How Long Can You Run Gas Logs?

Long Enough for Endless Cozy Charm!

As the hassle of dealing with kindling, logs and ash gets less appealing, more of our customers are asking us about converting their hearth to burn propane gas logs. Conversion is easy, and since propane fireplaces are both good looking and easy to install almost anywhere, people who don’t have a chimney can now boost the charm—and value—of their home. What’s more, gas log hearths are a great option for supplemental heat!

Another benefit is that, unlike natural gas, propane does not contain methane, a potent greenhouse gas. And, while burning anything (even candles) will produce carbon monoxide and particulate matter, a direct-vented propane hearth has a small pipe that simultaneously draws air for the fire from the outdoors, while it expels the fire’s combustion byproducts to the outside. That means you can run a vented gas log set virtually as long as you want.

How Do Gas Logs Work?

Gas logs are made from cement, ceramic or ceramic fiber blends that are carefully crafted and painted to look just like real wood logs. They’re made to withstand high heat, and should last two to five years, depending on how much you use your gas fireplace.

If you are converting a traditional woodburning hearth to burn gas logs, you will use a gas log insert. Your existing chimney is used to vent combustion gases up and out, but instead of lighting it with matches and kindling, the log set is connected to your propane line, and you flip a switch to light or extinguish the flames.

If you don’t have a chimney or flue, you can opt for either direct vent or vent-free gas fireplace technology.

With direct venting, a single dual-chambered pipe is installed directly through a wall to the outdoors. The pipe works like a flue to pull air in for the combustion process, and draw any combustion byproducts and particulate matter to the outside.

Ventless models use a regulator to produce a fine gas-air mix that allows the gas to burn cleanly, producing minimal fumes associated with traditional gas fireplaces. However, because there’s no vent, it’s not recommended to run them for more than a couple hours at a time.

Charm, Convenience—and Efficient, Too!

Not only will a gas log fireplace add cozy charm to almost any room in your home, it can also eliminate the hassle, mess and safety concerns of a wood-burning hearth.

Today’s propane logs use a remote control and a thermostat that lets you dial up the heat you want—which is great not only for controlling temperature, but for controlling your propane use. Those electric igniters are also more efficient than a standing pilot light.

Another feature you don’t get with a wood fireplace are multispeed blowers that push warm air into the room, providing better, more even heat—especially in larger spaces like great rooms.

The even better news is that they don’t just look nice: Your gas log hearth can be a very efficient source of supplemental heat. A propane fireplace runs at about 80 percent efficiency—which makes them four or five times more efficient than a wood-burning fireplace.

But best of all, a gas log hearth lets you spend time enjoying time with family and friends, not tending a fire—how efficient is that? Ask about our full catalog of beautiful options from all the leading brands, and let the team at Admiral help you select the best type of propane fireplace for your Tri-cities home. Contact us for more information today.