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Schedule Your Gas Fireplace Service Today!

Many people prefer gas fireplaces to wood burning ones because they produce less ash, soot, and smoke. However, many homeowners mistakenly think that gas fireplaces don’t need annual inspections because they are easy to burn. Although gas doesn’t create as much creosote as wood fuel, you still need to have it checked out periodically. In fact, the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) both suggest having your gas fireplace serviced once a year. At Old Smokey’s, our experienced fireplace technicians are professionals at inspecting, maintaining and repairing gas fireplace systems. Let us tell you why it is crucial that you schedule an annual fireplace inspection.

brown living room with gas fireplace

How is a gas fireplace inspection different from a wood fireplace inspection?

There are similarities between gas and wood fireplaces, however, the way they operate, and their mechanics are very different. Similar to a wood fire, gas produces creosote. During a service call, our fireplace technician will inspect the flue pipe to see if there is any creosote buildup. Gas fireplaces don’t need to be cleaned as often but should be checked anyway. If a burner isn’t burning hot enough or there is residue on the burner, creosote can build up quickly. Another reason for the flue inspection is to be sure that no animals have tried to build a nest in it. Nests and other debris are a fire hazard that needs to be removed immediately.

During a service call, our fireplace technician will also check to see if your gas system is working properly. Having a functioning gas system is very important because leaks can lead to a fire, an explosion, or exposure to carbon monoxide. Technicians will also check to make sure the gas pressure is set correctly and that the burners are in good working condition. Most newer gas systems come with a CO alarm which will be inspected as well. If you don’t have one, we suggest installing one.

What if there is an issue with my gas fireplace?

If we find an issue with your gas fireplace, we can fix it for you. At Old Smokey’s, we’ve been in the gas fireplace business for over two decades, so we’ve seen it all and we’ve repaired it all when it comes to gas heating systems. We also believe that it’s important to supplement our experience by working with professional safety organizations as well. That’s why all of our fireplace technicians are require to be certified by the CSIA. CSIA certification is important to our company because it means that our technicians are willing to become dedicated to a higher quality of service and home safety.

If it’s been a while since you’ve had your gas fireplace serviced, let one of the certified gas fireplace experts at Old Smokey’s serve you. Spring is a great time for an inspection, so call us today at 800-876-6539 or 260-424-0009, or schedule an appointment online to meet with one of our CSIA certified gas technicians today!

Find Your Perfect Gas Logs

Fireplaces add value and a touch of warmth to your home’s decor, making it a good investment for any homeowner. However, ifgas logs fireplace you already have an older wood burning fireplace that doesn’t work properly, you might not think that it is worth the time to fix it. Furthermore, although wood fireplaces create a wonderful ambiance, they do take some effort to operate and maintain. The inconvenience of chopping and stacking wood, and starting a wood fire deters some homeowners from wanting to use their old masonry fireplace. If you desire an authentic looking fire, but don’t want the hassle associated with a wood fireplace, we might have a solution for you. At Old Smokey’s, have an enormous selection of gas log sets available in our showroom. These gas log sets operate with a flip of a switch and are much easier to maintain than a traditional wood burning fireplace. Depending on fuel availability, they can be more economical than their wood-burning counterparts as well.

What are gas log sets?

A gas log set is an appliance that can either be installed new, or be inserted in an existing fireplace. Gas logs consist of a set of ceramic logs and a gas burner. The burner is set up in a way that it produces large flames, similar to that of a wood burning fireplace. The ceramic logs look like real wooden logs, however, they designed to be fire resistant. The effect created when the burner is installed under the log set is a genuine looking wood fire.

Since gas log sets are designed to mimic a wood burning fireplace, they also produce about the same amount of heat as a wood burning fireplace. This usually means that they aren’t the most efficient heat producers and are generally used for heating smaller areas. This doesn’t mean a gas log set won’t keep you warm if you sit by it, but it isn’t the best option if you are trying to supplement your home heating needs. If you are looking for home heating options, look at the wide variety of heating appliances that we offer here at Old Smokey’s. 

Convenience of gas logs

Gas log sets require similar ventilation to a wood burning fireplace, however, gas log ventilation systems are much easier to maintain. Because the ceramic log doesn’t actually burn, there is only a small amount of byproduct produced from the natural gas or propane fueling it. This means that less creosote is produced compared to burning wood, and there is less to clean up during your annual inspection. With all that being said, we must stress that it is important to have your ventilation inspected annually by a Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) certified chimney sweep.

If you’re ready to add the warmth and convenience of a gas log fireplace to your home, call us at Old Smokey’s to get an estimate. You can reach us at 800-876-6539 or schedule an appointment online here. You can also stop by our showroom located at 220 W State St, Ashley, IN 46705 and look at our wonderful selection gas logs for yourself. We look forward to seeing you soon!

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