<p>In my H’s ongoing project of spiffing up our master bedroom he is now onto the idea of replacing the wood burning fireplace with a vented gas log set. </p>
<p>Existing fireplace- wood burning with gas. Existing glass doors. Fireplace has probably only been used a handful of times in almost 13 yrs. We don’t aren’t looking for it as a heat source. We live in a temperate climate.
Due to living in a temperate climate the number of stores selling such items is limited to 1.</p>
<p>Has anyone made such a change and can recommend a good brand that is not super expensive? Also for someone who is handy is it hard to install without a professional?</p>
<p>Our “old” house which we bought brand new was under construction when we made an offer on it. Unfortunately, the builder already put in a vented wood-burning fireplace (with glass doors!); fortunately, he accepted our offer which included a line about him adding gas plumbing for the fireplace. We went to a local stove and fireplace store and bought a mid-priced log set (for about $150, as I recall) which H later installed himself following the included instructions. No special tools were needed. If your H is pretty handy, he will have no trouble with it. I do not remember the brand name because it happened 16 years ago, but I do remember that we were looking for the most natural-looking log set. It was not hard to do the self-install. We loved our modification; the only nuisance was that we had to light that fireplace with a lighter.</p>
<p>I have no experience with these guys, but they explain the different kinds of gas log sets well:</p>
<p>Make sure the gas log set you buy is the right kind for your fireplace; gas log sets come in vented and ventless varieties. Some are designed to burn natural gas, some are propane-burning.</p>
<p>If you click on the gas log sets on this page, it takes you to Gas Logs by RealFyre. I’m not sure if that was the brand we bought 16 years ago, but Rich’s usually carries good brands.</p>
<p>Be advised that all fireplaces are a net negatives to home heating. Having the flue open over a burning fireplace is equivalent to having a window wide open (unless you’re burning outside air). You just don’t feel it. A friend installed an open flue, open hearth gas log system and in the first month (January) he ran it 3 hours a day. His gas bill more than doubled. Those log sets look pretty but they burn way more gas per hour than a 30 y/o home heating furnace/boiler.</p>
<p>In my opinion a wood burning, outside air burning, inside air recirculating insert is the way to go.</p>
<p>However- there are many advantages to gas log over wood burning so it is logical to make the switch. Our house was built for both years ago with the gas log in it. So much nicer to be able to nearly instantly turn on/off the flame.</p>
<p>toblin, all good points, but as far as I know, mom60 lives in in CA where heating is usually not a problem. Most fireplaces in houses in Western CA, OR and WA are for decorative purposes. I believe she wants to have the gas logs in her bedroom for convenience and romantic atmosphere.</p>
<p>BunsenBurner has it right. We have 3 fireplaces in our house and I don’t know the last time we had a fire. The one in the FR and the Master have rarely been used in 13 yrs. Sometimes on a rainy weekend we will have a fire in the LR and read. But most rainy days we realize that all the chopped wood is on the far end of our property out in the rain.</p>
<p>We had a wood burning fireplace with a gas starter. A few months ago we removed the firebox for our wood burning fireplace and replaced it with a large gas fireplace insert. We had stopped using our wood burning fireplace due to the hassle and inefficiency. I love having my new fireplace! I use it all the time. Its beautiful and the ambience is lovely on a snow winter day (and we’ve had lots of those this year!!!). It does take about 15-30 minutes for the flame to become yellow and for heat to be generated, so it’s not instant, but it makes a huge difference!</p>
<p>We had RealFyre’s “Woodland Oak” gas log set installed several years ago. It looks pretty natural, as evidenced by a friend who’s a realtor not realizing that it’s a gas fireplace (I figure that realtors notice such details). Didn’t do it ourselves as this fireplace was not previously connected to gas. I am glad that we spent a little more to have a wall switch installed, so rather than needing to use a key in the floor of the fireplace, we can just flip a switch. We have a fireplace in our bedroom that we have never used. I’d love to convert that one to gas logs, too, if we ever have some extra cash.</p>
<p>You are correct. I should have stated my comments pertain only to those who live in cold climates and consider them a heat augmenters. As strictly a pretty thing, they work fine.</p>
<p>Our fireplace was wood burning with a gas starter. A few years ago we decided gas logs would get a lot more use. We bought a set from the local Hearth and Patio store.</p>
<p>The big difference for us (regarding toblin’s earlier post) is that our gas logs are ventless.
None of the heat is lost up the flue because it remaiins closed. We just flip the switch and have instant heat warming up our family room. I love my gas logs…couldn’t live without them in the winter.</p>
<p>Thank you. It looks like Frye is the company to go with. Good to hear the Woodland Oak is “real” looking.
For some strange reason my H is on this master bedroom home improvement kick. I don’t feel strongly about changing out the fireplace. I think part of the appeal is that we changed the furniture around in that room and now the fireplace is more of a focal point.</p>
<p>mom60, Hs are know to lose their interest in home improvements projects quickly. So while he has the energy and desire, have him as much stuff done as possible Good luck!</p>
<p>BunsenBurner- that is what I am doing. Loveseat and Chair are on order. Carpet is in the make a decision soon mode. Replacement trim on shower hardware is installed.
Just found out that the fireplace store in town that I thought had closed just moved to a more remote location. It looks like they carry the RealFrye brand.
My D can’t understand why my H feels we have money for home improvement projects but not for horse shows and clothes shopping.</p>
<p>Update-H is installing the log set as I type. We discovered that the local patio furniture store also had fireplace products. Stopped in Monday to “look”. Walked out with a Hargrove set. The store did not have the Frye brand but the look is the same. Spent around $300. We will see how easy it is to install. H already has had 1 trip to the hardware store for a different type of hose.
Not sure when we will use it. We are in the middle of a mini heatwave. Temps in the low 70’s.</p>
Good luck!</p>