Expert: James Ball - 5/22/2009

Question
I recently purchased a home with a natural gas fireplace. When I use it, it does not seem to throw off any heat. I have used wood burning stoves before and expected the same type of heat form my fireplace. AM I doing something wrong?

Answer
Hello Laura, 1st a fireplace will never "throw off heat" like a wood stove, 2nd a gas fire place will not "throw off" ad much heat as a wood fire. 3rd a natural gas logs are purely decorative no real heat.
but you might get some more out if it if you close the damper down (this should have a stop to keep it from closing all the way if not get one from your local wood stove store.) that might keep less heat from going up the chimney.
if you are looking to heat then look into a gas stove (I have one and I love it)
James