What kind of gas logs do i have

Before we get into anything else, it is important to find out what type of gas fireplace you have. Most gas fireplaces in the same category function the same way. Also, many gas fireplaces use the exact same components, but just have a different brand name on the front. If you still have the owners manual, it should tell you if it is either a direct or natural vented appliance.

Because of this, that are some rules of thumb we can follow. In general, if your fireplace has a sealed single-pane of glass on the front of it where it requires clamps or screws to be removed to access the area where the flame usually is , you have a DIRECT VENT fireplace:. Conversely, if you have Bi-Fold type doors, or the fire is open to the room, you have a Natural, B-Vented, or vent free unit. These types of fireplaces rely on natural draft, a process that involves creating an updraft in the chimney by heating it up.

These will use air from inside your home to fuel the fire. There is another way to determine this as well. Most fireplaces have a rating plate that looks something like this:. It will tell you the brand and model number, which you usually do a quick Google search and find out what type of fireplace it is. The make and model of the fireplace is essential to know if you ever need to order replacement parts. The rating plate can be located in many places:.

Most commonly, underneath the lower louver of the appliance in most direct vent fireplaces :. On the upper baffle of the fireplace in natural drafted fireplaces :. Feel free to view the video below to help assist you in finding the make and model of your fireplace:. Sometimes, your fireplace may have been a wood burning fireplace that has been converted to gas by adding a gas log insert to it.

In this case you may not have a rating plate, or the rating plate will tell you that it is a wood burning fireplace. All gas log inserts are considered Natural Vented appliances. This type of fireplace will fall into two categories:. If you are choosing gas fire products for an existing fireplace, check to see which venting system is currently in place.

If you are choosing fireplace products for a new fireplace consider the differences between these two options. This simple measuring process will help you choose the right size. But to get a good idea, follow the steps below. Match Light This option is for natural gas only. There is no pilot, only the logs and burner. Your fire is lighted by placing a match or lighter near the burner, then turning on the gas with your key valve. You control your flame height using your key valve which is normally located outside the fireplace either in the wall or floor.

This system has a safety pilot that is manually lighted and stays lit all the time. Also called a standing pilot, it is similar to a pilot found in a water heater. Submitted by: Owen O. The only difference would be at the end of the season when the gas is shut off completely. Only then may a damper be fully-closed. Submitted by: Will M.

Jennifer S. How do I decide between a 24" and 30" vented log when both will fit in my fireplace? Are these units placed more to the front of the fireplace? Each model of gas log set is unique and will list in its installation manual the minimum required dimensions of the space it can be placed in.

Log sets are most commonly centered both front to back and left to right within the space they are placed. The "rear width" requirement in most manufacturers literature usually refers to the width required at the depth given -- there is no requirement that the log set be placed against the actual rear of the firebox.

When both a large or smaller set will physically fit, the choice becomes an aesthetic one. While some people like to maximize the view of the "art," others find larger sets to look artificially big compared to traditional split real wood. Submitted by: Cortney O. Sign Up for our Newsletter.

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