We serve a 60 mile radius from our location in Jonesville, MI! Call us or stop in for that new fireplace or stove! FREE Quotes!
(517)-688-5278 - Serving Jackson MI, too!
(517)-688-5278 - Serving Jackson MI, too!
Choosing a fuel
WOOD
Benefits: Natural and available. Wood can supplement furnace usage and reduce heating costs up to 30%.
Fire Characteristics: Expect robust, steady fires. Our wood products deliver powerful heating performance and efficiency.
Fire Starting: Paper, kindling, and a fire-starting log are effective.
Type of Heat: Adding more fuel will immediately increase convective heat. Radiant heat will remain steady.
Fuel Storage & Handling: Dry storage is important. A cord of wood is stacked 4'x4'x8'. On average, a 1,500 sq. ft. home will require 2-4 cords per season.
Do these units require electricity to operate? For the most part wood burning stoves do not require electricity to operate and therefore make excellent backup heating sources during power outages. Many do offer blower options but this is for boosting heat circulation and is not required to maintain operation.
Can I add a fan to my wood burning fireplace?
You can if you have a heat circulating model and if there is electrical power to the junction box then you can easily install a fan kit.
PLEASE NOTE:
Wood and Gas CANNOT be vented out of the same flue or liner. Wood burning liners cannot be used with gas appliances and vice versa. If you want to convert from one fuel to another, the liners must also be changed to conform to code.
gas
Benefits: Convenience. Quickly turn the fire on or off, adjust flame height and fire intensity.
Fire Characteristics: Gas fires are consistent and controllable by design. You choose the fire's intensity.
Fire Starting: Flip a switch or grab your remote. It's that easy.
Type of Heat: Enjoy a steady mix of radiant and convective heat.
Fuel Storage & Handling: Natural gas is piped directly to your home by a gas utility. Propane gas is stored on site in an above or below ground tank which is refilled by an LP gas provider.
Do these units require electricity to operate?
If your model has a standing pilot light, it does not require house current at any time to operate; or if your appliance has our patented IPI or IPI+ System, which works on a battery back up of 2 "D" or 4 "AA" batteries (depending on the particular ignition system), it will work in event of a power outage. You will need to install batteries for operation. If you have a fan or a remote control option, they will not work without power, but the appliance itself will burn and provide heat. (If you have a remote control, you may need to operate the appliance with the ON/Off switch in the control area of the appliance).
Gas units can burn either natural gas or propane:
They can burn one or the other, but not both. You need to be sure the gas hearth appliance you have is set up for the type of gas fuel you intend to burn. Conversion kits are available which will allow a unit to be changed to match the proper fuel type.
Are Gas units expensive to operate?
Operating cost will vary by region, by gas utility, and by fuel type. Based on national averages, a natural gas fireplace consuming 27,000 BTUs/hr will cost less than 20 cents/hr to enjoy. LP units run slightly higher. Your monthly gas bill should include your exact cost per therm (100,000 BTUs). Based on this rate, and the BTU input listed on the rating plate on your appliance, you can calculate the cost for your area.
Do gas burning units need to be vented? There are vent free fireplaces, freestanding stoves and fireplace inserts that burn either propane or natural gas that aren’t vented and are perfectly safe to use. These units are extremely effective heaters and are easier to install than vented units. These vent free units are not intended to be used as full time heaters however. The main consideration here is the moisture that is produced when burning gas. When used more than a few hours a day (depending on the size and air exchange of the area of installation), the moisture that is produced has been known to build up and create problems in some homes. Its generally recommended that if you’re looking to use the appliance on more than a very limited basis it should be vented. Please contact one of our sales associate to help you determine the choice that’s right for you.
Can a gas unit be installed in a bathroom?
Yes, provided the model includes a tempered glass front. It is also recommended that you do not install the fireplace where it is in danger of having water splash directly on it, nor install where there is a slippery surface where you are in danger of slipping or falling.
Can I use an existing masonry chimney as the vent for my gas fireplace?
No. The larger size of a masonry chimney is unsuitable for use with a factory built fireplace. We have several models of wood burning or gas burning inserts that are designed for retrofit into an existing masonry fireplace, and they contain special venting that can be used inside an existing chimney. We can help you pick the insert that best fits your needs.
What is the difference between a direct vent and a B vent gas unit?
A B-vent must be vented vertically and uses fresh air from inside the home to provide oxygen to the fire. A direct vent has a sealed glass front and pulls all of its fresh air from outside the home. Direct vents can be vented vertically or horizontally through an exterior wall. Direct vents are a completely sealed system; B-vent appliances are not.
What is the recommended burn-in or curing procedure on a new gas fireplace?
On a new gas fireplace there is a curing time or burn-in time. When initially burning your new gas fireplace, the oils, etc. from manufacturing will be burning off the fireplace. We recommend burning the fireplace 3 hours; completely cooling down the fireplace, removing the glass and cleaning it with household glass cleaner or Glass Bright; replacing the glass & continuing to burn the fireplace an additional 9-21 hours. (Make sure you re-latch the glass so it is securely fastened on your fireplace.) If necessary, open a window to release any odor during this process. This should eliminate the manufacturing smell on a new fireplace.
If i want to convert my wood burning fireplace to gas, is a set of gas logs or a gas insert going to be my best option?
Your decision really comes down to how much a priority heating efficiency is for you. If you want a lot of heat from your fireplace, you should consider a direct vent gas insert. From a cost standpoint, an insert will cost approximately five times the cost of a nice gas log set. However, since the insert is very efficient, it will pay for itself over a period of a few years in gas bill savings. We offer both a full line of inserts and vented gas logs to choose from. Installing room-vented or vent free log sets in our wood-burning fireplaces is unacceptable. Doing so will void your warranty on the fireplace and possibly your homeowners insurance.
vented gas logs
Cost To Operate: In Natural Gas, there is 100,000 BTU in a Therm. In Propane, there is about 91,500 BTU in a gallon. So based on those numbers, in order to operate a 70,000 BTU/hour decorative gas log set it would cost you roughly around $0.70/hour for natural gas and about$2.30/hour for propane.
Do they produce heat?
Gas logs will provide radiant heat in the general hearth area. Gas logs are easy to use, require little maintenance, and enhance the aesthetic appeal of your fireplace whether on or off. Use in conjunction with glass doors will improve their heating capacity. For maximized heat output, a full direct vent insert should be considered. A vented gas log must be used in a regular fireplace, designed to burn a wood fire. Some vented gas logs will give up to 25,000 BTU's of heat but we sell a line that heats amazingly! Stop in our showroom and check them out! :)
Fire Characteristics: Gas logs create a beautiful fire that will liven up a party or enhance a relaxing, quiet atmosphere. Gas logs are convenient, easy to operate and require minimal maintenance.
Benefits: Environmentally conscious homeowners often prefer gas logs over burning real firewood because natural gas and liquid propane release fewer pollutants into the air than wood burning. Gas logs provide you with the ambiance of a fireplace without the hassle of dealing with real firewood.
Fire Starting: There are many different ways to light a gas log set. It depends on what you want and how you prefer to operate them. There are a variety of Safety Pilot Kit options available for most gas log sets, and each manufacturer has specific features and functions for their ignition methods. The following is an overview of the basic features of each type: Match Light - The Match Light lighting method is the most basic lighting method. It has no pilot valve assembly at all. You place a match or lighter near the log burner and turn on the gas with your existing gas key valve. Flame height is controlled by adjusting your key valve to let more or less gas flow to the log set. This lighting method is available for natural gas log sets only and is the least expensive and problematic; however, it also requires great care when lighting the burner. Manual Safety Pilot- The Manual Safety Pilot lighting method includes a safety pilot valve assembly as well as a push button igniter. With a push button system, the spark to light the gas is generated by pressing the valve control repeatedly to ignite the gas and is then turned to increase the flame.The pilot valve has a safety mechanism built in which shuts off the gas supply in the event that the pilot light goes out or the burner is not lit. You have the option of utilizing the standing pilot which allows the burner to be continuously lit giving you the ability to turn the log set on and off as many times as you want using the control knob located on the side of the log burner without ever holding a match to the burner. Remote Control - With a push button system, the spark to light the gas is generated by pressing the valve control repeatedly to ignite the gas and is then turned to increase the flame. This must be done each time you wish to light the burner if you choose not to use the standing pilot function. With the electronic ignition remote system, electricity is used to ignite the spark each time the burner is lit. Some remotes will require an electrical outlet at the fireplace, and others operate from batteries. It is not necessary to maintain a standing pilot or light the burner by hand. This offers great convenience and enables you to enjoy your fireplace without interrupting your relaxation. Wall Switch - Wall switches are another option to use with your gas logs. The capabilities will depend upon the type of safety valve and ignition method used. Generally speaking, the wall switches will offer the same functionality as a remote but are permanently mounted in an easily accessible location. This is a great option if you have children in the home who might be tempted to use the hand-held remote.
pellet
Announce coming events
Benefits: Clean-burning and consistent. Pellets are affordable, available and renewable.
Fire Characteristics: Active and robust. A small fire can burn an inch high, while a powerful 10-inch blaze is bright and intense.
Fire Starting: Automatic thermostats and temperature controls do the work for you—just keep your hopper filled.
Type of Heat: Most of the heat is convectional—blown through a heat exchanger and out into the home.
Fuel Storage & Handling: Pellets are normally available in 40 lb. bags. A 1,500 sq. ft. home will use 2-4 tons per season, on average.
Do these units require electricity to operate? Pellet stoves require electricity to operate and so would need a battery backup or generator to operate if the power goes out.
electric
Benefits: Extremely reliable heat. No gas or wood to purchase. No venting required. Install almost anywhere.
Fire Characteristics: A hypnotic glow with no actual flames. Flames are very fake in appearance.
Fire Starting: Use an outlet or have the unit hardwired. Then, simply flip a switch or grab your remote.
Type of Heat: Electric fireplaces produce radiant heat—and you completely control the heat output.
Fuel Storage & Handling: Electric fireplaces are extremely hassle-free and don't require any fuel storage.
Are electric units expensive to operate?
In most areas it only costs two cents per hour to operate the flames and up to 22 cents per hour with the flames and the heaters on. The thermostat for the heater will automatically turn on and off per your setting to keep your room at the desired temperature. The thermostat will also lower your operating costs - frequently 50% lower or more.
Are they safe?
All models are tested to UL standards and will automatically shut off in the unlikely event they overheat. They are clean burning and do not put fumes and moisture in your home as do "vent-free" fireplaces.
Do they produce heat?
All of our electric products come with heaters and the flames can be used with or without the heater on. It can be a no heat fireplace! Some models can be wired to 240 volts with a heat output up to 10,000 BTUs.