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Chimney & Fireplaces/Wood burning to gas log chimney size

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Expert: - 1/26/2008


Question
We have a 2 sided fireplace that we recently converted to a gas log (Propane). As a wood burning fireplace it would heat Quite well. Since the switch, we have noticed a major drop in the heat production .It is a 2sided fire place with glass doors on both sides. also has a fan unit to blow the heat into the room. it also has an insulated metal chimney I believe to be 8in diameter?. Most gas heaters I've seen run about a 4in chimney . Could all the heat just be going up the chimney If so any suggestions on how to remedy this problem

Answer
Dan,

It sounds like you have a see through, factory built fireplace, designed to burn either wood or gas (always check the manufactures installation and operating instructions). If that is the case, gas fire will not produce the same level of heat provided by burning certain kinds of wood. You are limited with the gas log to the amount of fuel supplyed to the firebox. Check with the manufacture of the fireplace and find out the largest gas log appliance you can install, also check your gas preasure, it may be undersized. Good luck.

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Volunteer

Randy Brooks

Expertise

Inspection of Masonry, Pre-cast Tilt-up, and Factory Built Fireplaces as well as Free Standing & Insert, Gas, and Wood Appliances. We also provide Hearth Fire Loss Investigations, Litigation Support, Consulting Services, Flue Sweeping, Installation and Repair. Additionally, I’ve been a chimney sweep for 23 years, service and install hearth appliances as well as being recognized by the Superior Court of California as an expert witness.

Experience

Brooks Chimney Sweeping Since 1989 Ojai, CA Owner / President www.brooks-hearth.com

Organizations
NCSG, MEMBER,(National Chimney Sweep Guild), Member since 1990, Board of Directors representing Region 6, (CA, NV, AZ, UT, OR, WA, ID, WY, MT, AK and HI,) 2004-2011, ethics committee chair, 2004-2005, executive committee member, Vice President, 2006-2008, President, 2008-2011. CSIA, BOD (Chimney Safety Institute of America,) Board of Directors, ethics committee chair, 2004-2005, executive committee member, Secretary, 2005-2006, Vice President, 2006-2008, President, 2008-2011. HPBA, MEMBER, (Hearth, Patio, & BBQ Association,) since 2002. NFPA Member, (National Fire Protection Association) Since 2009. Technical Committee member for the 211 Standard.

Education/Credentials
California State Licensed Contractor, C61-D34, #750710. http://www2.cslb.ca.gov C.S.I.A., (Chimney Safety Institute of America,) Certified Chimney Sweep, #2580. Held since 1990 re-certified in ‘93, ‘96, ‘99, ‘02, ‘05, '08,'11. http://www.csia.org F.I.R.E. (Fireplace Investigation, Research & Education Service,) Certified Inspector, #FP-006. Held since 2000, re-certified in ’03, ‘06. http://www.f-i-r-e-service.com Fireplace Investigation, Research & Education Service,) Advance Expert Consulting & Witness, certificate, ’05 N.F.I. (National Fireplace Institute,) Certified Gas & Wood-Burning Specialist, #133851. Held since 2002, re-certified in '05,‘08. http://nficertified.org

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