Adding a gas fireplace to your new home
Gas fireplaces have become increasingly popular in new home construction in recent years, and for good reason. Not only do they add a touch of elegance and coziness to a space, but they also provide several practical benefits. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of gas fireplaces in new construction, particularly focusing on the intrinsic value of warmth in the center of the home and the benefits of gathering together there.
Firstly, gas fireplaces provide warmth and comfort to a home. There is nothing quite like the feeling of sitting in front of a roaring fire on a cold winter evening. Gas fireplaces provide this same feeling without the need for chopping wood or cleaning up ash. They are also easy to turn on and off, allowing you to control the temperature in your home with ease. This convenience makes them a great option for families with young children or older adults who may have difficulty starting and maintaining a wood-burning fire.
Another benefit of gas fireplaces is that they are low maintenance. With a wood-burning fireplace, you need to clean out the ash and soot regularly. This can be a messy and time-consuming process. Gas fireplaces, on the other hand, require very little maintenance. They don’t produce any ash or soot, which means you won’t have to worry about cleaning up after them. Additionally, gas fireplaces don’t produce any sparks or embers, which reduces the risk of accidental fires.
Gas fireplaces also provide a great gathering space for families and friends. They offer a cozy and inviting atmosphere that encourages people to come together and socialize. The fireplace becomes the focal point of the room, drawing people in and providing a space for them to relax and enjoy each other’s company. This is particularly important during the holiday season when families gather together to celebrate. A gas fireplace can create a warm and welcoming atmosphere that makes everyone feel at home.
Finally, gas fireplaces are energy-efficient. They provide heat directly to the room, which means you don’t have to heat your entire home to stay warm. This can help to reduce your energy bills and save you money in the long run. Additionally, gas fireplaces don’t produce any harmful ash or smoke, which makes them a more environmentally friendly option compared to wood-burning fireplaces.
In conclusion, gas fireplaces provide several benefits in new home construction. They offer warmth and comfort, low maintenance, a great gathering space for families and friends, and energy efficiency. If you’re considering adding a fireplace to your new home, a gas fireplace is definitely worth considering. It’s a smart investment that will provide you with years of enjoyment and comfort.
Consider these five upgrades to create the outdoor oasis of your dreams.
Up the Ante with an Outdoor Kitchen
Everything tastes a little better when it’s prepared on a grill. But when everything else needed for the meal is inside the house, we end up running back and forth constantly to get beverages, plates, utensils, condiments, etc. An outdoor kitchen simplifies meal prep and provides easy access to all the tools you need to enjoy dinner on the patio.
Think about it: without walls and other limitations, the outdoors is the perfect spot for your ideal kitchen. A grill, a surface area for food prep, and an area to stow supplies are essential. But why stop there? A cooktop is nice to have for preparing side dishes. Add a sink and refrigerator and you can virtually eliminate trips inside.
The design of your outdoor kitchen will depend on the area you are working with and the amenities you choose. Many homeowners have found that an island is an efficient design for an outdoor kitchen since it can comprise everything needed in a fairly compact and efficient space.
Our yards and outdoor spaces are part of our homes. Today more than ever, it’s possible to extend the comforts of our living rooms outdoors, especially with regard to furniture.
If you think outdoor furniture lacks comfort and style, think again. In addition to being weather resistant, today’s outdoor furniture is every bit as comfortable as its indoor counterparts. Gone are those harsh, sweat-generating cushions of the past; they’ve been replaced by pliable, soft, weather-tolerant fabrics that make you want to nestle in and stay longer. Wicker or rattan bases are equally cozy and are designed to stand up to weather for years.
Just as a fireplace is the heart of the home, it is also the centerpiece of any outdoor space. If you’ve ever enjoyed a campfire on a moonlit night, you know fire and the outdoors belong together. That’s why outdoor fireplaces are so popular and continue to gain momentum as one of the most popular outdoor space amenities. If you make only one improvement to your outdoor space, install a fireplace to transform it from run-of-the-mill to the place where everyone wants to spend time. There are many style options for outdoor fireplaces, including the on-trend new Heat & Glo Courtyard gas fireplace shown below.
Enhance starry summer nights with strategically placed low-voltage lights. In addition to providing light for your guests to move safely from one area to another, lighting adds interest by illuminating your landscape. Most lights are fairly easy to install, provided there’s an electrical source. If electricity isn’t an option, consider solar-powered lighting, which can be set to operate dawn-to-dusk. Also, skip the incandescent lights and go with LED. They produce less heat and save money over time by using about 90 percent less energy.
Add the sound of gently falling water to the comforts of a fireplace and you have the perfect outdoor oasis to engage your senses. Rock fountains (sometimes made from concrete-reinforced fiberglass) are popular now because they don’t require a lot of maintenance and are fairly simple to install.
Learn about the Phoenix TrueView gas fireplace and see it in action by streaming our holiday Yule Log video.
Seriously, could a gas fireplace look and sound this real? That’s what you’ll experience with the new Phoenix TrueView gas fireplace from Heat & Glo®. Enjoy our Yule Log video featuring the Phoenix TrueView this holiday season and see for yourself.
This industry first delivers the convenience of gas without the glass. The allure is simple and profound. In an era of all our busyness, we want to create a sanctuary. A worry-free oasis where our families can love and live in comfort and peace. The Phoenix takes you there instantly. No hauling in wood. No rolling up newspapers to get things started. No lingering to let the fire die out. Instant on. Instant off. Did I mention, there’s no ashes?
Unique Phoenix advantages bring you a relaxing daily experience
What sets the TrueView apart is no glass to distract and Bluetooth speakers — for full enjoyment of your fire visually and with the sound of crackling fire or music when paired with your smart device. Add a screen door front if you want to enjoy your fire with style of an enclosed fireplace.
The nostalgic look and feel comes alive with bold dancing flames you can tweak up or down. Mild heat for year-round comfort. Hand-painted, amazingly authentic log sets. And a glowing ember bed.
You can personalize your fireside experience with:
- Optional Bluetooth Surround Sound speakers to stream your favorite music or a crackling fire for an immersive experience
- Nostalgic brick or a modern reflective black interior for modern or traditional interior design
- Ability to mount your TV just 12” above, with no mantel required
Installing a Phoenix TrueView is more affordable than building out a masonry fireplace. Why? No elaborate structure. No full chimney. No prolonged labor. You can have yours installed in one day.
What’s more, it costs just $0.22/hour to run a nice-sized fire. The exclusive WhisperTone™ automatic damper saves you energy cost because it stops air movement when your fireplace is off, sealing off cold air. And, you can easily control your flame height with a touchscreen remote.
Envision your home with a Phoenix TrueView series gas fireplace. It brings a wood fireplace to life without all the hassle of chopping, hauling and stacking wood, and the mess of cleaning ashes. Then, get full details on how quickly and inexpensively you can have one in place soon.
Let the memories begin.
Remember last winter? It was cold outside. And if you have a masonry wood-burning fireplace in your home, chances are it was drafty and cold inside too. But you don’t have to live through that again! Here’s why preparing for winter now by upgrading your fireplace with a Harman pellet insert is a wise decision.
Installation – it’s a snap! Completed in as little as one day, a beautiful Harman pellet insert fits into your current fireplace opening.
No drafts – it’s a sealed system. Harman pellet inserts are airtight systems, efficiently vented directly out the wall or up your existing chimney.
Fuel prices – they are consistent. The cost for pellets varies little from year-to-year and an insert will make your fireplace much more efficient. You’ll enjoy financial benefits for years to come.
Control – exclusive Harman technologies. With Pellet Pro, Exhaust Sensing Probe and EASY Touch Control, you set the temperature for the space in your home and the stove controls it accurately, 24/7.
See for Yourself
To help visualize how a Harman pellet insert can transform a room in your home, we’ve included a selection of “before and after” photos from customers’ homes.
Before
After
Photo credit: Earth Sense Energy
Before
After
Photo credit: Superior Fireplaces
Before/After
Two Great Insert Options
The Harman Accentra52i-TC is the best-selling pellet insert in the nation and for good reason. Outfitted with Harman’s exclusive EASY Touch Control, it has an illuminated glass hopper lid and requires up to 50 percent less maintenance than any other pellet insert available today. Starting at $4,499, it’s an investment that will save you time and money heating your home.
HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR OUTDOOR GAS FIREPLACE
With the arrival of April showers and spring flowers, so comes a spirit of energy, renewal and the feeling that it’s time to clean all the things. While hatching your spring-cleaning plans, don’t forget to add your outdoor gas fireplace to your list of to-dos. By following the checklist below, you’ll ensure your outdoor gas fireplace is properly maintained and ready for a busy season of backyard gatherings and cozy evenings spent gathered around the fire.
Step 1: Set yourself up for safety…and success.
Before starting any maintenance tasks, make sure the fireplace is completely cool. Turn off the gas valve and turn the power to the unit off.
Step 2: Start with the screen.
Inspect your fireplace’s screen for scratches, dents or other damage that could lead to rust when exposed to the elements. Need a replacement screen? We can help with that. Next, vacuum and dust the screen and surfaces, using caution when handling the edges. To clean the screen, spray stainless steel cleaner on a terry cloth rag—do NOT spray cleaner directly on the screen. Again, use caution when cleaning the mesh near the edges as they are sharp and may tear or snag the cloth. Pro tip: Wearing work gloves will provide an extra layer of protection if you’re worried about scratching your hands.
Step 3: Clean and inspect the inside of the firebox.
Remove any dirt, debris, leaves or dust that’s accumulated in the firebox or around the logs using a soft paintbrush or vacuum. Give the firebox a close once-over looking for signs of rust, flaking or soot and check the pilot assembly for signs of corrosion. If you see any patches of rust or flaking, lightly sand the affected areas. And if your pilot assembly looks damaged, call us at 218-729-4895.
Step 4: Reassemble the fireplace and turn the power and gas valve back on.
Step 5: Check burner ignition.
First, ensure the furniture and any other combustible materials are a safe distance from the fireplace. Then, check the burner ignition by turning on the fireplace. It should light smoothly and without delay. If the burner does not light or lags, calls us to look for a replacement, 218-729-4895.
Your fireplace is now ready for another long season of enjoyment. Feeling intimidated by the tasks outlined above or worried about the performance of your fireplace? Consider a comprehensive inspection by a certified fireplace technician, we have only Hearth and Home Technologies certified technicians.
Want to print a PDF of this Outdoor Gas Fireplace Maintenance Checklist? Download it now.
Anatomy of an Intelligent Pellet Stove
High-efficiency Harman pellet stoves use patented technology to provide cost-effective, reliable heat that comes with intuitive controls and requires very little maintenance. And unlike furnaces, they also offer a mesmerizing flame to gather around! If you’re new to pellet heating and are wondering how it works, here’s a peek at what happens behind those gorgeous flames.
Easy Touch Control: Set it and forget it (temperature that is!) with a few simple swipes. Our intuitive touchscreen operation allows you to keep your desired heat levels all day, every day—and the built-in programmable thermostat can help you conserve fuel and money!
Slide plate: Opens with the help of a pusher arm to gravity-feed the pellets to the auger which twirls the pellets horizontally toward the burn pot, the pellet’s final burning place.
Burn pot: A steel plate under which the igniter sits, ready to ignite the pellets as they are pushed up to be burned. Our Pellet-Pro System technology is patented and our burn pot remains the one to beat in our industry. It achieves an industry-leading performance and efficiency by maintaining the fire within a remarkable one degree of set temperatures by working in harmony with the Exhaust Sensing Probe (ESP Technology) to constantly monitor temperature.
Automatic igniter: Seated directly under the burn pot, it lights the pellets aflame to create heat.
Sensors: Our Exhaust Sensing Probe and room sensors (including a wireless option!) can tell what the temperature is and regulate the flame by reducing, stopping or feeding more pellets to the burn pot to keep the heat even.
Have more questions about heating your home with a pellet stove? Call us at 218-729-4895.
SAY BYE-BYE TO BRASS WITH A FIREPLACE MAKEOVER
It’s time to make your fireplace home to life’s most memorable moments
Do you have an ugly, dated, wood-burning fireplace you’d like to bring back to life? Brass doors from the 80s. Dirty soot and ashes. Messy firewood. If so, it’s time for a fireplace remodel.
Your updated fireplace will look as inviting as it feelsIn an era of overwhelming busyness and disconnection, you seek to create a sanctuary – a worry-free oasis where your family can live in comfort, creating memorable moments throughout the years. But an old wood-burning fireplace is:
- Dated – hopelessly out of touch with the rest of your style
- Uninviting – such an eyesore, it doesn’t draw your loved ones in
- Unused – you haven’t built a fire in 8 to 10 years because it’s too much work
What are your options? Tear out a wall and do something totally new ($$$). Place candles or logs in there, with a rolled-up blanket to stop the cold draft.
Or … transform your old brick or manufactured fireplace into an attractive and comfortable space with a gas fireplace insert.
What is a gas fireplace insert?
A “gas insert” fits inside your wood-burning fireplace opening, fed by a copper gas line, that brings instant warmth into your home! All with no work and just the touch of a button.
A gas insert instantly brings back the ambiance by updating the spaces you love and bringing a sense of calm to your overall day without the hassle.
Believe it or not, a fireplace makeover is an amazingly easy process.
You can even include a new stone or brick facing as part of your fireplace remodel with a gas fireplace insert.
How easy is it to install a gas insert?
All it takes is 3 simple steps to restore that sense of nostalgia and togetherness of your fireplace.
- Bring in a photo of your fireplace to us to find out what will work best for you
- Have your gas insert installed safely by our professional teams
- Sit back and enjoy having a beautiful and efficient fireplace
Get started today and find out how easy it is to say bye-bye to brass. And, start making memories with a fireplace you dreamed of when you bought or built your home. You’ll fall in love with your fireplace again.
For more inspiration, check out our other blog articles on How to Update and Upgrade an Existing Fireplace, Mounting a TV Over a Fireplace and 8 Stylish Planking & Fireplace Combinations We Love.
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