Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 25, 1999 06:51pm | #1

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   Morning Jim,

   You local gas company is your best source for information on these units. Local codes vary with requirements for these things, so it's always best to check with the gas company first.

   I've seen and installed a lot of them and have yet to come across a poor model, so I don't think you will have any problems finding a good one, and it's a nice way to add supplementary heat in a house.

   Gabe

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 25, 1999 07:06pm | #2

   *I wanted to put a non-venting one in my house and since we had no gas hook up I was going to have 2 100 LB. propane tanks under my deck. A fire that burned the deck off the house convinced me that was probably not a good idea. Having said that, is there away to use those little propane torch canisters for this purpose. I know it wouldn't be cost effective, but it wouldn't cost much more than those bundles of wood I see sold at 7-11. I am thinking of only occasional use, I have heard people use 20# tanks sometimes, but I don't want that much in the house.

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 25, 1999 07:42pm | #3

   *Morning J.D.I sure wouldn't want you to have any propane or natural gas containers inside your house either!You can always rent a 100lb tank and hide it anywhere in your yard (behind shrubs or small compound, DON'T put it inside any enclosed shed or building) and run a flexible line to your gas fireplace.Gas companies normally have rental tanks and will install the lines for you. You just supply them with the trench.Gabe,ps: regardless of how you do it, do it safe.

2. 
   Kai_Millyard | Apr 26, 1999 05:22am | #4

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   Hi there,

   Well, if you want to use it as a heater, you'll need to ask some very hard questions of the vendors or utility. Some of them are VERY inefficient (like 20%!). None of them are even as efficient as a basic mid-efficiency gas furnace. Trouble is that there are not final standards for measuring or labelling the efficiency of these units yet.

   There's an unfinished measuring standard in Canada that is starting to be used--I don't know about the States. You could ask if the model you're interested in is sold in Canada and if so what its P4 standard rating is. If you're looking into one that vents indoors - it won't be on the list--they're considered too dangerous and are banned in Canada.

   Have fun shopping.

3. 
   Jim_Lawrence | Apr 26, 1999 05:23am | #5

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   Looking for advice on gas fireplaces, some seem very cheaply engineered and am looking primarily for ability as heater but with decent asthetics to be installed in a 100yr old farmhouse.