|
|
||
|
Decor and Living Inc.'s List of Frequently Asked Questions
- Will a Gas
Fireplace operate during a power failure? Yes! All of our gas fireplaces incorporate
a self-generating millivolt system that operates 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
will perform effectively even without those accessories.
- What are
BTUs? BTUs
(British Thermal Units) are a standard of measurement which represents 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 Farenheit.
- How much
fuel do fireplaces consume and how much do they cost to operate? This
is easily calculated provided that you have the local price of the fuel to
be used. 1 cubic foot of natural gas will produce *1000BTU per hour, 1
litre of propane will produce *29,059 BTU per hour and 1 US Gallon will
produce *110,000 BTU per hour. (*values may vary slightly, depending on
location) The BTU of the fireplace is divided by the BTU value of the fuel
to determine the amount of fuel consumed per hour. Example: A natural gas
fireplace that has an input of 30,000 BTU per hour consumes 30,000 / 1000
= 30 cubic feet/hour. If the price of natural gas is .35 cents ($0.0035)
per cubic foot then 30 cubic feet x .35 = 10.5 cents ($0.105). Therefore
the cost of operating one of our 30,000 BTU Natural Gas Fireplaces such as
the new GDS28 Gas Stove for one hour is 10.5 cents.
- What is
radiant heat?
Radiant heat is transmitted from a heat source via
rays just like rays of sunlight. These rays pass through the air without
heating it since only solid objects can absorb the heat they transmit.
Dark colours absorb more radiant heat than lighter colours which reflect more
of it. This is why light coloured clothing is cooler than dark coloured
clothing. All our Napoleon Fireplaces are designed to generate radiant
heat into your living room.
- 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.
6. What are my Gas Burning Options? There are four types of natural gas fireplaces to consider for your home:
- Fireplace
Inserts -- A convenient and affordable way to convert your existing
wood–burning fireplace to natural gas. Inserts fit into your existing
fireplace and use your home's existing chimney. There are two types
of inserts, one-pipe and two-pipe systems. The two-pipe system is
actually a direct vent unit. It is useful when there is evidence of
draft problems. The direct vent insert is sealed from the room in
which it is situated and draws all of its combustion air from
outside. Direct vent inserts tend to be more efficient.
- Direct
Vent Fireplaces -- The ideal solution for homes that do not have an existing
chimney. These are sealed units that draw outside air in and they don't
need a chimney or a flue.
- Free
Standing Fireplaces -- This can be installed almost anywhere in your home, often
with little or no renovation needed. Free standing fireplaces are an
attractive option for homes with or without a chimney, as they come with
many venting options.
- Natural
Gas Logs -- These sets are an easy way to turn your existing fireplace
into a clean and convenient natural gas fireplace, one that is easy to
use and beautiful. Gas logs look like a real fire because they are
molded from actual pieces of wood and placed on a glowing coal bed, made
of sand and bits of rock wool and lava rock. With natural gas logs
you have to keep in mind that since the damper needs to be permanently
fixed in the open position that it is highly recommended that you have
tight-sealing glass doors to prevent unwanted drafts.
To keep your new natural gas fireplace working
safely and efficiently have it serviced every year by your local, licensed
HVAC technician, a service available from Decor and
Living Inc..
- What are
some Gas Burning Safety Tips?
- Review the manufacturer's instructions for
maintenance and use.
- Never leave children unattended near a gas
fireplace.
- Use a screen or protective barrier to
ensure young children cannot touch the glass.
- Do not place flammable materials near the
fireplace.
- If the pilot light or flame goes out,
follow the lighting instructions in the manufacturer's instructions.
- Ensure that your fireplace is turned
completely off when not in use.
- Never wipe the glass of a hot fireplace
with a damp cloth. It could cause the glass to crack.
- Never use a fireplace with cracked glass
until it has been inspected and/or replaced by a qualified HVAC
technician, another service available from Decor and Living
Inc..
Download Enbridge's Free Brochure on Homeowner's Guide to Maintenance for A Natural Gas Fireplace