Our Company Blog

Gas Logs F.A.Q.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gas Logs

At Beach Stove & Fireplace we find that gas log sets continue to be a bestseller for us. Our customers love them for their ease of installation and ease of use. Plus, gas logs are better, warmer, and more realistic-looking than ever. Still, that doesn’t mean that people don’t come into our showroom with plenty of questions about whether gas logs are right for them, as opposed to all the other options out there. With more than 12 years invested in our Westhampton Beach, New York, business, we now consider ourselves pros at weighing the pros and cons of different heating options for our customers, with concern given to everything from budget to heat, ambiance to safety.

Have questions about whether or not gas logs are right for you? We hope our FAQ may be of some help:

You have questions about switching to gas logs and we have answers.

What are the advantages of gas logs?

Most of our customers who prefer gas logs do so because they’re much easier to deal with than wood, which needs to be chopped or purchased, hauled inside, and then scooped out after the fire has died. Gas logs also allow you to turn off your fire when you go to bed or leave home, instead of waiting for the fire to go out naturally. Plus, many types of gas log sets can be activated by a remote control. You also should not have to have your chimney cleaned annually if you use only gas logs in your fireplace.

Can I install gas logs in my existing gas or wood-burning fireplace?

Gas logs actually aren’t safe to install in gas fireplaces. Instead gas logs are made to install in wood-burning fireplaces as a way to convert them to gas. It is very important to follow all installation rules so as not asphyxiate yourself or put yourself at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning. If your existing fireplace was designed to burn wood, there’s a good chance that you will be able to burn gas logs in it.

What is the difference between vented and vent-free gas logs?

Vented gas logs require the use of a chimney and a fully functioning wood-burning fireplace to operate safely while vent-free (ventless) logs can be installed in either a wood-burning fireplace or a fireplace specially designed for ventless gas logs. Ventless gas logs create more heat, but vented gas logs look more realistic.

How much do gas logs cost to burn?

The cost will vary greatly depending on which type of fuel you use—liquid propane or natural gas—as well as the BTU rating of your gas logs, but by most accounts you will spend between 55 cents and $1.15 per hour to use your gas logs. The national average cost of natural gas is about half the cost of propane.

Live in the Westhampton Beach or the Long Island area and have questions about gas logs? Beach Stove & Fireplace is here to serve you. Reach us at (631) 998-0780.

Making the Switch to Gas

Converting to Gas

You have a wood-burning fireplace that you would love to use more often, but it is so inconvenient for you to operate. You forget about opening the damper, and smoke gets in your house, leaving you with a gigantic mess to clean, along with the normal ash residue that you get from burning a wood fire. Not to mention bringing in the firewood, and the heat and energy you lose with a wood-burning fireplace — is there any way you can easily convert that wood-burning fireplace to a gas fireplace? If you already have natural gas heating in your home, it is simple and relatively inexpensive to convert to a gas fireplace with a gas insert. Beach Stove & Fireplace can assist you in this conversion from selection of your insert to its installation, so contact us today to get started on your new gas fireplace insert.

According to a Washington Post article, “How To: Convert a fireplace to natural gas,” while a true gas fireplace insert eliminates the possibility of having an open fire, the positive is you do not have any of the worries of an open fire. More energy-efficient than any fire in a fireplace, you can leave this fire running for as long as you want. Your fire chamber will be sealed, and all the combustion air is piped in, and the exhaust air piped out. Also, the glass doors on your fireplace will always be shut. Gas fireplace inserts are so much more energy-efficient that the Environmental Protection Agency offers incentives to consumers for buying certain brands and types of inserts.

Not only will you be converting your old wood-burning fireplace to gas, but you will also be completely renovating its appearance. When you see the different options of styles and looks of gas fireplace inserts that Beach Stove & Fireplace has to offer you, you will not believe the gorgeous choices available to you. We carry many different brands, from Kozy Heat Fireplaces to Regency Fireplace Products. Taking a look at these inserts gives you a whole new perspective on converting to gas as now you can reimagine your living space in an entirely new way.

While the wow factor of the appearance is important, it is worth repeating how much energy you will save when you convert your wood-burning fireplace to a gas fireplace with an insert. The overall efficiency of your fireplace will be increased up to 75%! And, controlling your fireplace with a remote control is an out-of-this-world experience. If you are ready to convert to gas, contact Beach Stove & Fireplace today. Our experienced sales professionals are ready to guide you through your purchase, and our NFI-certified, in-house installers are here to install your insert, with a one-year labor warranty on all installation work.