kissy
OG
I want a new drug...
Posts: 855 
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Post by kissy on Dec 6, 2015 12:24:57 GMT -7
My 'new' house has a gas fireplace, which I was super stoked about because the gas fireplace at my other house heated that bitch up like a mother fucker. Mine, however, does not. It's warm if you sit right in front of it but other than that, no, and since this house is significantly smaller it should warm the whole thing up like nothing.
J and I looked and our guess is it used to be a real wood burning fireplace. The flu (sp?) is open. I don't know shit about this stuff and I want it fixed but I have NO idea who to call. Any ideas? I have a carbon monoxide detector so I don't die in my sleep but my thought is the flu shouldn't be open because then all the heat is now escaping out the original chimney.
Help!
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Post by nomorewirehanger on Dec 6, 2015 16:31:44 GMT -7
Errrrm. No idea. But my only suggestion is call the Local appliance repair place or a chimney sweep and ask for suggestions?
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Post by smokinghorse on Dec 6, 2015 18:33:32 GMT -7
The flue should be open if there is a fire going. Does it have glass doors? You can open them to help heat the house, and close them when you're not using the fireplace. If you don't have them, the flue can be closed when the fireplace is off, or, yes, it will suck the warm air out of the house. UNLESS you have a pilot light that stays on 24/7 for the fireplace. Then you should never, ever close the flue.
And, just to make matters more complicated, there are also different types of logs, which make a difference in how you should ventilate. Fun!
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Post by smokinghorse on Dec 6, 2015 18:39:13 GMT -7
I have to think that if you google "gas fireplace" in your area, there would be business listings for repair/replacement.
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kissy
OG
I want a new drug...
Posts: 855
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Post by kissy on Dec 6, 2015 18:58:04 GMT -7
So Jeremy messed with it today and got the flue mostly closed and OMG it's a huge difference in the heat. The whole downstairs feels warm and it's never felt like that with just the fireplace before. My guess is the flue needs to be closed or else all the heat is just going out the chimney. But I don't know exactly how gas fireplaces are supposed to work or ventilate so I need to find a company that can come tell me/fix it.
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kissy
OG
I want a new drug...
Posts: 855
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Post by kissy on Dec 6, 2015 18:58:37 GMT -7
It does have glass doors and it even has a blower but neither do a damn thing. The glass doors seem like they're just for looks. I really think the flue needs to be closed.
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Post by smokinghorse on Dec 6, 2015 19:38:03 GMT -7
Be careful....
If your fp was originally designed to be woodburning, you're at a disadvantage. The designs are different, and gas fp's are designed with smaller "pits" that include a material to radiate the heat out into the house more efficiently. A woodburning fireplace isn't engineered the same way.
I love that ur all toasty warm, but gas burning fire and closed flue? I'd rather be cold.
I'm not an expert or anything. I'm just now realizing that most of what I'm spouting off comes from working one summer in an office of engineers/architects. And that info could be obsolete for all I know! I'm kinda surprised I remember this stuff. Long, long ago. I can still smell the ammonia from making blueprints...
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kissy
OG
I want a new drug...
Posts: 855
|
Post by kissy on Dec 7, 2015 6:42:43 GMT -7
I think you're right Abby, I did some research last night and there's clearly a difference between vented and ventless gas logs and I have no idea which ones I have. They left me a bunch of papers for the fridge, range, dishwasher, etc. so I need to go through and see if the gas logs are in there, too. If these logs need to be vented then they're pretty much useless--I'm paying for gas to blow out my flue. J and I are going to look into it more and see what we can do. Thanks for all the info!
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