How To Choose A Propane Gas Log Set

If you love spending evenings in front of a fire, but don’t love all the effort it takes to make them happen, you’re not alone. That’s why people all over our eastern Tennessee and southern Virginia service area are turning to propane gas log sets – a set it and forget it solution that brings you the warm glow of a hearth at the push of a button, without the hassles of wood fire set up and clean up.

If you have decided to install a propane gas log set, one of the key choices you will have to make is between direct vent and vent-free options. Each has its pros and cons, and the best choice for you will depend on your needs, your home, and your local building codes.

Here’s a quick summary of considerations for each of the two propane gas log possibilities:

Vent-free propane gas log sets

Vent-free log sets are considered space heaters and have similar features, including a safety shut-off, room oxygen sensor, and nearly 100 percent heating efficiency.
The flame on a vent-free log set is reduced so it burns less fuel and emits fewer exhaust fumes in order to meet safety standards; a typical vent-free log set is rated at about 40,000 BTUs / hour.
Vent-free log sets are great if you want an efficient heat source for a small- to medium-sized fireplace or room. However, some building codes prohibit the use of vent-free heaters in living spaces, so do your research before committing to buy one!

Vented propane gas log sets

Vented gas logs are designed to produce bigger flames, but this comes at a cost of efficiency: vented fire log sets burn about twice as much fuel as a vent-free log set – about 80,000 to 90,000 BTUs/hour.
Vented log sets are great if you have a large fireplace, want a blazing fire and can live with lower efficiency and higher fuel bills.

Not sure which propane gas log set is right for your fireplace? Contact the experts at Admiral Propane to discuss your options – and if you’ve always dreamed of having a fireplace, contact us to learn about a propane fireplace installation. It may be more affordable than you think!