Things to Know About A Gas Log

A fireplace is a great thing to have in a house. It provides warmth which is very important in cold seasons and also gives the interior an aesthetic appeal. 

For someone looking to sell a house, having a good fireplace will raise the value of your property. Technology has made it possible to develop modern hearths that are more efficient in terms of consumption and emissions. 

They use gas logs in place of real logs and so they are operated in a different manner. Here is more about the topic. You can also checkout Watson’s gas logs for fireplace to learn more.

What is a gas log?

As the name suggests, it is a log that has been designed in such a way that gas passes through it to produce flames when ignited. It is different from a real log in that it is not actual wood. It is made using ceramics. 

The fuel is supplied via pipes passing through the log and emitted via the holes. This is controlled using a burner kit which is a system containing equipment such as valves and burners. 

Other items such as stones and lava rocks can also be included in the fireplace for decoration purposes. Although the items used are not the same that were being used in traditional hearths, when properly designed it bears much resemblance to the actual thing.

How is it better than the actual traditional hearths?

• It is efficient

Efficiency is a major consideration in all systems. If the system is inefficient then it’s just not worth implementing. 

The use of artificial materials makes the fireplace more efficient because it uses gas as the source of energy and this can be easily controlled. You can regulate the warmth produced by adjusting the valve and other settings. 

This is as opposed to the use of firewood. Once the wood starts burning you will have to wait until it burns completely even if you no longer require the warmth. Thus the artificial one helps to preserve energy by reducing overall consumption.

• It is eco-friendly

The fact that the logs used are artificial and not cut from trees makes it an eco-friendly solution. 

Deforestation is one of the major causes of environmental degradation and so minimizing it helps in conserving the environment. Moreover, the burning process of the fuel does not produce fumes. 

This means that your fireplace will remain clean and the issue of air-pollution also won’t be of concern. Read here for more https://homeimprovement.lovetoknow.com/Installing_Gas_Fireplaces 

• It is customizable

There are a lot of ways that you can customize your fireplace to bring out your style and the look that your desire. Furthermore, it gives you the freedom to adjust the configurations as per your liking to satisfy your needs. This wouldn’t be possible with the traditional ones that use actual wood hence have limited flexibility.

• It is child-proof

One of the risks of having a fireplace is that a child might end up getting burnt if they are not properly supervised. This is not an issue of great concern in modern hearths since they are usually sealed-off using an insulated glass. 

What are some of the problems associated with it?

• Gas leak

If it malfunctions or is not operated properly the gas might leak hence becoming a hazard. To reduce the risks of such an occurrence the system is designed in such a way that it is automatically turned off when there is no flame.

• Lots of maintenance needs

To avoid issues that might lead to gas leaks and other hazards it is good to ensure that the system is well-maintained. Be sure to conduct regular cleaning and routine inspections. Click here to read more.

Vented or ventless?

The former has a chimney through which any fumes or smell produced can escape through while the latter doesn’t. 

While the vent helps to provide an odor-free fireplace it also results in heat loss hence lowering the efficiency of the system. The downside of the ventless one is that it can reduce the amount of oxygen available indoors to low levels since it burns for a long time hence utilizing lots of oxygen. 

It comes with an oxygen sensor that helps to detect when this happens and a mechanism to shut it down. The burning process can also result in increased humidity.

Conclusion

Gas logs play a key role in promoting the efficiency of a fireplace. They make it easy to regulate energy consumption thus making it possible to conserve energy by using it sparingly. It also promotes environmental conservation by eliminating the use of firewood for such purposes. Besides that, it is adaptable to a wide range of decorations. Even though it is a great option it still poses some risks like the possibility of a gas leak and toddlers getting burnt. A tamper-proof glass can be used to prevent children from getting hurt. Routine inspections and proper maintenance aids in reducing the risk of leaks and other faults.