Ease of Use – You simply turn them on and off with a switch.  There is no wood to haul or ashes to clean up.

Heat a Cool Room – Many have been installed in downstairs family rooms, where it turned a cool room into one where you want to spend your time.

Backup Heat – While a modern furnace must have electricity to operate, a standing pilot gas fireplace does not need electricity to run, even with a thermostat.

Environmentally Friendly – Gas fireplaces produce much less pollution than burning wood or coal.  In more communities, they are the only fireplaces you can operate on high pollution days or even install in new homes.

At the end of this page is a link to Vermont Castings / Majestic Fireplaces where you can go look at the models and specifications.  If you are new to gas fireplaces, the following is a primer on the different models and features you will find.

Types of Models
Gas Stoves – These are freestanding models.  They can be installed most anywhere and do a great job of putting off heat because the whole stove and flue are in the room.

Gas Insets – These are designed to fit inside an existing masonry or built in wood fireplace.

Zero Clearance Fireplaces – These are designed for new construction or remodeling projects.  They are a built-in fireplace that can be framed around.

Control
Gas fireplaces are controlled by a switch on the unit itself, a wall switch, wall thermostat or remote control.  Different units have different capabilities.  If you are looking for a remote, we like Vermont Castings Comfort Control system where the receiver is built into the gas valve, they have proven to be very reliable.

Vents
Natural Vent – These vent like a traditional water heater.  A single vent is used that must go through the roof.  They draw their combustion air from inside the home.  The fireplace may not be located in a bedroom.

Direct Vent – These vent systems use two pipes, one to vent out the flue products the other to bring in outside air for combustion.  The firebox is sealed from the indoor air.  They are several hundred dollars more expensive than natural vent models, but more energy efficient.  Direct vent models are approved for bedroom installations and they can vent out the sidewall or up through the roof.

Vent Free – Alpine will not sell vent free heaters due to safety concerns.

Blowers
Blowers are standard on insert models and models with the Comfort Control.  They are an option on stoves and zero clearance models.  Blowers are variable speed and are automatically turned on and off based on the temperature of the firebox.

Ignition Systems
Standing Pilot – The pilot flame runs all the time creating “millivolts” of electricity for the gas valve and thermostat to operate from.  These do not require outside electricity to operate, making them a nice backup heat source.  Also, the pilot flame keeps the flue warm so they draft properly when the flame comes on.

Electronic Ignition – The pilot flame only runs when the fireplace is turned on.  These require outside electricity to operate, so they are not as versatile of a backup heat source.  And sometimes getting a draft started on a cold flue can be a hassle.  For these reasons we do not recommend this feature.

Why Choose Alpine?

• As compared to a home improvement store our technicians and installers are trained to work with natural gas, propane, and venting systems all the time.  We are licensed to install the gas line, so we can take care of the whole project ourselves.
• We have several working models in our showroom so you can see what you are getting before you buy it.