it goes up the chimney). An enclosed insert with a heat exchange and blower will produce a lot of heat but they are expensive - $4000-$6000.

As mentioned, I don't want a lot of heat nor am I looking to spend 4 grand on a $300 gas log unit install. Room is already heated just fine by the HVAC system in house. I'm just hoping to sit new to the fire on a chair and be able to feel some heat so it's more that just pretty flames. Is 24" a good size for this purpose?

Re: the flex gas line - check your local codes. Most log sets require a short flex pile between the gas supply and the burners. A good company can drill through the brickwork without any damage for a black pipe installation.

? I'm not worried about the short line from the supply and burners, I'm wondering how to get it to the basement. No comment on using the cleanout? If I drill through the brick what's the idea here? Somehow get the line out the ceiling of the basement, then elblow it to where it has to go?

 

[user_12345a]

Gas logs vent a lot of air up the chimney and can back-draft. They waste a lot of gas and don't heat the house.

Even if heating isn't the primary purpose, it's silly to waste energy like that.

I would look at something else -> like an electric insert (with the heater disabled), or a candle holder for the fireplace...

 

[6t7gto]

We had gas logs installed in our wood burning fireplace about 20 years ago.
Wife wanted the ambiance. She lit that thing every night.
Then I got the gas bill.
I thought the gas company was going to have to install a grease fitting on the meter.
Needless to say the logs just sit there and look pretty now.

P.S. when they installed mine, they drilled down thru the base of the fireplace. Used black pipe from the gas valve down into the basement.
Then flexible gas line to where they tied into the house gas line.
They did not use the ash clean out which I have also.