Confused over so many choices

[tarheel]

I am new to this forum (it's great!).
I live in eastern North Carolina (Raleigh) where the winters are mild. But I still love a a nice fireplace.
I currently have a brick, wood-burning fireplace but have used it very little. I'm afraid I am a city girl and don't like having to lug in the wood and clean up the ashes. Plus, I really have no good place to store it.

I originally planned to get gas logs, but a friend said I should consider the Direct Vent Gas Inserts.
I've been looking at them with a great deal of sticker shock (Regency and Mendota so far).

My fireplace opening width=40" , height = 26.5", Depth=18".

The larger sizes have the best appearance (in my opinion) and have the largest viewing area.
The smaller sizes are just too small for my taste; you end up wasting so much of your firebox space it seems.

But if I get a larger size, I think it would "cook" me out of the living room (which is where the fireplace is). I might just have it set on 'Low' all the time.
My living room is a little over 300 sq. ft, and my entire house is about 1400 sq. ft. (one-level ranch).
I want a nice ambience and zone heating.

So my general questions are:
1. If you got a direct vent gas insert, what size should I get and what brand (Regency, Quadra-Fire, Mendota, etc.)
2. If I decide not to do the direct vent gas insert, I'm thinking I should just stay with wood burning. Gas logs are just a waste of money, right?

Any thoughts and comments are welcome.
I am a fireplace "newbie".

 

[webbie]

You are somewhat correct in that many units can overheat you - especially highly efficient DV models.

And you want a nice flame.......

And if is for occasional use, spending 4 grand or more installed may be beyond your needs.

You should consider a couple things....

1. A B-Vent insert (one pipe system) will often put out less heat than a DV, but still do a decent job.
Something like this:
(broken link removed to http://www.elitedeals.com/nanavegasfii.html)
Still $1500 or so - you can find stripped models maybe for 1200......and the piping will cost less than DV......one pipe.
They call them "natural draft"......

2. A set of "upscale" radiant gas logs or even vent-free logs used with the damper slightly open.
For a couple hours each evening, this type of product will give you a nice warm area.
Possible links to these types:
http://www.elegantembers.com/
http://www.monessenhearth.com/productInfo/display.cfm?product=2760

Vent free are available in many places - Peterson makes some nice looking units.

Main thing is not to buy the 75,000 BTU+ old style gas logs with no radiant heating parts...these just put the heat up the chimney

 

[jtp10181]

Here in WI you would not believe how many NEW houses are being built with prefab open face wood fireplaces, just so they can install 90,000 BTU gas logs that blow it all up the chimney. But damn the flame looks nice. Go watch the gas meter spin though. We also lock all the dampers fully open because of all the problems with people not opening them all the way. So when you have a 42" or 50" firebox, 11" ID chimney, no doors, and a wide open damper and its below 0 outside, I bet it feels really nice by that fireplace.

Even though I dreadfully hate B-Vented and Vent Free fireplaces I guess for what you want Web's suggestions are right on. Just make sure you are educated and make a well informed decision.

 

[tarheel]

Thanks for the good information.
I am curious why you do not like B-Vented fireplaces. Could you explain a little more what B-Vent is?
Thanks!

 

[stoveguy2esw]

b-vent gas uses "house air" where direct vent draws air in and ejects the exhaust out. b vents require a small amount of draw from a flue, where a direct vent doesnt.

 

[jtp10181]

In WI the climate is not so nice in the winter so most homes are constructed very tightly to keep them warm. This is one reason why Vent Free units are not legal here. Since B-Vent units rely on room air for combustion they can over time depressurize a house that does not turn a lot of air and then they would exhibit a multitude of problems including spilling exhaust. Also just from a tech standpoint the Direct Vent units usually have better performance, better flames, more stable pilot, less problems over time, glass stays cleaner, etc..... Mostly this has to do with the outside air for combustion as opposed to room air with B-Vent.

For the record, Direct Vents are still naturally drafting, but since the combustion air comes from outside the air pressure in the house has no effect on its ability to draft properly.