WOOD
BURNING FIREPLACES
Wood burning fireplaces are just as the
name implies. Several types of wood burning
fireplaces are still used today, all of
which burn wood, but with vastly different
characteristics.
Traditional masonry style fireplaces are
made of brick and block and require a masonry
foundation to support the fireplace. These
types of fireplaces are terribly inefficient
and produce little heat relative to their
cost. Today, masonry fireplaces should be
constructed with outside air supply to aid
in the combustion of the fuel.
Cost range of the masonry fireplaces are
about $4900-$15,000.
Most popular in today's construction is
the pre-fabricated wood burning fireplaces.
"Pre-fabs" as they are referred
to, are composed of metal fireboxes and
use metal chimney pipe for venting. These
types of wood fireplaces use outside air
to aid in the combustion process. Also,
these fireplaces use a reflective type refractory
brick to radiate the heat back into the
room. In addition, some pre-fabs have the
option to use a re-circulating fan which
helps increase the efficiency of the units.
These type of fireplaces are more efficient
than the masonry style fireplaces and average
anywhere from $500-$2500 in cost depending
on style and length of pipe.
High efficiency wood burning fireplaces
are pre-fabs, which have been refined to
burn its fuel very efficiently and completely.
These types of wood fireplaces use only
outside air for combustion and use a re-circulating
fan to push heat from the box into the room.
These units also use a metal chimney but
these chimneys are mostly made of higher-grade
metals like stainless steel and are insulated.
Range of costs varies greatly, but typically
these systems will start at around $2000
and go as high as $5900.
DIRECT VENT
FIREPLACES
Direct vent fireplaces are sealed gas only
fireplaces that can be vented horizontally
through a wall. These types of fireplaces
can NEVER burn wood. Direct vents can be
vented vertically if necessary. Direct vents
utilize ONLY outside air for the combustion
process. Efficiencies for direct vents usually
range from 70 - 90%. Direct vent fireplaces
use a two-pipe system in which one pipe
is an exhaust and one pipe is a fresh air
intake pipe, similar to a new furnace. Since
the system uses only outside fresh air for
combustion, no room air is removed from
the house for the combustion process to
take place. Although these fireplaces can
be installed anywhere in the home, this
system also is ideal for lower level or
basement installs where home pressures are
typically lower. Direct vent fireplaces
are ideal forms of zone heating in additions,
or rooms in the home which are inherently
cold. The simple on/off switch or the thermostatically
controlled switch provide instant reliable
"zone type" heating in any room.
Direct vent systems used for "zone"
type heating can be a fraction of the cost
of electric base board or forced air heat
when installed in existing homes or additions.
GAS
UP VENT FIREPLACES (B VENT)
Gas up-vent or natural draft fireplaces
are gas only fireplaces which primarily
use room air for the combustion process.
These type of fireplaces use a B-vent type
chimney and must be vented vertically. These
fireplaces can be set up with outside air
capabilities, however the majority of the
air needed for combustion will come from
the room. These type of fireplaces should
not be confused with wood burning fireplaces
which can burn gas logs. In most cases,
these fireplaces have a solid glass front
(no operable doors). There are benefits
of B-vent type fireplaces, one is that they
can be installed in areas of the home which
require small clearances for the chimney.
The chimney can be installed very "creatively"
if need be. B-vent chimneys have much less
restrictions when venting compared to wood.
They can also be vented into a masonry chimney,
even if your furnace and/or hot water heater
is venting in it too. Since up-vent type
fireplaces use mostly room air for combustion,
they are inherently less efficient than
direct vent fireplaces. Up vent fireplaces
have typical efficiencies in the 50 - 60%
area.
VENT FREE
GAS APPLIANCES
Vent free gas appliances are either freestanding
stoves or built in prefabricated fireplaces
that do not require an external venting
system. Vent free products have listed efficiencies
as high as 99%. However the State of Wisconsin
does not allow vent free appliances to be
installed in homes built after 1980. Currently,
homeowners should check with local building
inspectors to see their policies on vent
free products.
GAS LOGS
Gas logs are concrete, fiber or ceramic
logs that are installed in woodburning fireplaces
and operate using the gas line that is part
of the home piping system. Gas logs are
operated the same as burning wood, but gas
logs do not burn up. The basic rules for
burning gas logs are the same as wood. The
damper must be in the open position, outside
air (if applicable) should also be in the
open position. Gas logs are also rated based
on the BTU input of the burner. That BTU
input will also determine the flame characteristics
of your log and the amount of gas usage
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