convert wood fireplace to gas

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riverbend

New Member
Hearth Supporter
Jan 2, 2006
2
We're thinking about converting wood fireplace in basement to gas -- primarily for heat because grandma lives in basement. Find that the wood fireplace doesn't do the trick. Gas furnace is at opposite corner of basement from existing wood fireplace.
Any ideas how much this would cost me?
How do I run the gas line to the fireplace?
Is conversion the best solution to maximize heat and manage costs?
 
gas can be run in "black pipe". The size of the pipe would be dictated by your local building code. It's pretty cheap at Home Depot or Lowe's. Of course, remember to SHUT THE FR#@$%#$^ gas off first! Running a gas fireplace is not exactly cheap, but it is convenient. Most fireplaces come with a consumption amount. Basically, they'll tell you how much gas they eat. Check this against your current bill to see how much it is going to cost you.

Check with local building inspector to see what tests they run. A lot of places make you pipe it first, then cap it and pressure test it, then once it proves it can hold pressure, then you can hook it up to the gas main.

Joshua
 
riverbend,

I would strongly sugest against using a gas fireplace conversion as a heat source. You are not changing the poor heating characteristics of the fire box your just making the fuel more expensive and the CO potential a greater hazard.

Look into direct venting heaters, they are available as wall mounts or free staning. High effinecey units can sometimes be vented with PVC pipe.





keep warm,

Garett
 
Have you thought about letting granny live with the rest of the family upstairs?

If she is like my MIL she will want to have the heat on even if it is 80 down there.
Maybe you could put a ng space heater near the source using a quick connect
pipe and valve. If you handy you can do the whole job including the heater for less than 5 bills.
A lot less than that if you find a heater in the swap sheet. Use rectroseal pipe dope and use soap bubbles to test the pipe
for leaks.

Fire places can be made to work if you have a little talent with brick and mortor
 
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