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A
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AFUE
Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, a
testing standard for rating heating appliances.
B
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British Thermal Unit (BTU)
The quantity of heat required to raise
the temperature of one pound of fresh water one degree F. Used to gauge
the heating capacity of all heating appliances.
Burner
The essential part of a gas appliance,
where the air and gas combine before the combustion phase.
Burner Pan
Used with gas log sets, the burner pan
is a metal tray (shaped like a dustpan) that holds sand or vermiculite
and a burner tube.
B Vent
Double-wall galvanized metal outer pipe
with an aluminum inner. Used for naturally vented gas appliances.
C
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Ceramic Burner
An exclusive feature of Vermont
Castings gas stoves and fireplaces, which creates the most wood-like
flame and offers unmatched durability.
Ceramic Fiber
A material used to make gas logs. The
ceramic material is able to withstand very high temperatures, and can be
designed to feature a red-glow when heated.
Chimney
A portion of the venting system,
through which flue gases are vented to the outdoors.
Clearances
A minimum distance, composed only of an
air space, that must be maintained between a heat source such as an
appliance or vent and combustible surfaces.
Combustion Air
Since a fire needs oxygen, this term
refers to the air introduced into an appliance to aid the combustion of
fuel.
Combustible Material
Any burnable material that is
susceptible to high temperatures and risk of burning (i.e. drywall,
wood, paper, etc.)
Convection Heat
Heat by moving heated air. Often aided
by fans.
D
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Damper
A valve, usually a moveable metal
plate, for controlling the flow of air or smoke and draft. Found in wood
stoves and fireplaces.
Decorative Gas Appliance
A vented gas appliance whose primary
function is aesthetic, not heat producing.
Direct Vent
A sealed combustion system where all
combustion air is supplied from the building exterior, and all flue
gases are returned to the outside. No inside air is used for combustion.
Often consists of a two-part co-axial pipe, one fitting inside the
other. The incoming combustion air enters through an outer pipe, and the
exhaust gases exit through the inner pipe. In some cases (like fireplace
insert applications through a fireplace damper) co-linear pipes, meaning
side-by-side, are used.
Draft
The difference in air pressure at the
same elevation between the inside and the outside of a chimney, chimney
connector, or appliance. The term draft is sometimes used to denote the
rate of combustion airflow into a fuel burning appliance, or the rate of
flue gas flow. Draft is a critical component of stove or fireplace
performance.
F
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Factory-built Fireplace
A prefabricated metal fireplace,
considerably easier to install and more economical. Commonly called
zero-clearance fireplaces.
Fireplace
Any enclosure, open in the front, for
burning fuel. Wood burning fireplaces may either burn wood or be fitted
with gas logs, or certain fireplace inserts. Gas fireplaces contain a
burner apparatus and artificial logs.
Fireplace Insert
Wood or gas appliance designed to be
installed partially or fully into the firebox of an existing masonry or
factory-built fireplace, and which vents into the fireplace chimney.
Flex Connector
A vent liner that can be stretched and
fitted between gas appliance and termination point. A common application
is for connecting a stove or insert through a damper into the chimney.
G
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Gas Logs
Used in existing fireplaces, gas logs
sets, which consist of cement or ceramic fiber logs and a gas burner,
are an economical way to add a gas fire to a home.
Grate
A steel bar container which elevates
wood or gas logs off the floor of the fire box.
H
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Hearth Extension
Non-combustible floor protection
extension beyond the opening of a fireplace or stove.
Heat Exchanger
Often incorporated in the upper parts
of a stove or fireplace, it absorbs and radiates additional heat from
either a wood or gas fire.
Heat Shields
Refers to a non-combustible protector
used around appliances, or chimney connector, to reduce clearances.
L
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LP
Liquid petroleum, often called propane,
a fuel for gas appliances.
M
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Mantel
A shelf over and above the fireplace
opening. Wood, cast iron, brick, stone may be used.
Millivolt (mV)
Unit of electricity (equal to one
one-thousand of a volt direct current), that in conjunction with the
pilot flame, operates the valve on certain gas appliances.
N
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Natural Vent
A venting method by which the exhaust
from a gas fire “naturally” rises up a flue.
Natural Gas (NG)
A fuel used in gas burning appliances.
North America’s most prevalent fuel for home heating.
Negative Pressure
Condition in a building where the
inside pressure is less than the outside pressure. This is often caused
by kitchen fans that draw inside air out of the house, and it can effect
stove or fireplace performance.
Non-Combustible Material
Any material that is not susceptible to
burning at high temperatures (i.e. slate, ceramic tile, etc.)
O
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Outside Air Control
A lever that will open or close a fresh
air supply on a fireplace or stove.
Oxygen Depletion Sensor
A device used with all vent free
stoves, fireplaces and logs that shuts the heater off if the oxygen
level in the room reaches 18%.
P
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Piezo
An ignitor used to light standing
pilots or burners without the use of a match. A button is depressed and
delivers a blue spark, which ignites the incoming gas.
Pilot
A small flame used to ignite the gas at
the main burner. May be standing (constantly burning) or intermittent
(on demand for heat).
Propane
A term commonly used for LP gas.
R
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Radiant Heat
A kind of heat, by which objects are
heated (and not the air around them).
S
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Silica Sand
A very fine white sand used with
natural gas log sets. Gas ignites while passing through it, giving the
flame its desired flickering effect.
Standing Pilot
Small flame used to ignite a burner.
T
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Termination
A vent or chimney cap that exhausts
flue gases.
Thermocouple
Two dissimilar metals, which, when
heated, produce a small electrical charge called millivolts. Situated
near the pilot of gas appliances.
Thermopile
A pile of thermocouples, which when
heated, produce a small DC current (also called a thermogenerator). A
thermopile produces more current than a thermocouple.
V
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Vermiculite
A lightweight material used with
propane gas logs. Gas ignites while passing through it, giving the flame
its desired flickering effect.
Vent Free Heater
A gas heater that does not require a
flue system.
Z
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Zero Clearance
A term often used to generically
describe all factory-built fireplaces. The terms refers to a quality of
a factory built metal fireplace whereby enough insulation is
incorporated so that the base, back, and in some cases sides, can safely
be placed in direct contact (zero clearance) with combustible floors and
walls.
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