Convert Your Wood Fireplace to Gas
After owning a wood-burning fireplace, you may be in a position where you just don’t want to deal with the tasks that come with owning one. However, you don’t want to give up the warmth and ambiance. Do you still like having a fireplace in your home? However, you would prefer to just turn a switch and enjoy the fire. You don’t want the smell that comes along with a wood-burning fireplace.
The style and technology of gas fireplaces have come a long way in recent years. The ease of lighting a gas fireplace may be just what you are looking for.
Why Are Folks Choosing To Convert to Gas? 
- Ease of Use – No more cleaning up spent ash. No need to purchase, cut, or store split wood. No need to go out in the cold to reload your wood. There are many reasons for its ease of use. You will still get the warmth from them, usually with a thermostat that is included.
- Efficiency – Gas fireplaces are quite energy efficient. A gas fireplace converts 75-99 percent of the fuel’s energy into heat. This could be a savings on your heating costs.
- Heat Output – With a gas fireplace, the heat can be regulated with a thermostat. If it is too warm or too cold, all you have to do is adjust your thermostat. The regulator on the gas fireplace will adjust depending on what temperature makes you comfortable.
- Style – There are many different styles that you may want to choose from. You may like to keep the traditional look with a gas log. Maybe modern is more your style; glass-enclosed is a sleek look.
Different Types of Fireplace Options.
- Direct Vent or Vented – Although a gas fireplace does not emit smoke, it will emit toxic gases and needs a way to escape. A direct vent fireplace has a vent that allows air from outside in and the dangerous gases to escape.
- Ventless or Vent-Free – These use interior air for combustion. They are quite efficient as they use the air from within the home. For safety, there is an oxygen sensor that shuts off the unit when oxygen levels drop too low.
- Log sets – A simple, inexpensive, yet least efficient option. Gas logs are hooked up in the firebox to a gas line. Exhaust is sent up the chimney.
- Inserts – An existing fireplace is needed with a chimney for exhaust to escape.
- Built-in – If you do not have a fireplace, a built-in may be the most realistic option for you. This will hook up to an electric or gas line.
Our professional technicians at Mercer will be happy to give you all the information needed to make an educated decision as to which type of gas fireplace works best for you.
We are a Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) Certified and a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG). Our fully licensed, insured, and trained chimney technicians handle chimney sweeping, cleaning, and tough chimney problems. This includes tuckpointing, chimney construction, chimney venting, chimney pipe, chimney crown repair, chimney cap installation, chimney chase cover, chimney liner replacement or repair, leaky chimney repairs, fireplace restorations, chimney restoration, masonry services, chimney damper repairs, smoky chimneys, smelly chimneys, loose mortar on the chimney and any other chimney or fireplace services you need.