Question #8: Gas Fireplaces – Did You Know?

February 17th, 2010

Gas fireplaces have a lot to offer besides warmth, light and ambiance. A gas fireplace can save you money, is considered a “green” heating method, can be customized to suit any lifestyle and is easier to install than one might guess in a home either with or without an existing wood-burning fireplace and chimney.

The sky is the limit when choosing a design

Gas fireplaces are constantly breaking the mold with their endless range of shapes and styles. Whether it’s a traditional fireplace look you’re going for, a contemporary feel, one that fits well with the preexisting decor or something completely unique, there is a fireplace design that’s perfect for you.

Fireplaces can conserve energy

It’s true! Using a gas fireplace to heat highly-trafficked areas of your home while turning down the thermostat in unused rooms can lead to visible savings on your energy costs. The gas fireplace is an environmentally friendly choice in many other ways, as they don’t require the cutting down of trees for fuel or release thick black smoke into the atmosphere.

Preparing your home for a gas fireplace is easy

An existing chimney can be transformed to hold a gas fireplace without a hassle, and a gas fireplace can be installed in a home where there isn’t a fireplace of any kind – without creating a chimney. Gas fireplaces use direct vent gas technology, and the fireplace only requires a single pipe to the outside. If you already have a drafty wood fireplace, a simple insert can create the energy-efficient heated oasis you desire within your existing unit.

Fireplaces are like gadgets

Some gas fireplaces are turned on with the flick of a switch, but that’s not all – the height of the flames, temperature and sometimes LED lighting used to create “embers” can be controlled remotely.

Contact Bremner Gas Services today to find out about the benefits of gas fireplaces.

Bremner Gas Services:  A division of Bremner Pool and Spa (Est. 1981), the company has expanded its offering to include the sales, service and installation of Napoleon Gas Fireplaces; Piping for Gas Fireplaces & Appliances and Line Leak and Location services to finer homes in and around Greater Toronto and Durham, Ontario. Featuring trained and licensed gas technicians, $5,000,000 in commercial insurance and certified by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA), you can trust Bremner for your home’s Gas Fireplace and Gas Services needs.  Call today for your FREE Quote.

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Question #7: Do gas fireplaces come in contemporary styles?

February 17th, 2010

An indoor fireplace provides warmth and a soft glow that adds an inviting charm to any room. Fire has been around nearly as long as humans, and has evolved from fire pits to indoor hearths to traditional fireplaces. It might seem like an impossible concept to reinvent fire, but the multitude of styles in which indoor gas fireplaces can be created appear to have done just that.

The sky’s the limit when choosing a design to match your home. Gone are the brick and wood frames used in traditional fireplaces, as homeowners can now incorporate faux logs or even vibrantly-coloured crushed glass or smooth, round river stones for the flames to dance upon. Traditional styles matched with the convenience of a gas fireplace or more modern and even space-age looking designs are possible to suit any colour scheme and style. Depending on the individual tastes of the homeowner, the potential colour and material combinations are endless.

Custom-made indoor gas fireplaces can be installed in linear shapes and be tall, wide or wall-mounted, taking up no more space within a room than a flat screen television. Framing made out of stainless steel or granite can surround the fireplace and colourful LED lights can provide ambience or compliment even the most discriminating decor.

Even with all of these customizable design features, all of the other benefits of an indoor gas fireplace remain intact. They’re energy efficient, turn on with the flick of a switch and dealing with the hassle of firewood is a thing of the past. They are clean-looking and clean-burning, eliminating worries about pollutants, flammable chimney buildup or the up to 80 per cent of heat lost through the flue like with traditional fireplaces. No matter what style of home, from modern, traditional or eco-friendly, an indoor gas fireplace can be a perfect addition.

Contact Bremner Gas Services today to find out about the benefits of gas fireplaces.

Bremner Gas Services:  A division of Bremner Pool and Spa (Est. 1981), the company has expanded its offering to include the sales, service and installation of Napoleon Gas Fireplaces; Piping for Gas Fireplaces & Appliances and Line Leak and Location services to finer homes in and around Greater Toronto and Durham, Ontario. Featuring trained and licensed gas technicians, $5,000,000 in commercial insurance and certified by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA), you can trust Bremner for your home’s Gas Fireplace and Gas Services needs.  Call today for your FREE Quote.

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Question #6: What do I have to know before installing a gas fireplace?

January 11th, 2010

A gas fireplace would serve you best in the area where your family spends most of their time, in other high-traffic areas, or in the part of the house where it will be the most attractive. Open-concept designs and accessible stairwells will allow for more heat circulation throughout the home, and ensuring the size of the fireplace is adequate to heat the space you intend to is important.

One decision to consider before having a gas fireplace installed is what type of venting option will work best with your home and needs. Researching these methods will help you be more informed when it comes time to start looking at gas fireplaces.

Venting is how the system will remove any combustible gases to the outdoors. The three choices available are direct venting, natural draft venting and power venting.

Through direct venting, outdoor air is pulled in through one pipe and exhaust products are sent out through another. The benefits of this method include a safer, sealed firebox and these units are more energy efficient.

With natural draft venting, the hot combustion gas rises up naturally through the flue into the outdoors, requiring a draft hood.

Power venting is less common in gas fireplaces, and uses electric fan vents. It allows for installation in areas where a standard flue cannot be used.

Avoid vent-free fireplaces at all cost. With no venting, excess moisture and harmful gases including carbon monoxide will be released into your home.   Usually a consultation with your fireplace installer will answer most of your questions, and it is best to be prepared with a better idea of what you’re looking for to bring to the table and ensure you receive the maximum results.

Contact Bremner Gas Services today to find out about the benefits of gas fireplaces.
Bremner Gas Services:  A division of Bremner Pool and Spa (Est. 1981), the company has expanded its offering to include the sales, service and installation of Napoleon Gas Fireplaces; Piping for Gas Fireplaces & Appliances and Line Leak and Location services to finer homes in and around Greater Toronto and Durham, Ontario. Featuring trained and licensed gas technicians, $5,000,000 in commercial insurance and certified by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA), you can trust Bremner for your home’s Gas Fireplace and Gas Services needs.  Call today for your FREE Quote.

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Question #5: Are gas fireplaces energy efficient?

January 11th, 2010

Going green is assuredly one of the most talked about movements this season. The advantages of using “green” products are touted through all forms of media, and gas fireplaces are no exception.

Gas fireplaces are energy efficient and definitely ensure a smaller carbon footprint for you and your home. Regular fireplaces not only use up wood from freshly cut trees, they emit a lot of pollution and particulate matter while wasting a lot of precious heat up through the chimney. You wouldn’t try to air condition a room with the door open, and attempting to harness heat this way is pretty similar.

If you want your fireplace to be a supplementary heat source, be sure to look for one that is heater rated. The most efficient gas fireplaces, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, have qualities such as the ability to turn the heat down, direct venting, a high Annual Fireplace Efficiency rating and an insulated outer casing.

Choosing the right size for your home is also important. If a typical room is 400 square feet, you will need approximately 14,000 Btu (about 35 Btu per square foot) to thoroughly heat that room. A gas fireplace can be a great addition to a regular furnace for heating the entire home, but there are some gas fireplaces that have the same Btu output as furnaces that might be ideal to heat the home by themselves.

Gas fireplaces can be a valuable and green method of “winter-izing” your home by helping lower heating bills. Why waste money heating the entire home when the family is usually congregated near the fireplace for hours at a time? Concentrating the heat source for the home into the most commonly-used room can decrease energy consumption and increase savings.

Gas fireplaces offer many energy saving advantages in contrast to their traditional counterparts as well as a larger number of “green” benefits.

Contact Bremner Gas Services today to find out about the benefits of gas fireplaces.

Bremner Gas Services:  A division of Bremner Pool and Spa (Est. 1981), the company has expanded its offering to include the sales, service and installation of Napoleon Gas Fireplaces; Piping for Gas Fireplaces & Appliances and Line Leak and Location services to finer homes in and around Greater Toronto and Durham, Ontario. Featuring trained and licensed gas technicians, $5,000,000 in commercial insurance and certified by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA), you can trust Bremner for your home’s Gas Fireplace and Gas Services needs.  Call today for your FREE Quote.

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Question #4: Are there different types of gas fireplaces?

December 8th, 2009

Yes. The type you choose will depend mainly on the construction of your home and how you plan to use your gas fireplace.

Traditional fireplaces have often been the focal point of a home, providing comfort, warmth and light for friends, family and loved ones.  Unfortunately, most new houses are built to have increased insulation and are far more air-tight, making them relatively inhospitable to the construction and mechanics of a traditional fireplace.

Alternatively, gas fireplaces are an ideal secondary heating source and can still allow for the more active areas of your home to become an inviting centre of attention along with the added bonuses of being much safer, energy efficient and environmentally friendly than standard wood burning fireplaces.

Gas fireplaces are also much cleaner, producing less carbon monoxide and particulate matter with none of the ashes, smoke or residue. All that needs to be taken care of is cleaning the glass once in a while, and there is no worry about cleaning the hearth or chimney.

Gas fireplaces are much easier to use, with no flue, logs or stoking to worry about and a convenient on and off switch attached to a constant fuel supply.

There are three types of gas fireplaces.

The first, insert fireplaces, fit into an existing fireplace space and have a glass front. The chimney must be relined in this case.

The second, zero clearance or factory built, are installed inside the house where there is no existing fireplace cavity. 

The third, free standing, look and act a lot like wood burning stoves and are the best option for providing extra heat.

No matter which choice you make, there is a gas fireplace that can conveniently stand out among your home furnishings that fits within your lifestyle and budget.

Contact Bremner Gas Services today to find out about the benefits of gas fireplaces.

Bremner Gas Services:  A division of Bremner Pool and Spa (Est. 1981), the company has expanded its offering to include the sales, service and installation of Napoleon Gas Fireplaces; Piping for Gas Fireplaces & Appliances and Line Leak and Location services to finer homes in and around Greater Toronto and Durham, Ontario. Featuring trained and licensed gas technicians, $5,000,000 in commercial insurance and certified by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA), you can trust Bremner for your home’s Gas Fireplace and Gas Services needs.  Call today for your FREE Quote.

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Question #3: What are the advantages of a natural gas fireplace?

December 8th, 2009

In the movies, a cozy fire is usually the setting for roasting marshmallows, cuddling up on a cold winter day, holiday family gatherings or reading stories to the kids. However, the movies tend to gloss over the choking smoke, the buying or chopping of wood, the cleaning up of ashes and soot and the artful yet tedious craft of getting a decent one started. 

Imagine never again having to trudge through cold, crunchy snow in the dead of winter to grab more fuel for the fire, no more worrying about how long your fresh-chopped wood must dry before it has a safe moisture content, nor the creosote deposits left in your chimney.

A gas fireplace embodies the same romanticism, warmth and other delights associated with a home fireplace, but with absolutely none of the hassle. Just the flip of a switch will spark a roaring fire and the same action will turn it off completely. No more waiting for the flames to die down or extinguishing the last smoldering remains.

Unlike a traditional fireplace, the flames are controlled and there is no danger of them getting out of hand.   The ceramic logs that come with gas fireplaces nowadays are also far more realistic than those of previous years, allowing for a more even distribution of heat and even glowing embers. Some portable types of gas fireplaces can even be moved from room to room, and don’t have to start out expensive.

There are many different looks and styles of gas fireplaces that can be purchased, so there is no doubt that there is one out there to compliment your decor. Whichever style of gas fireplace you choose, you absolutely cannot go wrong. The convenience of how they operate alone makes them suitable to any lifestyle.

Contact Bremner Gas Services today to find out about the benefits of gas fireplaces.

Bremner Gas Services:  A division of Bremner Pool and Spa (Est. 1981), the company has expanded its offering to include the sales, service and installation of Napoleon Gas Fireplaces; Piping for Gas Fireplaces & Appliances and Line Leak and Location services to finer homes in and around Greater Toronto and Durham, Ontario. Featuring trained and licensed gas technicians, $5,000,000 in commercial insurance and certified by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA), you can trust Bremner for your home’s Gas Fireplace and Gas Services needs.  Call today for your FREE Quote.

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Question #2: What are the dangers of traditional wood burning fireplaces?

November 26th, 2009

There’s a certain romance and nostalgia associated with a wood burning fireplace; the smell and sound of burning wood as it glows and crackles while basking in its warmth is the stuff of Norman Rockwell paintings.

However, along with the benefits of owning a wood burning fireplace come safety concerns. To help you keep your home and family safe, consider the following:

One of the dangers that come with a wood burning fireplace is the presence of unconfined carbon monoxide gas.  If your wood burning fireplace is not functioning or cleaned properly, it could release high concentrations of this deadly gas into your home.

Wood burning fireplaces have dampers that have to be opened before lighting a fire, and must not be closed until the ashes have completely cooled to avoid a build up of carbon monoxide. As well, flues and chimneys need to be examined each heating season as any cracks, blockages or leaks can push the deadly toxic fumes into your home.

Adding to the annual maintenance of wood burning fireplaces is the build up of creosote, a thick substance made from the condensation of unburned wood gases, which when accumulated, can become a fuel source on its own and lead to chimney fires.

As appealing as the smell of burning wood is, keep in mind that it is actually unhealthy for you, your family and the ecosystem. Wood smoke creates significant amounts of fine particle pollution, which can lead to respiratory issues and other ailments. If you can smell it, you’re breathing it in.  Wood may also contain harmful mildew and fungi that when burned spreads throughout your home.

Although appealing to some, know that wood burning fireplaces require intensive maintenance and do carry health risks.

It is for these very reasons that we recommend gas fireplaces.  Safer, cleaner and requiring less maintenance, gas fireplaces can easily be turned on and off with the slip of a switch and because they don’t burn wood, are better for the environment, your health and your home.

Contact Bremner Gas Services to find out about the benefits of gas fireplaces.

Bremner Gas Services:  A division of Bremner Pool and Spa (Est. 1981), the company has expanded its offering to include the sales, service and installation of Napoleon Gas Fireplaces; Piping for Gas Fireplaces & Appliances and Line Leak and Location services to finer homes in and around Greater Toronto and Durham, Ontario. Featuring trained and licensed gas technicians, $5,000,000 in commercial insurance and certified by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority  (TSSA), you can trust Bremner for your home’s Gas Fireplace and Gas Services needs.  Call today for your FREE Quote.

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Fireplaces: ‘Tis The Season…

November 26th, 2009

As winter approaches, thoughts of patios and picnics turn to thoughts of staying warm, basking in the glow of a toasty fireplace while sharing good conversation with friends and loved ones.

Those that have experienced the pleasures of owning a fireplace will tell you that besides keeping you warm, fireplaces help to add a certain feel to your home, creating a cozy and intimate atmosphere.

But what if you’ve never owned a fireplace?  If this is the case, you may be wondering which type is best for you and your home. For example, “What are the advantages and disadvantages of owning a wood burning vs. gas fireplace?  Which type of fireplace is the most energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly?  Which is most cost-effective?”

The first in a series of blogs, we’ll be exploring the keys to safe, energy-efficient and cost-effective fireplace ownership by answering some of the more frequently asked questions out there.

Question #1:  Do Fireplaces Qualify for the Home Renovation Tax Credit (HRTC)?

Yes. Fireplaces qualify under the new Canadian Home Renovation Tax Credit (HRTC), which  allows home owners to claim personal residential upgrades made during the 2009 tax year.

The non-refundable tax credit is based on eligible expenses incurred from making improvements to your condo, home or cottage and apply as long as you are inhabiting the property at the time. An eligible expense can include work by a contractor or a third party, as well as associated costs such as permits and rentals.

These expenses must be over $1,000 but under $10,000. The maximum credit that can be received is $1,350.   The tax credit only applies on work finished before Feb. 1, 2010 and must be based on agreements or contracts entered into after Jan. 27, 2009.

Any goods – including fireplaces – can be installed after the final date as long as they are purchased by that time, but any work by third parties completed after Feb. 1, 2010 will not qualify.  Almost 5 million families are expected to benefit, but time is running out.

Contact Bremner Gas Services for more information.

Bremner Gas Services:  A division of Bremner Pool and Spa (Est. 1981), the company has expanded its offering to include the sales, service and installation of Napoleon Gas Fireplaces; Piping for Gas Fireplaces & Appliances and Line Leak and Location services to finer homes in and around Greater Toronto and Durham. Featuring trained and licensed gas technicians, $5,000,000 in commercial insurance and certified by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA), you can trust Bremner for your home’s Gas Fireplace and Gas Services needs.  Call today for your FREE Quote at (905) 831-2498.

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