A Buying Guide for Gas Insert Installations
If you’re considering a gas insert, you know that they are attractive and can add warmth and ambiance to your home. But here’s the thing: not all inserts are created equal. With the weather in Buffalo, NY, hitting freezing temperatures in winter, this is the perfect time to purchase a gas insert. Read on for more information before you consider a gas insert installation in Buffalo, NY.
The Right-Sized Insert
The first thing you’ll need to do is make sure you have a fireplace that can accommodate the size of gas insert you wish to install. If your firebox is too small, the insert won’t fit, and if it’s too large, it may not look right in your home. One way to get around this issue is by choosing an insert with a modular design that allows for installation flexibility; however, most inserts are manufactured with standard dimensions that should fit most fireplaces.
The Right Venting
Venting is an important part of installing a gas fireplace. It’s important for safety reasons, but it can also help you avoid having to clean soot from your walls and ceiling. Incorrect venting is the cause of over 13% of all fireplace-related emergencies in Buffalo, NY. While venting may seem complicated, with the right information, it’s not as complicated as it looks.
- Vents: You need to vent the insert, chimney, and damper separately. Installers typically recommend that all three be vented within six inches of one another on the same wall.
- Flue: The flue directs gas fumes up above your roofline (and away from any air intakes) so that they enter into a chimney instead of going into your home’s interior air supply—therefore making sure that no harmful fumes are released inside your home or garage area where children play.
The Right Features
A gas insert can be used as a supplemental heat source or replace your existing wood-burning fireplace. As such, it’s important to understand the differences between the two types so you can make an informed decision about what kind of fireplace you want.
A gas insert installation in Buffalo, NY, is more efficient than wood-burning fireplaces and safer for your home. A gas insert’s efficiency comes from its ability to store energy inside its steel shell, which can be released quickly once needed. This is different from a wood-burning fireplace, which must draw air through tubes to burn efficiently; this takes time and energy away from heating your home effectively because it uses oxygen that would otherwise be available for combustion purposes (i.e., heating). Additionally, because they have no open flames or exposed materials like logs that could catch on fire if not properly cared for (or even accidentally knocked over), gas inserts are considered safer than wood-burning ones overall despite having much higher BTU ratings.
Benefits of Gas Inserts
There are many benefits to gas inserts. One of the most significant is that they do not require electricity, which means you can use them anywhere and don’t need to worry about running wires or having access to an outlet. They also don’t need a chimney or ventilation system since the heat is produced by burning natural gas or propane. NY electricity prices are relatively pricey, and gas inserts can help you save money on energy bills!
Another benefit is that you can use a gas insert with other fuel sources as well, making it easy for you to switch between fuels depending on what’s available in your area. If you want an indoor fireplace with an electric starter, this should work well for your needs!
Manual or Remote Control
When looking for a gas insert, it’s important to consider whether you want to use remote control.
Remote controls are helpful for anyone who doesn’t want to get up from their couch or favorite chair to turn on the insert. If you have a remote control, you can turn the insert on and off from anywhere in the room, so you don’t even have to walk over to it if it’s right next to where you’re sitting! You can also control its temperature with these remotes—which is good news if your space gets cold quickly but doesn’t heat up as fast.
