Has anyone put gas logs in? How much$$?

[ajwomic]

We have a wood burning fire place and are considering gas logs insert. Has anyone done this? If so, how expensive is it? What is your yearly cost to use? Does it help on you electric power bill?
Also, did you do it yourself or are there companies that install?
Thanks,
Alicia

 

[horseshowmom]

We did this, and it was one of the best things we ever did!

I have allergies, and it really helped getting rid of the wood burning fireplace (not to mention tracking in debris with the wood coming into the house).

We did ours fairly economically. I actually bought our gas log set on clearance at a Wal-Mart Supercenter (found them by accident) and paid under $30 (had been around $300). You might check with Home Depot or Lowes to find out when they will clearance their stuff too.

We hired someone to run the gas lines, etc. (didn't want to take any chances on the gas not being done correctly). Of course, the gas company inspected everything before hooking up the gas.

I don't know that it makes any difference in our electric bill, but it does a good job of keeping the living room warm (we don't have a blower on ours) and is beautiful to look at (very realistic in my opinion).

Personally, I consider it a great improvement over the wood buring version. In fact, we just got back from the Smokey Mtns., and I didn't even look at the cabins that had wood fireplaces when I got ready to make a reservation.

 

[minnie1928]

We've had a gas fireplace in the last 2 houses and never use them because of the cost. The first time we used it we thought it was so pretty, until we got the bill...yikes!

 

[MommaSnowwhite]

We have gas logs without a blower in our current house. We never use it - it seems like we are burning money when it is lit. Our last house had a gas fireplace with blower and it was awesome. It would help heat the house on those early fall days when putting the furnace on was silly, but the house was cold in the am.

I don't know the cost because it they were in the current house we purchased. We have been researching adding one with a blower and it can be really pricey. Anywhere from $2500-5000 depending on the unit.

 

[mikehn]

Are you looking for 'gas logs' or 'gas fireplace insert'? Both can be installed in your existing fireplace, but they are two totally different things. The gas logs are basically just gas burning logs that sit in your existing fireplace for 'looks'. They really do not output any substantial heat. A gas fireplace insert is a sealed, high efficiency heating appliance, that has gas logs inside it. It is basically a furnace. It is also installed in your existing fireplace, but with a built in blower and thermostat. Including installation, they run a few grand. Yes, they do suck up a lot of gas. But they output tremendous heat.

 

[Purseval]

Most builders in our area install inserts but not blowers. Fortunately they aren't hard to install yourself. The wiring is already in the insert, just find the model number and look for a blower supplier. Most of it is sticking the blower in place but you may have to drill a hole for the speed control. Easy and under $100.

 

[ajwomic]

Thanks! This has been educational. I assumed all produced heat and were not just for looks. I am cold natured and was looking for something to cut the chill. Our heat is set on 69 degrees and even with a blanket on the couch sometime I am freezing! I was going to get a small space heater to put in front of the sofa, but my hubby suggested we look in to to the gas logs option first. I think the insert and blower is what we what we would need, but that is high. I am guessing gas bills would be high too?
Alicia