Fireplace FAQ’s
Ethanol Fireplace FAQs
What is ethanol?
Ethanol is a liquid alcohol, produced by the fermentation of sugars originating from agricultural products; corn, wheat, sugarcane, potatoes etc.
Does it heat a room?
Yes, it will help to heat an area up to 375 square feet. Mostly it will take the chill off and create a wonderful ambiance. There is no chimney; it is 100% heat efficient.
How do I start it?
Simply pour the ethanol into the measuring cup provided and then put the desired amount into the reservoir. Dip prongs of controller tool into ethanol, light moistened prongs and transfer to the reservoir.
How do I turn it off?
Take the controller tool and slide the cover of reservoir closed.
How long does it burn?
One liter burns approximately 2-3 hours.
Can I place it anywhere in the house?
Yes, you can easily place it in any room that is 215 sq. ft. or larger. They are ideal for condos and apartments also!
How easy are they to install?
Attached the mounting bar to your wall, attach the fireplace body onto mounting bar and install the burner reservoir.
Is there a smell or toxic fumes?
There is a faint odor at start up, but once the fuel is burning there is no noticeable smell. The ethanol burns to water vapor and carbon dioxide resulting in a clean emission.
Natural Gas or Propane Fireplace FAQs
What is a direct vent fireplace?
A direct vent fireplace has a pipe inside of a pipe (coaxial), designed to draw combustion air from the outside through the exterior pipe and exhaust the combustion gases to the outside through the interior pipe. This is called a balanced flue system which means it can vent straight out an exterior wall, no vertical chimney is required.
What is a fireplace insert?
This type of fireplace is designed to be installed into an existing wood-burning fireplace utilizing the existing chimney. The gas burner & logs are contained in a metal box that fits into your fireplace opening and a liner goes up your chimney.
What does zero clearance mean?
Zero clearance means that combustible materials (framing etc) can be placed directly against top, bottom & sides of the fireplace. This type of fireplace is great for new construction or renovation projects where there is no existing fireplace.
*Always check installation manual as some are zero clearance fireplaces have special requirements.
What is a BTU?
British Thermal Unit (BTU) is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1lb of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit. It is useful for comparing the energy input & output of various fireplaces.
What does input & output mean?
Input is the amount of fuel energy the fireplace will consume in one hour. The output is how much heat you are getting into the room. The difference between the two numbers is the heat lost through exhaust.
How much propane or natural gas will I use?
If you are looking at a propane fireplace with an input of 24,000 BTUS you would burn about one litre of propane in an hour on high. (24,245 BTUS in one litre of propane).
If you are looking at a natural gas fireplace with an input of 35,000 BTUS you would burn one cubic metre of gas in an hour on high. (35,310 BTUS in one cubic metre of gas)
Check with your fuel suppliers for pricing.
What is the difference between tempered glass & ceramic glass?
Tempered glass reflects the heat and doesn’t take high temperatures, whereas ceramic glass allows the heat to radiate through. Ceramic glass radiates more heat than steel or cart iron!
Are gas or propane fireplaces safe? What if the pilot goes out by accident?
Safety features are built into every unit sold in Canada. If the pilot light gets blown out, the gas valve blocks the flow of gas to the fireplace within 90 seconds. A licensed gas fitter must install these fireplaces.
Will my gas/propane fireplace work in a power failure?
If your fireplace has a standing pilot it does not require electricity to run, then it will work fine but the fan will not work. If you have an electronic ignition pilot then you will have to check your manual as some of these models have battery backup to allow operation in power failures.
Wood Fireplace FAQs
What is a fireplace insert?
A fireplace insert is an airtight metal firebox that is designed to be inserted into an existing fireplace making the fireplace more energy efficient. A wood insert is vented using a stainless steel liner up the existing chimney.
What is a factory built or zero clearance fireplace?
This type of fireplace is perfect for new construction or renovation. These fireplaces are insulated metal “boxes” that can be built around to resemble masonry fireplaces without the costly foundation work.
What is a cord of wood?
A full cord of firewood measures 4’ x 8’ x 4’. Many firewood dealers sell “face” cords which measure 16” x 8’ x 4’ (3 face cords = 1 full cord)
What does EPA certified mean?
An EPA certified appliance complies with strict emissions & efficiency regulations designed to reduce pollution and control energy costs. The EPA certification is your guarantee that the stove you are buying will burn cleanly and efficiently, reducing your heating costs and protecting the air we breathe.
What is an advanced combustion or high efficiency stove or fireplace?
Newer appliances with these designations have the following characteristics:
- Firebox insulation to keep temperatures high
- Preheated secondary combustion air that is fed to the fire through small holes at the top of the firebox to ignite the smoke & gases OR catalytic combustor
- Internal baffles to slow the exit of flue gases so that they can burn completely
What are the benefits of these stoves/fireplaces?
- Save on wood, these stoves use up to 1/3 less wood
- More controllable heat, evens out temperatures better
- Long burn times, you load your stove less often
- Less pollution in the air, because you are burning the smoke & gases not sending them up the chimney
What is the difference between radiant & convection heat?
Radiant heat is the direct transfer of heat from the hot stove surfaces to walls, furniture and people that are in a direct line of sight from the stove. Radiant heat will make you feel warm, even though the air around you is cool. Great for high ceilings or drafty homes.
Convection is the transfer of heat through the motion of air. This type of woodstove has an outer casing around the body of the stove, usually made of sheet metal. Heat from the stove creates a current of air and the heat is delivered to the room as warmed air.
Should I operate my stove differently in cold versus warm weather?
Yes. During warmer weather, spring & fall, control your heat by limiting the amount of wood you put in the firebox. Make short, hot fires using softwood or finely split hardwood and let the fire burn out. Avoid the temptation of building a big fire and then starving it for air. You do not want a smoldering fire.
In cold winter weather just add more hardwood for more heat. Hardwood provides a longer lasting fire for those cold nights.
Heating & Cooling Systems