Old Smokey's Fireplace & Chimney's Blog

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.

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!

Add Convenience With a New Gas Log Set

Are you thinking of adding a new fireplace to your home? Do you rarely use your older wood burning fireplace? Wood fireplaces are wonderful, but they do take a lot more work in regards to operation and upkeep. Oftentimes, the inconvenience of chopping wood and starting a wood fire deters homeowners from using their fireplace as much as they would like. But, what if we told you that you could have an authentic looking fire with the flip of a switch? At Old Smokey’s, we are very excited about the selection of gas log sets that we have available. Our gas log sets are easy to operate, easier to maintain, and are usually more economical than their wood-burning counterparts.

Gas Log Sets

A gas log set is an appliance that can either be installed in a new fireplace or be inserted in an already existing gas or wood burning fireplace. It consists of a gas burner and a set of ceramic logs. The burner produces large flames, similar to what you would get with a wood burning appliance, using either natural gas or propane. The fire resistant ceramic logs look like real wooden logs. The effect of the burner and the log set together is a genuine looking wood fire but without the wood.

Gas log sets mimic wood burning fireplace while producing a similar amount of heat. However, they aren’t incredibly efficient heat producers and therefore aren’t recommended for home heating needs. If you are looking for home heating options, check out some of the other appliances that we offer here at Old Smokey’s.

Convenience

Although gas log sets require similar ventilation as a wood burning fireplace, the ventilation system is usually easier to maintain. This is because the ceramic log don’t actually burn and only produces a small amount of gas byproduct from the natural gas or propane. Therefore, vent cleaning is easier due to the diminished creosote production. That being said, it is still important to have you vent inspected every year by a Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) certified chimney sweep.

Gas log sets are much easier to operate than a wood fireplace. Instead of finding a wood source, hauling and stacking wood at home, all you need to do with a gas log set is flip a switch. It doesn’t get much easier than that!

If you want to add convenience and elegance to your home, call us at Old Smokey’s to get an estimate on a gas log set. You can call us at 800-876-6539 or schedule an appointment online here. We look forward to hearing from you!