| Author |
Message |
    
NRL
Citizen
Username: Nrl
Post Number: 502
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 9:17 pm: |     |
We are thinking of converting to gas.
Please share your experiences, installation, BTU's, manual knob or remote control? satisfaction with your conversion and where you purchased your log set. What about the log sets sold at HD? Any experiences with them?? They all seem to be on sale now.
Thanks in advance |
LilLB
Citizen
Username: Lillb
Post Number: 137
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 9:08 am: | |
We didn't have a wood-burning fireplace, it already had a gas line, but no flue... Anyway, we had a flue added and installed a new gas log unit. We got it as Summit Fireplace Centre 908-273-3273. I would highly recommend them. Don't know about BTUs, but Diane, one of the owners of the place talked to us about the remote v. manual knob, and we opted for manual knob. She said she has had so many reports from people that the remote control breaks and doesn't last very long -- don't know why, but for some reason, the technology isn't up to par. So, she said she could get one if we really wanted one, but that she didn't recommend it because she doesn't want to encourage someone to buy something they won't be happy with. The other thing is -- you have to get up to open the flue anyway, so you may as well just turn the knob while you're there. I find we usually don't play around with the flames much (make them higher or lower), while we're using it, so it's not something you'll get up and adjust all the time -- you'll probably just turn it on and off. But, if you do want a remote for sure, make sure you put it in when it's installed - there's no going back apparently. We actually had a problem with our manual knob ironically, and the installer came back and replaced the whole knob unit at no cost (there's a warrenty on it, and we didn't have to bother with anything - Diane worked that out). But no hassles or fuss -- they just took care of it. They have an installer they work with. We were happy with the work he did as well. Summit Fireplace Centre only sells Portland Willamette logs, but they had a wide selection (we went with the Burnt Oak). Good luck! |
gretchen
Citizen
Username: Gretchen
Post Number: 107
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 5:59 pm: | |
We just bought a fireplace screen at the Fireplace Place in Summit. They seemed to specialize in this kind of thing--or so I gathered as I stood there for what felt like an eternity waiting for someone to help me. They have signs all over the place telling you to watch your kids, but not enough staff on a Saturday to help a couple with a 2 and 5 year old. I took my girls to a store next door while my husband waited for help. Strangely, it was next door that one of my kids fell down and pulled a whole display on top of herself--but that's another story.
Anyway try to avoid Saturday or at least go without children. I know this doesn't sound like much of a recommendation, but they do actually have incredibly realistic looking gas fireplaces and high quality products. |
mickey
Citizen
Username: Mickey
Post Number: 27
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 10:04 am: | |
I am happy with the fireplace installed by Summit Fireplace, however when we had a minor problem which needed fixing we must've called a dozen times (no exaggeration) to no avail....even after they promised a call-back. Finally a nice electrician from Stacey Electric helped me out while he was here fixing something else. |
Richard O'Connor
Citizen
Username: Roconn
Post Number: 218
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 10:32 am: | |
Before you convert to gas ... did you consider converting to efficient wood?
Fireplace Place (in Summit) sells a brand of insert (Lopi) that is GREAT.
I was TOASTY warm this winter on 2 cords of hardwood (about 300) and my gas bills were lower than last year which is saying something when you consider the price hikes this year.
Gas is great, but you're going to pay PSE$G for ambience. Don't they get enough money all ready?
(sorry, I am in a anti-pse$g mode) (not that I won't keep paying them for hot water, the grill, the boiler and the stove) ...
Richard (ROC)
--Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark; professionals built the Titanic.--
--AIM: ROConn |
eebiez
Citizen
Username: Eebiez
Post Number: 9
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 24, 2004 - 11:28 pm: | |
I love my gas fireplace! It was one of our best purchases ever. We also used the fireplace center in Summit. My recommendation is to skip the store/showroom and just call them and get someone to come to you and give you a presentation and an estimate before you waste your time driving over there. They will want you to come in and look at there showroom stuff before you finalize any plans anyway. |
|
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page