We want to convert our wood burning fire place to natural gas. Natural gas service is readily available in our home as we use gas for our stove. How do we do it and who do we call?
Even though I’m a do-it-yourself proponent, this is definitely one area where you DON’T want to do it yourself! Gas piping, improperly installed, can have explosive consequences.
Secondly, if you want to install a gas burner into a formerly wood burning fire place, I hope that you are independently wealthy. These burners are huge energy wasters. Some burn as much gas as the furnace or boiler that heats you entire house. Also, they pose a large risk of carbon monoxide poisoning as they do not do a good job of fully combusting the gas. And, they produce tons of moisture. Gas, after it burns, is 80% water vapor and very corrosive to the inside of chimney.
My advice is to stick with the wood, or install a wood stove insert into the brick fireplace, which will increase its efficiency.
I am extremely happy with my wood burning insert. It has a blower and while it is the smallest insert available it does an amazing job at heating most of my house. Almost 75 degrees in the room and 65 on the second floor. My neighbor installed a gas insert and spent hundreds on the first month’s gas. I spend about $250 on a cord of wood and burn it all winter!
what about the 100% fire logs that do not need a flue? Is that included in your assesssment of gas logs?