As a consumer, you want to choose the best gas logs to keep your home warm even during cooler days. However, you may think that “all gas logs look the same” and “you might buy the wrong ones and won't be able to use it”. Hence, before you go shopping for gas fireplace logs, you must understand the different considerations enabling you to pick the right one for you and your family.
You need to consider the gas that you like. Are you comfortable with natural gas? Or you refer liquid propane? Both of these gasses have advantage and disadvantages.
Natural Gas
It is cheaper than propane gas. It is also lighter than air and dissipates into atmosphere after combustion. However, it must be hard-piped to an appliance that already uses gas service lines. And, natural gas service may not be available on your area.
Liquid Propane
It contains more carbon dioxide and burns nearly three times hotter than natural gas. It can stand alone which means it doesn't need any appliance to function. However, it can be more expensive and will require installation of a tank outside your house. You will also be in contract with a propane dealer to refill the tank.
After choosing the gas that you want to use, it's time to choose what gas logs you want. Would you choose vented gas logs over ventless gas logs? Vented gas logs burn with a yellowish flame that resemble like a wood-burning fireplace with the damper in the open position. The heat produced by vented gas logs goes up the chimney. Un-vented or vent-free gas logs are used in a regular wood-burning fireplace but the heat it produces will go into the room especially if the damper is closed.
What other important factors should you consider?
- Size Matters. When you buy gas logs make sure that it will fit into your fireplace. Log sets has fireplace dimensions assigned to it which are listed on its carton (if you can't see it, ask the seller). Gas logs fall in to different categories that are (considerably) their sizes: 18”, 24”, 30” & 36”. Don't get too big or too small logs set. Fitting correctly is also important because of safety reasons. Therefore, you have to measure the width, depth and height of the opening of your fireplace.
- Control Type. It refers to the control system of the gas logs. You can choose manually controlled, thermostatically controlled or remote controlled gas logs set. Manually controlled gas logs compel you to turn on/off the set whenever you are using it. Thermostatically (T-Stat) Controlled models turns on or off based on heat setting you made. Lastly, you can opt for remote controlled gas logs that functions like a TV set where you have a remote control and you can easily turn it on or off.
- BTU. It stands for British Thermal Units, a standard measurement of the amount of energy contained in any fuel that is released per hour when it is burned. The choice of BTU for logs set will depend on the space of the room. For example, 10000 BTU will heat about 350 sq feet while 40000 BTU will heat about 1400 sq. feet. You can use Gas Log BTU Calculator to ensure that you are buying the right gas logs for your home.
With this guide, you must be able to buy the right set of gas logs that will keep your cool days warmer.
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