Gas Fireplace FAQs

Blowers are optional on most heat circulating (grilles on top and bottom of fireplace) units, and some hearth products the blower is standard. Adding a blower is easily accomplished if power (110 VAC) was provided to the electrical junction box of the fireplace at the time of initial installation. If power was not provided, a fan option is still possible, but installation is complicated and therefore more costly.

Yes, however you should check with the TV manufacturer and/or store you purchased the TV from. We recommend you place the TV at least 24” above the top of the opening of the fireplace and most importantly, recessing the front of the wall above the fireplace so recessing the TV into the wall will move it out of the path of the heat.

No, with today’s venting options, hearth products can be installed very economically almost anywhere in the home.

Direct vent technology is available in single-sided or multi-sided fireplaces, as well as freestanding and insert models. They use a sealed combustion chamber that vents out the back or top, to the outside. This allows easy installation of a beautiful and realistic fireplace without the expense of a traditional chimney system. Because no room air is used for combustion, direct vents are especially efficient (up to 80+%) and will not alter the quality of your room air. All combustion air is drawn from outside the home and 100% of the combustion by-products are exhausted to the outside.

Yes. Most building codes allow the installation of a gas fireplace in a sleeping room as long as it is a sealed combustion, direct vent model.

A Direct Vent Fireplace is a gas log fireplace (propane or natural gas) that has a flue at the top or back of the fireplace that vents directly out side. Fresh air is brought in through a pipe surrounding the exhaust flue so that no air is required from inside the home to sustain the fire. Unlike Vent-less Fireplaces, all the combustion gases are vented outside. The Direct Vent Fireplace has a glass plate that seals off the firebox from the room. Below and above the firebox are vents that allow cool air to enter at the bottom and exit as hot air at the top.

Inserts are designed to enhance the operation and appearance of an existing wood burning fireplace, whether masonry or factory-built. Categorized primarily by the fuel burned for operation (natural gas, propane, EPA certified wood, pellet and coal), a fireplace insert is installed into an existing wood burning fireplace. Fireplace inserts are made from cast iron or steel and have self-cleaning glass doors that allow the dancing flames of the fire to be viewed while the insulated doors remain closed, making the fire more efficient. Many manufacturers also augment the operation of fireplace inserts by offering state-of-the-art features such as fans and thermostatic controls (depending on the fuel).

An insert is designed to be placed into an existing masonry or factory built fireplace. A fireplace is either masonry (not zero clearance) or factory built (zero clearance) unit built for burning wood or gas.

Yes, many gas fireplaces are designed to operate with a thermostat control. Homeowners can set the desired room temperature using a thermostat and the fireplace will automatically turn on or off according to the desired temperature.

Absolutely, we can install a gas fireplace in almost any situation no matter the size or layout of your home.

Yes, The Fireplace Guys is licensed by the Minnesota Department of Labor, the state holds our mechanical bond, and we carry $2 million of general liability insurance. Our license number is: BC641848. Our mechanical bond number is: MB643168. A current certificate of insurance can be provided upon request.

Yes, our technicians are NFI (National Fireplace Institute) certified.