Making Fireplaces Functional
We have several fireplaces in our b’stone which we are interested in making functional – gas, not wood-burning. Does anyone have any idea of what the process is to make this happen? How long does it take? Any idea on the cost? Also, there are 3 in our owner’s duplex and 4 in the rental…
We have several fireplaces in our b’stone which we are interested in making functional – gas, not wood-burning. Does anyone have any idea of what the process is to make this happen? How long does it take? Any idea on the cost? Also, there are 3 in our owner’s duplex and 4 in the rental duplex – we only want ours to work.
Thanks, brownstoners.
As with everything else, denton, it comes from China.
Actually the US is the largest producer of clean coal in the world. BTU and BNI are the plays on coal.
dibs, can you actually get coal delivered anymore?
Well, dibs, we agree. There is indeed a difference between “code” and “acceptable levels of safety”…if a Viking stove could run 60kbtu for several hours w/o venting why not a fireplace at 1/4 that? Put a CO detector near the fireplace and rest easy.
I’m sure they are illegal. So is cheating on your income tax and putting that stray bottle in the trash instead of recycling it. I’m only talking about what may or may not actually be dangerous. And the CO readings on this are what they would be with the gas range on in the kitchen.
If you want to pull the permits and spend $8-20,000 to reline the ireplace go right ahead. The setup I spoke about in Philly was illegal too. It was installed after the construction was inspected and signed off on. These guys were the most respected fireplace restorers in all of eastern PA.
DIBS: I have been told that unvented gas fireplaces are illegal in New York. Also, that when vented, the stack must rise up so many feet above or away from the building. Is this untrue? I would love to put in a gas fireplace like yours.
This is the actual cover I bought…
http://www.urbanremainschicago.com/item.aspx?itemID=964
I installed them myself. I had my plumber run the gas line to the fireplace. Put a shut off valve in the basement and at the fireplace.
I ordered it directly. The fireplace is a square box. I completely removed the Summer cover and its frame and replaced it with the facade of an insert (not the whole firebox that’s attached to the back, just the frontpiece) like this…
http://www.urbanremainschicago.com/item.aspx?itemID=1415
The coal burner fits well inside the firebox and the gilded insert cover pictured above covers up the bottom so you don’t see the “guts” and control knobs. You just see the top of the coals and the flame.
Dave- Some questions on that install.
Who did your installation?
Did you order direct from that company, or did your installer do it.
Do you have the round top mantles, and do the inserts fit well within them?
Thinking of putting these in our frame- we are detached on the fireplace side, so these would do a nice direct vent.
Go for what Dave said!