Replies

1. 
   spinnm | Oct 27, 2004 04:28am | #1

   Don't really understand.  There are zero clearance FPs that burn wood.  What is the issue with the code?

   ShelleyinNM

1. 
   salnmax | Oct 27, 2004 07:45am | #2

   Shelley,

   You are right to be confused. Sorry. Actually, what i meant to say is that we are stuck having to put in a Direct-Vent fireplace (vents out the side of the wall of the house, rather than using a masonry or pre-fab metal chimney [i think this latter, more traditional style is called "natural vent" fireplace]. The roofline of the room we are constructing is too close to the existing 2nd story gable/roof to put a standard [natural] vent chimney.  It doesn't look like we can find another spot in the new addition that gives enough clearance... (10')

   We want to find something that gives a good asthetic, as well as some heat of course.

   Thanks

1. 
   spinnm | Oct 27, 2004 08:25am | #3

   ohhhh...Can't help, never explored those.  If you don't get a response here, try Breaktime.

   ShelleyinNM

2. 
   DRSRDA | Oct 30, 2004 10:00pm | #4

   We used to have a regular woodburning fireplace that had a gas starter.  While the ambiance was nice, the heat production was lousy.  We installed a zero clearance fireplace that was all gas.  Because of pollution from wood burning fireplaces, some towns now require gas only fireplaces.  With the proper "logs" they are quite realistic.  The surrounds can be any style you want - traditional, modern,etc. to fit in any decor.  Our old fireplace was a flat rock wall,  now have a mantel and wonderful wood details.  Our unit it vented horizontally out the side of our house.  What's especially nice is that with a flip of a switch, we have ambiance AND heat.

3. 
   WayneL5 | Oct 30, 2004 10:46pm | #5

   I like the convenience of gas.  Vermont Castings makes some very nice fireplaces and stoves.  I have a stove and it's plenty realistic for me.  It takes about 15 minutes to warm up until the flames turn from blue to yellow.

   An advantage of most gas inserts and stoves is that they have standing pilot lights and can be equipped with thermostats.  They do not need any electrical power to run, nor do the thermostats.  I set my thermostat to 55°F all winter.  That way, if there is a power failure and I'm out of town, the stove will kick on if the house drops to 55° and my pipes won't freeze.  When I go out of town I close the doors to all the rooms without water in them, and leave open the doors to the bathrooms, kitchen, and laundry.  I open the cabinet doors under the sinks.

   In the summer the pilot light is turned off to save gas and keep the house cooler.

   I did some calculations and determined that the particular stove I had would maintain the house as much as 50° above ambient.  So as long as it did not go below about -18° or so outside, the house would be fine.

4. 
   BuilderGrrl | Nov 03, 2004 11:53pm | #6

   Hi Sally -

   Not only have we used direct vent units, but we removed our existing fireplace - chimney and all - put a skylight in the roof hole, built our own new frame for the firebox and then finished with decorative stone and drywall.  Everyone in our family has Fireplace Extrodinaire models.  When looking - we asked friends and family in Sun Valley, ID and it seemed everyone had this brand and loved them. 

   We are fans now, too.  We have one with it's own remote control that allows me to program the thermastat to the desired temp, locate the remote far away from the unit and it will heat until the remote gets to the desired temp.  We had it on last night and turned it off as the house got too warm! 

   We're onto our next home remodel (living here until it's complete) and are adding 3 of these units using one chimney to vent.  You will never want another messy woodburning fireplace again.  Not to mention, you'll be helping the air quality in your town.

   Good luck!

1. 
   lindenboy | Nov 04, 2004 04:45pm | #7

   Seems like there is a vast difference between 'cheap' gas burning and 'expensive' gas burning, with Fireplace Xtrordinare being on the later side.  That being said, from what I've seen on their specification sheets, it is quite the engineered system.

   The website is:  http://www.fireplacextrordinair.com/.

   While I've never use this product, what I like about i most is that it has an electric vent that forces are through the system without contaminating the inside air.  Maybe most 'new' gas fireplaces are like this -- we don't specify too many.

   The only caveot to the direct wall vent fireplace is the 4' x 6' metal box and 2' diameter metal hood on the wall.  At my parent's condo, the vent was located on the screened in back porch, and it was not good to brush up against it when the fire was burning (duh, i know).  Ugly and hot.  But those are things that you can hide with other features such as landscaping or a screen wall of some sort should you want to.

   j

1. 
   BuilderGrrl | Nov 05, 2004 01:39am | #8

   I would agree it's not the least expensive solution, but by far the best operating and heating.  I shopped around and got a pretty good deal.  The folks at FE were also very helpful when we wanted a different finish than one of their fronts offered.  They sold us an infinished front and we had it nickel dipped locally.  It actually ended up less expensive, but I definately did some sourcing and running around.

   BG

5. 
   aimless | Nov 05, 2004 10:44pm | #9

   Some other thoughts from my limited experience with Direct Vent stoves and fireplaces:

   The first place I had a zero clearance fireplace the thing kept mysteriously going out, yet when the technician tested it he found that there was plenty of combustion air. After months of problems he finally arrived at the right time and discovered that wind gusts going crosswise to the vent were robbing the fireplace of air. The simple solution was to build a windsheild. The lesson I learned is that exposed vents, particularly in an area with high prevailing winds, can be prone to problems. Where we live now the vent is into a protected area that doesn't get the wind often, and when it does the wind doesn't go across the vent.

   We really like having a thermostat on ours.  Ours is switched so if we just want ambience instead of heat we can override it.  I have both a wood burning fireplace and a gas stove (Waterford brand) and find that I NEVER use the wood. The days when it would be nice to have are usually 'no-burn' days around here. Plus there is the annual maintenance required for the chimney if you actually use it.