FAQ

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	Frequently Asked Questions
		General I don't have a gas meter at my home or business. How do I get one? Gas Stoves Can I place my gas stove directly on my wood floors? Can I replace my old wood stove with a gas stove? Can I use an existing chimney? What are vent-free gas stoves? Are they safe? Will a Gas Stove operate during a power outage? Can I hook up Gas Stove to a wall thermostat or use a remote control? Gas Inserts Can inserts by installed into factory-built fireplaces, or just masonry fireplaces? Am I limited to a certain size of Gas Fireplace Insert? If I am not going to use an existing masonry fireplace, where else can a Gas Fireplace Insert be installed? Do I need insulation around the Gas Fireplace Insert? Can I vent the Gas Fireplace Insert into an existing chimney? Are the flue liners the same for both natural and direct vent models? Gas Fireplaces What does the term zero clearance mean? Will my direct vent gas fireplace function without electricity? How much construction is needed in installing a direct vent fireplace in my family room? Can I install a direct vent fireplace in a bedroom? Can I set my fireplace on a timer to shut off when the room reaches a certain temperature? Gas Logs How do gas logs achieve the wood-like flickering flame? What is a safety pilot? What is the difference between Vent-Free and Vented gas logs? What is an ODS (oxygen depletion sensor)? Can I install a gas log into a wood-burning stove? Can I convert my gas logs from Natural to Propane? Vented log sets come with a damper clamp, what is that? I would like to install vent-free logs but I don’t have a fireplace. Do I have to install a complete wood-burning fireplace with a chimney?
		General Q: I don't have a gas meter at my home or business. How do I get one? A: Contact Puget Sound Energy for information on gas service in your area and to schedule the installation of gas service to your home or business. 1-888-225-5773.
		Gas Stoves Q: Can I place my gas stove directly on my wood floors? A: Yes. Unlike wood stoves, gas stoves can be placed directly on a wood floor with no added heat protection. (However, if placed on carpet or linoleum, floor protection is needed.) Q: Can I replace my old wood stove with a gas stove? A: Yes. You can choose a direct vent, natural vent, or vent-free model. Q: Can I use an existing chimney? A: A natural vent stove can use the existing chimney to house a vent liner. A direct vent stove can be vented vertically, using an existing chimney as long as the direct vent pipe fits through the existing damper and flue, and as long as the pipe extends to the top of the chimney (to a maximum of 40 feet). Q: What are vent-free gas stoves? Are they safe? A: Vent-free Gas Stoves are an effective supplemental heat source. Due to their high efficiency (99.9%), no venting is required. And, yes, a vent-free gas stove is safe. A primary safety feature is an effective, time-tested devise called an Oxygen Depletion Sensor system. Q: Will a Gas Stove operate during a power outage? A: Yes. A standing pilot system generates its own power without using electricity -- and will even work if there is a power outage. Here’s how it works: A standing pilot system incorporates a thermocouple and a thermopile, sometimes both. A thermocouple is a small steel rod made of two different types of metals. In a gas appliance, a small flame constantly heats the thermocouple. This flame creates a small electrical current called millivolts. The millivolts generated from the thermocouple energize an electromagnet inside of the gas valve holding the valve open and allowing gas to flow to the burner in a gas stove or gas fireplace. As a result, the standing pilot system requires no outside electrical resource for operation. Q: Can I hook up Gas Stove to a wall thermostat or use a remote control. A: Yes. Gas Stoves (as well as Gas Inserts and Gas Fireplaces) are available in models that can include a wall-mounted thermostat or hand-held remote control. These are the most popular types of gas valves used. In fact, there are several types of valves used in our Gas Stoves (and inserts and fireplaces). Each valve carries certain operational features. Below is a brief explanation of each: Manual Operation: On/Off; no remote or wall thermostat capability Built-in Thermostat Operation: Control knob sets comfort level, cycles burner On and Off as needed. No remote or wall thermostat capability. Thermostat/Remote Capable Operation: Gas stoves have an On/Off switch on the units. Direct vent fireplaces come with a switch that can also be wall mounted. These models can use an optional hand held remote control or a wall mounted thermostat. Integrated Comfort Control System Operation: A complete remote controlled system that operates virtually everything. This system controls flame height, temperature and fan speed at multiple levels and can be operated in three different modes: AUTO, ON or OFF. There is also a countdown timer to turn "OFF" the appliance after you go to bed.
		Gas Inserts Q: Can inserts by installed into factory-built fireplaces, or just masonry fireplaces? A: Both. A Gas Fireplace Insert can be installed in an existing masonry fireplace or in a factory-built metal fireplace, or “built-in” like a conventional fireplace. (We offer a “zero-clearance” kit for this.) Q: Am I limited to a certain size of Gas Fireplace Insert? A: No. There are several sizes available in both natural vent and direct vent models. Two things determine the size: one is the dimensions of the fireplace itself, to make sure a specific insert will fit; the other is the heat output you desire. Q: If I am not going to use an existing masonry fireplace, where else can a Gas Fireplace Insert be installed? A: A roughed-in frame can be built around the respective Gas Fireplace Insert and a zero clearance kit used. This kit will allow the framing and insert to have minimum clearances to combustibles for the top and sides of the insert. Q: Do I need insulation around the Gas Fireplace Insert? A: No. The inserts are designed to have adequate space on the sides for air exchange. Correct measurement of the existing masonry fireplace is important. The insert should never be forced into a space that is too small. Q: Can I vent the Gas Fireplace Insert into an existing chimney? A: Yes. Inserts are available in natural vent and direct vent units. Flue liners are used to exhaust flue gases. We can assist and advise you which insert and vent application is required. Q: Are the flue liners the same for both natural and direct vent models? A: No. A natural vent model will have a single four-inch round vent on the top center portion of the insert. While in operation, these units will use room air for combustion and flue gases in turn rise up the single flue liner. A direct vent unit will have two three inch round vents on the top portion of the insert. One flue liner will draw fresh air in from the termination point and the adjacent second flue liner will exhaust flue gases.
		Gas Fireplaces Q: What does the term zero clearance mean? A: Zero clearance is often synonymously used to describe any factory-built fireplace. It refers to the fact that it can be installed with wooden framing directly against the metal stand-offs on the fireplace’s cabinet. Q: Will my direct vent gas fireplace function without electricity? A: Yes. No electricity is required to operate a direct vent fireplace. Direct Vent Gas Fireplaces operate via a millivolt valve system. During a power failure, your fireplace will be a secure source of heat. Q: How much construction is needed in installing a direct vent fireplace in my family room? A: A direct vent fireplace should be installed by a qualified gas technician/ installer. On an outside main floor wall, the only construction needed is a hole (about 7 - 8” wide) for the vent pipe to terminate to the outside. Q: Can I install a direct vent fireplace in a bedroom? A: Yes. Direct Vent Fireplaces are approved for bedroom installation with the use of a wall-mounted thermostat. They can be vented horizontally - directly out the back of the unit up to 20 feet, or vertically – directly from the top of the unit up to 40 feet. Q: Can I set my fireplace on a timer to shut off when the room reaches a certain temperature? A: Yes. Certain fireplaces offer models included or optional remote controls that allow you to program temperature settings.
		Gas Logs Q: How do gas logs achieve the wood-like flickering flame? A: Vented gas logs use a burner pan (which looks like a dustpan.) This is commonly called a “sandpan” burner because the burner pan is filled with silica sand or vermiculite. Since the burner tube is under the sand, when the fire is burning, the flame flows through the sand giving a very natural, realistic dancing flame. Q: What is a safety pilot? A: A safety pilot is either a manual or remote controlled gas valve designed to shut off the gas supply if the pilot flame is extinguished. Q: What is the difference between Vent-Free and Vented gas logs? A: Vent-Free logs are designed to be room heaters. Unlike vented log sets, with Vent-Free you can keep your damper closed and force the heat into the room rather than letting it go out the chimney. Q: What is an ODS (oxygen depletion sensor)? A: An ODS is a sophisticated standing pilot system, standard on all vent-free logs. The ODS will shut off the log set if the oxygen level in the room falls below 18%. Normal oxygen levels in a room are around 21%. Oxygen depletion sensors have been used for over 40 years with a 100% safety record therefore making them a very safe and reliable system. Q: Can I install a gas log into a wood-burning stove? A: No. Q: Can I convert my gas logs from Natural to Propane? A: Some log sets can be converted using a different pilot safety kit. Vent-free logs set come as a specific model for Natural or Propane. Q: Vented log sets come with a damper clamp, what is that? A: A damper clamp is just as it sounds. It should be clamped on the damper blade to keep the fireplace damper from being fully closed. This is for a safety pilot. If a safety pilot is burning but the logs are not, the damper clamp allows for the gasses from the safety pilot to escape out of the chimney and not into the room. Q: I would like to install vent-free logs but I don’t have a fireplace. Do I have to install a complete wood-burning fireplace with a chimney? A: No. We sell a vent-free firebox. If you are only interested in a vent-free log set you can install this firebox and not worry about a chimney system.

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