A GAS INSERT is a stove that inserts into an existing fireplace, offering a conversion from an open hole in the wall where heat escapes the house into a powerful heating source.
An open burning fireplace is the least efficient of all your choices. With the open damper and large fireplace opening, an open fireplace uses conditioned (preheated) room air to provide combustion to the fire, and the existing large chimney (often 12" x 12" or larger) sucks away the heat produced by the fire at a faster rate than it can be recovered for usable heat in the home. Therefore, most open burning fireplaces (no matter the fuel, wood or gas) are 10% to minus 10% efficient - you're often sending more heat up the chimney than you're gaining in the room!
We specialize in period style fireplaces and the inserts that fit them. We carry several styles that function in a variety of ways to suit your needs:
Closed Front, Direct Vent Models with Glass Window
»Windsor Direct Vent, President, Bolero, Focus
This appliance offers the greatest efficiency of all vented appliances. A dual liner system (usually two 3" diameter liners) are installed through the length of the chimney. One liner provides outdoor air for combustion while the other provides a passageway to exhaust the fumes; this system balances incoming combustion air with outgoing exhaust air for a "balanced" operation. Direct vent models are the most efficient; they do not remove heated room air to provide combustion for the fire; their performance is not generally affected by home construction issues and they can most often work perfectly in all installations.
Open Front B-vent Models (Natural Vent) Without Glass Window
»Adorn, Windsor B-Vent
This classification of appliance is the least efficient but most "authentic" in style. There's no glass window in front of the fire, but the reduced opening means heated room air enters the fire at a less rate. The chimney is lined with aluminum or stainless steel pipe (usually 4") to reduce the amount of air that can exit the house. Combustion air comes from the house and fumes exit through the new liner. While rated as "decorative" appliances with no efficiency rating, we find these models will generally provide about 50% efficiency in most homes; 20,000 btu input will give about 10,000 btu heat output into the room. However, even when not being burned, the open front allows heated room air to escape up the flue so keep in mind this type of appliance is least desirable in terms of overall efficiency.
Closed Front, Natural Vent (B-vent) Models with Glass Window
»Accent 20
This appliance has a glass window, uses room air for combustion, and vents using a single liner (usually 4") to send fumes up the chimney. Efficiency rating is about 65-79% on most models, but keep in mind this is how efficiently the appliance converts the gas consumed into usable heat and does not take into account the heat it is removing from the house to provide combustion air. Additionally, B-vent models can experience performance problems in very tight homes, older homes, higher elevations, etc. Unlike the open front units, the glass window provided on these appliances does help prevent heat loss up the chimney when the unit is not being burned.
About Vent-Free Gas Appliances
Vent-free appliances use room air for combustion and exhaust fumes (and tremendous moisture) into back your home. These exhausts are irritable to most people and hazardous to those with certain medical conditions. Having used them ourselves we never would again!
We do not sell vent-free appliances; here's why »
Large Selection of Inserts, Nationwide Shipping
We offer a wide variety of inserts, all specially chosen for their style, size and specialty features. If you need help meeting your specialized needs then please contact us today! Call toll-free, 1-866-427-2625. You can also chat with us live (click the logo in the top left corner), fax us or e-mail us. Our friendly, knowledgeable and highly trained sales and design staff is equally accessible, whether you walk in the store or contact us from across the nation. We're here to help!
CLICK ANY MODEL at right for complete product details & pricing.