Converting Woodburning brick masonary fireplace into ventless gas fireplace question.

[Big Bubba]

I just moved into a new to me home, 1980 built remodeled, and I want to convert the current brick masonary wood burning fireplace to a propane ventless fireplace with a blower motor to dissipate the heat into the main part of the home. Anyway, I am racking my brain out trying to determine the cheapest way to do that without breaking the bank. How could I go about doing that? I am certain I will need to purchase a insert, but already brought a set of propane logs. I need help with how to go about getting this project accomplished. Thank you and Happy New Year, 2012, to you as well.

 

[90stingray]

Need to plumb a gas line to the insert. Also, probably powered wall switch to turn unit off and on. Measure for insert. Order one.

I think if you have an actual brick chimney ... you will have to sleeve it with a stainless pipe that matches the insert. Also some are double wall that pull outside cool air in one layer and exhaust thru inner layer. Depends on insert. Hope this gets you on your way...

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[dingbat]

Re: Converting Woodburning brick masonary fireplace into ventless gas fireplace quest

We just bought my in-laws house with a gas insert. Don't know about your area, locally you have to have a SS sleeve in a masonry chimney. It cost the in-laws $2,100 to have the sleeve installed in the chimney. Then there are the ugly tanks sitting outside the house. My BIL manages the local propane company so at least we don?t have to pay the monthly rental fee.

It's nice to have a "fire" at the touch of a button but it's just not the same as a real one. If something major goes wrong with this insert I?ll probably tear it out and go back to wood

Homeowner Safety and Fireplace AlternativesImproper installation, improper fireplace sizing, improper use, and appliance failure can all lead to major safety issues. In fact, health concerns over the use of this appliance have led some countries and states within the US to ban vent-free gas fireplaces. Still, too many homeowners covet the low installation and operating cost and only want to use their fireplace on a limited basis. If you're one of these homeowners, at the very least try to find a contractor/manufacturer who will bear the responsibility for product failure, should something go wrong. Ask these professionals and companies about health concerns. If they dismiss these concerns as foolish myths, you should probably run for the door. On the other hand, if they tell you there are some concerns, but they've never had any problems with their fireplaces, ask them to put in writing that they will cover any damages and expenses associated with product failure.

Your best bet remains to simply put up the extra money and install a vented fireplace. It may cost a little more and not be as energy-efficient, but saving a few dollars on your utility bill shouldn't be as important as the health and safety of your household

Read more: http://www.servicemagic.com/article.show.Vent-Free-Gas-Fireplaces.14705.html#ixzz1iJrjoclj

 

[tbird175]

Re: Converting Woodburning brick masonary fireplace into ventless gas fireplace quest

If you are installing vent free gas logs you will only need the firebox not the chimney (vent free). You wil need to close off the chimney to the ouside to eliminate the heat loss. If you have a damper in the chimney close it and seal around it. If there is no damper you will need to block the chimney opening with a metal or non flammable material. Without and existing masonry fireplace you could install a metal fireplace insert any where you wish to house the gas logs. You can even buy a wood mantle to house the box for a real fireplace look. These inserts can be equipped with a blower to distribute the heat, but you will find that a ceiling fan will do a good job of heat distribution. We use our vent free gas logs as supplemental heat, works great.

 

[rbh]

Re: Converting Woodburning brick masonary fireplace into ventless gas fireplace quest

If you are installing vent free gas logs you will only need the firebox not the chimney (vent free). You wil need to close off the chimney to the ouside to eliminate the heat loss. If you have a damper in the chimney close it and seal around it. If there is no damper you will need to block the chimney opening with a metal or non flammable material. Without and existing masonry fireplace you could install a metal fireplace insert any where you wish to house the gas logs. You can even buy a wood mantle to house the box for a real fireplace look. These inserts can be equipped with a blower to distribute the heat, but you will find that a ceiling fan will do a good job of heat distribution. We use our vent free gas logs as supplemental heat, works great.

Gotta ask, "were does the exhaust gas go????"

Seen a couple of shows that did a install, and yup, chimmey liner, SS?? makes sense though.
And if your burning natural gas make sure that your services/feeds to all appliances, hot water, dryer, cook stove, ETC do not over tax the feed line (for example 1 inch feed to 3/4" to 1/2")

Oh ya, and flex line for the last part of the run, not that bendable copper line.

 

[tbird175]

Re: Converting Woodburning brick masonary fireplace into ventless gas fireplace quest

Vent free means no exhausting to the outside. The vent free heaters and gas logs operate at 99+% efficiency, so there is no exhaust. These are approved for use in most states, some still have restrictions. You do have to provide adequate make up air for combustion. Be sure that the one that you buy has a low oxygen sensor to shut down it down if the oxygen in the heated area is nearing depletion. These heaters do create moisture as a byproduct of their combustion. In extreme cases it may be necessary to use a dehumidifier.

 

[erie_guy]

Re: Converting Woodburning brick masonary fireplace into ventless gas fireplace quest

Big Bubba,

We use vent-free fireplaces in both of our houses. The one at our Lake Erie cottage is a vent-free propane stove that we use occasionally during winter months to supplement the small forced forced air propane furnace. It helps to provide a rapid heat-up to the cottage when we want to visit during the winter months. It also adds moisture - which is a plus in this old house.

At our Columbus condo, we have a vent-free natural gas log set that provides heat to the house. It is installed in a woodburner fireplace that has been sealed up by closing the damper and installation of a sheet metal deflector just below the damper.

Both homes have CO detectors in the rooms that have the vent-free appliances. We have never seen CO levels that would indicate a problem with flue products. As noted by "third175", the combustion is nearly 100% efficient and the only product of combustion are carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapor (H20). These two compounds are the same products humans exhale in every breath. If any Carbon Monoxide (CO) is detected, the burner is in need of service and adjustment.

Our condo vent-free insert also has a "glowing ember" front burner that uses small squares of catalyzed fiber simulating the burning of the red hot ashes. It gives a good radiant output and combined with the glow from the dancing flame = Really Cool !!!

erie_guy
Port Clinton, OH

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Converting Woodburning brick masonary fireplace into ventless gas fireplace quest

Ditto to this ^^^^ Same for my house in Oklahoma. Works Great no issues. Ventless IS the way to go.

 

[Big Bubba]

Re: Converting Woodburning brick masonary fireplace into ventless gas fireplace quest

We'll guys Craigslist is AWESOME for buying stuff dirt cheap. I found a really good deal, a deal I could not pass up. I found a complete gas log, propane gas, insert with dual blower motors complete insert with the molding panels that go around the outside of it that slides right into my current brick chimney fireplace. I wish I could tell you all the price but I might get into trouble. I will say this it only cost a two digit amount, if you know what I mean. I mean this guy basically gave this thing away and I brought it immediately becuase it was incredibly, intensely cheap for it. The guy just wanted to get rid of it because he upgraged his log set and he lives in a very nice two story brick home. Now all I got to do is get a propane gas tank and hook it up and I am good to go. Glad this will be a super duper cheap project to heat my home up during normal cold outbreaks or during emergency situations requiring me to use my propane fire place if the power would ever go out on me and my electric heat pump doesn't work.

 

[Big Bubba]

Re: Converting Woodburning brick masonary fireplace into ventless gas fireplace quest

Yeah, this insert even has the complete log set and the gravel rocks that go up under it for cosmetic looks. This thing is is AWESOME shape and it is a complete insert that slides right into my existing fireplace. WOW!!!! is all I can say about the price. I went to the local gas company and they want 1,200.00 to 1,400.00 for just the insert and Wow!!! I did not want to pay that much money for just the insert. Craigslist saved the day and I saved, I would say 98% off what I would have paid if I would have brought the insert from my local gas company. I am a Very. Extremely happy camper on my find. I am dieing to get this thing hooked up to propane so I can see how it works for me. The tag says it puts out 29,000 btu of heat.

 

[nwcove]

Re: Converting Woodburning brick masonary fireplace into ventless gas fireplace quest

jmo.....but do not try to set this up on your own!!! .....unless your are a certified installer, the consequences of an improper install could make your "AWSOME" deal a moot point. CO in your home will make you fall asleep.....and not wake up.

 

[Big Bubba]

Re: Converting Woodburning brick masonary fireplace into ventless gas fireplace quest

nwcove,
I will get my local gas company to hook it up for me and install the propane tank for me too. Yeap, I agree with you I don't want to have something major happen if I hook it up wrong.