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What to expect from your new gas fireplace:
A new fireplace or insert will emit an odor and possibly smoke during the first few operations. This is a curing process of the oils, paints, etc. used in the manufacturing and installation of the appliance. To cure, the unit needs to run on high for 4 to 8 hours. You may need to open some windows for the first few hours
Over time there will be a white cloudy film build up on the inside of the glass. The glass door will need to be opened and cleaned. We suggest using a fireplace cleaning product for best results. When you light the gas fireplace, the glass may fog over. This will burn off in 2 to 10 minutes. Fireplaces in lower levels tend to fog more.
Optional fans come with a heat sensor. The fan will not come on for approximately 10 to 15 minutes after the fireplace is turned on. It will stay on 10 to 15 minutes after the fireplace is turned off. Glass and top louvers get very hot. The underside of the mantle and facing material get hot as well. This is normal and there is no danger of combustion.
What types of fuel can be used in my gas fireplace?
All of our gas fireplace models are approved to burn either natural gas or propane. A conversion kit is available for any of these models for either fuel. Fireplaces that are designed to consume wood, oil or gas cannot be converted to the different fuel types that are solid (wood) or liquid (oil) and gas.
Who can service my fireplace and how often should it be serviced?
Authorized dealers are identified by banners in their stores as well as listing in the telephone yellow pages. They are most often listed under "fireplaces" but are often listed under hearth shops or heating contractors. They are there to answer all of your questions, ensure that your fireplace is properly installed as well as providing a regular service program to protect your investment. The requirement of annual inspection and/or service is dictated in the National Fuel Codes for both Canada and the United States .
What should I consider when choosing a fireplace to heat my home?
Direct Vented Fireplaces can be installed almost anywhere in your home as they don't require a pre-existing chimney to vent them. They can be built into a combustible surrounding.
The size of the fireplace and the amount of space it will take up in your room
On the main floor, the overall appearance may be more important than high output.
Basements are normally colder and therefore heat output and appearance are both important.
The size of the room. High heat output models will heat a small room quickly but may, as a result be turned off more often than a lower heat output unit.
Are gas fireplaces safe?
Yes! all of our gas fireplaces must have the ability to shut off the flow of gas if there is no flame to burn it off. This is where the self generating millivolt system comes in. The millivolts energize a magnetic coil within the gas valve which holds the valve open. Should the pilot flame extinguish, the millivolts will stop generating, releasing the coil and closing the gas valve. Every Napoleon fireplace we manufacture is tested prior to shipping to ensure a 100% effective system.
What are BTU's?
BTU's (British Thermal Units) are a standard of measurement which represent the heat value of any type of energy used to create heat. The amount of fuel that a fireplace will consume per hour is calculated with the BTU value of the fuel it uses to determine the input of that fireplace. BTU values of any type of energy are determined by the actual amount of heat required to increase the temperature of one pound of water, by one degree Fahrenheit.
Will the blower increase the heat output of our fireplaces?
Yes, aside from the fact that all our fireplaces radiate heat from their fronts, there is still heat that can be withdrawn from the parts of the fireplace body that are closed in behind the wall. While there is an air channel that allows air flow around the firebox, allowing it to absorb the heat via conduction, this channel is somewhat restrictive by its size. Using a blower increases the airflow through this channel, thereby maximizing the heat being conducted from the back and sides of the fireplace.
What does zero clearance mean?
Zero clearance is a term used to describe a certain fireplace's ability to be enclosed completely by combustible building material that can be positioned right up against the body of the fireplace. That is the back, top, bottom and sides. The front area is designed to radiate heat and therefore must be given adequate clearance to combustibles. In this case, objects such as furniture, should be kept a minimum of 48" away. With the exception of our stoves and inserts, all our other models are designed, tested and approved to be installed with zero clearance to combustible framing.
What is a direct vent fireplace?
Direct vent is a term used to describe a specifically designed fireplace that performs differently from the traditionally vented fireplace which use a chimney. This type of fireplace has a completely sealed combustion chamber which allows it to vent directly out a side wall of the home. One of the benefits of this type of design is that it must draw air necessary for combustion from the outside since the sealed combustion chamber does not allow air to be drawn in from around the fireplace. The co-axial vent system has the exhaust pipe within the air intake pipe which protects any surrounding combustible material from the high temperature of the flue gases as well as preheating the outside air prior to it being introduced to the combustion process.
What is a B Vent or Natural draft gas fireplace?
These type of fireplaces do not have a sealed combustion chamber and relies on the buoyancy of hot gases to vent effectively. They must be installed either with an existing chimney that meets the local building code standards or they can be installed using a B vent which is a vent pipe that must be installed to the same parameters of a masonry chimney but can be enclosed in combustible material. They draw air (oxygen) necessary for combustion from the area surrounding the fireplace. The combustion by-products or flue gases are hot and naturally rise up through the chimney which provides a route for these hot gases to escape from the house. As the fireplace continues to vent these flue gases up the chimney, the walls of the chimney heat up, which allows the flue gases to retain more of their temperature and buoyancy thereby increasing the speed with which they exit the chimney.
There is a white film on the inside of the glass. How do I get it off and why is it there?
The film is generally caused by the mineral residue left over from burning off the gas. There are water components in gas which carry minerals. Luckily, there are specific cleaners made for cleaning fireplace glass. Do not use ammonia based products as they might cause damage or etching to the glass. To remove and clean your glass, check your owners manual or call a service technician.
What are the advantages of the direct vent fireplace?
Direct vent technology is available in single-sided or multi-sided fireplaces, as well as freestanding and insert models. They use a sealed combustion chamber that vents out the back or top, to the outside. This allows easy installation of a beautiful and realistic fireplace. The vent can be run horizontally through an outside wall, or vertically through the roof depending on your preference.
Because no room air is used for combustion, direct vents are especially efficient (up to 70% +) and will not alter the quality of your room air. All combustion air is drawn from outside the home and 100% of the combustion by-products are exhausted to the outside.
Should I shut off the pilot light in summer?
Yes, or you can safely leave it burning. The pilot helps keep the moisture from inside the firebox, which is caused from humidity in the air. It will also extend the life of the thermopile and thermocouple when the pilot is left on.
Can a blower be added to my fireplace?
Many fireplace heaters are so effective at producing both radiant and convected heat that a blower will not do a lot to improve your comfort. Blowers cannot deliver radiant heat nor will they influence air circulation much beyond the immediate area of the fireplace. Blowers are optional on most heat circulating (grilles on top and bottom of fireplace) units, and for some hearth products the blower is standard. Adding a blower is easily accomplished if power (110v AC) was provided to the electrical junction box of the fireplace at the time of initial installation. If power was not provided, a fan option is still possible, but installation is more complicated and therefore more costly.
How often do I have to clean the fireplace and vent?
Although the frequency of your fireplace servicing and maintenance will depend on use and the type of installation, you should have a qualified service technician perform an appliance check-up at the beginning of each heating season.
Whenever a film begins to build on the glass, it is recommended to use a special cleaner (Kel Kem) to clean away any residue.
Can I customize the look of my fireplace?
Yes most manufacturers provide various trim kits that allow you to customize your product's appearance.
Will my gas fireplace function without electricity?
Yes, no electricity is required to operate a gas fireplace as they operate via a millivolt valve system. During a power failure, your fireplace will be a secure source of heat.
Will my Fireplace operate during a power failure?
Yes! All of our gas fireplaces that incorporate a self generating millivolt system, operate independently from any outside electrical current. Only accessories such as blowers and some hand held remotes rely on house current for power and our fireplaces do perform effectively, even without them.
During a power failure, your fireplace will be a secure source of heat.
Do I need a chimney to vent a fireplace?
All of our wood stoves and fireplaces require a chimney, either a masonry or A vent stainless steel chimney. The diameter of the chimney must match the size of the fireplace flue collar to effectively vent the products of combustion. Consequently, an existing chimney may need to be lined with a stainless steel liner to meet venting requirements of a specific fireplace. Gas fireplaces that fall under the category of B vent or natural draft fireplaces, also require either a chimney that is lined with a flexible aluminum or stainless steel liner, or they can be vented using B vent if no chimney exists. Direct vented or vent free fireplaces do not require a traditional chimney.
What is Zone Heating and how can it save on central heating costs?
Forced air central heating systems distribute heated air from a central furnace unit through ducts to various points in the home. The furnace burners cycle on and off as often as 2-3 times per hour depending on the thermostat's setting and sensitivity. Typical furnace gas outputs range form 80,000 to 120,000 BTU/hr and are sized to heat the home in the very coldest weather. During average heating weather, furnace “on cycle” times may be relatively short with the burners shutting down before peak efficiency is even reached. This results in reduced efficiencies through “cycling losses” (like a car's mileage in stop and go traffic). Also room comfort levels fluctuate along with furnace heat cycles, sometimes warm one minute and cool the next. With central furnace systems, it's often necessary to overheat portions of the home just to get comfortable in areas you wish to spend time.
By contrast, an efficient gas fireplace zone heater puts warmth directly into the area you wish to heat with virtually no cycling losses. These gas heaters utilize special lightweight steel and ceramic components to heat up quickly and reach efficiency in minutes. With an efficient gas fireplace installed in one or more of your main living zones, you can enjoy increased comfort while reducing furnace use.
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 whether heat or aesthetics is your number one priority. If heat is your first concern, or the existing wood fireplace has a history of down drafting (smoking), you should purchase a gas insert. From an initial cost standpoint, an insert will cost more than a set of gas logs. However, since decorative gas logs are inefficient and an insert has efficiency in the 70% range, your payback on the fuel you will save is about five years. After that the insert begins saving you money.
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