To enjoy a live fire in your own living room, it is not at all necessary to lay a brick stove, prepare firewood and light a flame - traditional fireplaces are being replaced by new technologies that do not require any worries from you.
Gas fireplace
Gas fireplaces are one of the ways to experience the beauty of a quiet family evening in front of a burning fire.
They have a lot of advantages: they do not smoke, do not produce sparks, are easy to operate, silent and safe. At the same time, a gas fireplace, unlike a decorative one, looks absolutely natural and not only decorates, but also warms the room.
Design and principle of operation of a gas fireplace
There are different models of gas fireplaces for dachas on sale - both floor-standing and hanging, everything here depends on the design idea. But their device is the same. The main element of a heating device is the firebox; it can differ not only in shape, but also in volume. For the manufacture of the fireplace body, either steel with increased heat resistance or cast iron is used.
The inside of the device contains:
- burner;
- firebox with lining;
- reflector-reflector;
- screen (necessary for directing gas from the furnace to the burner).
The combustion chamber of the fireplace has a lining that prevents the development of the destructive process at elevated temperatures. Thanks to the design features of the unit, all its components are hidden behind fake logs made of ceramic or other heat-resistant material.
You can admire the flames through the heat-resistant glass of the door. Important! When heating a home with a gas fireplace, the fuel temperature can be around 650°C. The temperature of carbon dioxide, which is discharged outside through a special pipe, reaches almost 200 °C.
To remove smoke from the burning gas, a chimney is used, through which fresh air is supplied. That is why it is necessary to control the presence of traction in it. In apartments, the chimney is replaced with a stainless steel pipe.
The operating principle of a natural gas fireplace is quite simple. When the gas and spark appear, the combustion process begins, heating the room. Due to the selected mode on the control panel, the fireplace can either maintain a fire for beauty or decorative purposes, or heat the room to specific temperatures.
As soon as the temperature reaches a certain point, the heater automatically begins to reduce power. After cooling down it turns on again. To start the device, just press a button on the control panel.
Pros and cons of gas fireplaces
The demand for natural fuel fireplaces is explained by the presence of a whole range of positive aspects during its operation:
- Safe to use. Gas-powered units have a completely sealed housing, which prevents carbon monoxide from entering the living space.
- There is no need to constantly clean the chimneys and internal surfaces of the device from soot and soot during combustion.
- Working in automatic mode allows you to start a gas fireplace by pressing one button from the control panel on the front side or from the remote control. In addition, you can adjust the heating intensity.
- Compact sizes. The device does not require a large space, and there is no need to allocate space for storing firewood.
- Universal purpose. Gas fireplaces are great for heating apartments, cottages, and country houses.
- Possibility of operation of the unit from the main gas pipeline and from a cylinder.
- The efficiency of gas fireplaces is 85%.
- The power of the devices varies between 7-13 kW, fuel consumption is approximately 0.5 kg per 1 hour of operation. Such equipment is capable of heating a room of 200 square meters. m.
- Huge range of models, colors.
- Mobile gas boilers can be moved to any corner of the room without much difficulty.
- Unpretentiousness during operation.
- Quiet operation.
- No overheating of the case.
Gas-fired devices are easy to use and safe if you follow the basic installation rules
. Despite the whole list of advantages, gas fireplaces also have their disadvantages, including:
- high price;
- complex installation;
- the need to connect to the power grid;
- the first launch should be carried out only with permits from the gas and fire departments;
- A special place must be allocated for the cylinder in accordance with all safety rules.
Security
Gas is a flammable substance, but despite this, gas fireplaces are considered one of the safest devices. Thanks to a multi-level tracking system, any emergency situations will be prevented.
From movies we know of cases when the gas supply is stopped and then resumed, the room will be filled with a toxic substance. Of course, you need to remember this danger, but not in the case of a fireplace. The gas dosing system is equipped with a special pressure sensor. It reacts to a decrease in pressure in the line and will turn off the supply in case of discrepancy.
The carbon dioxide content in the room is constantly monitored by special atmospheric analyzer sensors. They have saved many lives in cases where the hood was not working correctly.
Infrared sensors are fireplace position sensors. They react if the device suddenly falls. To avoid causing a fire, the gas supply system is turned off.
Small mobile unit
Types of gas fireplaces
There are different types of device placement:
- Corner, they are mounted in the corner of the room.
- Built-in, located in a niche of the wall.
- Wall-mounted, which are mounted on the wall.
- Frontal.
Depending on the possibility of transportation, heating units can be in the form of portable gas fireplaces or stationary models.
If we classify by power, we distinguish between high-, medium- and low-power.
The variety of models allows you to choose the most suitable option for your home or apartment.
Depending on the type of fuel used, devices can run on natural gas or propane-butane.
In addition, gas fireplaces differ in the type of firebox opening:
- Devices with an open firebox. Thanks to this design of the unit, others have the opportunity to see the flames. Its efficiency indicators are up to 16%.
- Appliances with a closed firebox. The presence of a heat-resistant glass door allows you to observe the fire and increase efficiency to 70-80%.
According to the method of emitted heat, gas fireplaces can be as follows:
- With one-way radiation. This is the most common type of heating device, distinguished by a high level of heat transfer.
- With two-way radiation. Such units have a beautiful design, but they require a large volume of fresh air to function.
- With three-way radiation. Installations of this type have a presentable appearance, but due to the low degree of heat transfer they are most often installed as decorative gas fireplaces.
Important! Despite its many strengths, a gas fireplace without a chimney should be placed in an open area, in a country house. If you install it in a living space, it is imperative to provide for the removal of combustion products.
Total expenses
To understand the approximate amount of expenses, we suggest using the calculation formula:
- 1 m³ of firewood is capable of producing heat on average of 2300-2500 kW/h, with a fuel material moisture level of 12%. Propane – 6710 kW/h;
- The efficiency of a fireplace using bottled gas is 97%, while a wood-burning design can produce no more than 25-27%;
- 1 m³ of firewood costs about 1,500 rubles, the cost of propane-butane for the same volume is 19,000 rubles.
Thus, having these data and making an approximate comparison, it turns out that in order to obtain the equivalent amount of heat produced from firewood and bottled gas, you need 1.2 rubles and 1.1 rubles, respectively, for each type of fuel. It turns out that to heat your home with propane, you will spend no more money than on firewood. And taking into account the tariff for transporting firewood, propane will actually cost less.
How to choose the right gas fireplace for your garden
Before buying a specific model, you need to decide on the tasks it will perform: for decorative purposes or as a heating device for a country house. Low-power devices (3-5 kW) are perfect as interior decoration. If the installation is being considered for heating a living space, then the unit should be selected taking into account that 1 kW will be required for every 10 m - with a ceiling height of no more than 3 m.
Advice! As a device for heating a room, you should not give preference to open-type installations, since their efficiency is low and the power parameters are also small.
In specialized retail outlets there are many models with different body materials. But it is best to purchase devices made of stainless steel.
When choosing a device for heating a room, you need to take into account the area of the room and the presence of ventilation.
It is also important to consider fuel consumption if the installation will operate on liquefied propane. If a gas fireplace is used as a room decoration, this parameter will be approximately 5 times less.
It would be good if the device was automated, but such models cost an order of magnitude more. Additional fireplace options include: electric ignition, gas control, control panel, automatic mode setting.
Manufacturers
When purchasing gas equipment, it is important to choose not only a functional, but also a reliable unit, and the buyer usually places the greatest trust in trusted companies. Below is a brief overview of them.
Cheminees Philippe, France
A popular French company, time-tested, producing a wide range of models of any functionality, design and price. The line of this manufacturer, Cheminees Diffusion, allows you to choose an inexpensive but reliable fireplace that can become a decoration and effectively heat any home or cottage.
Gutbrod Keramik, Germany
The peculiarity of this company is its specialization in gas stoves designed for heating rooms. The history of the development and production of stoves from this company goes back one and a half centuries; these models are time-tested and have increased heat transfer, pleasant design and high efficiency.
Waco&Co, Belgium
The company, specializing in the production of wood-burning and gas fireplaces, including exclusive ones, is able to satisfy the most demanding needs. The company relies on original design, finishing with expensive materials, while at the same time their products are reliable and functional.
Element4, Netherlands
Gas fireplaces from this manufacturer are distinguished by their laconicism and modern design, the emphasis is on the beauty of a live fire, and simple finishing and a high level of automation make it possible to reduce firebox maintenance to a minimum. Thanks to a minimum of expensive finishing, heating devices from this manufacturer are affordable.
Gas fireplace installation
In order to correctly install a device for heating a living space, it is recommended to draw a plan in advance and have a manual for its arrangement, which is attached to the unit. According to the plan, you need to apply markings in the selected location and begin installation work:
- Floor-standing models are installed on a flat surface with a fireproof coating pre-laid on it. Walls that are very close to the unit should be covered with a metal foil screen or use brick, non-combustible stove, or ceramic tile.
- Wall-mounted devices must be secured using anchor bolts. First, the points for installation are designated, and then the holes are drilled.
- Built-in varieties are installed in a special niche made of brick; as an option, a metal frame (made of profiles) is suitable. For cladding, it is good to use tiles, which are fixed to the frame using special clamps.
- Models operating on liquefied gas also provide space for a cylinder. There are structures that already have space to accommodate such fuel tanks. To avoid troubles such as gas leaks when connecting to the mains, you need to use the services of a specialist from the local gas service.
To make a smoke channel, it is effective to use brick or other non-combustible material. The components of the chimney are placed inside the channel, and the firebox is connected.
For cladding built-in devices, you can use any type of finishing material. The main thing here is not to close the ventilation holes, which contribute to the rapid cooling of the unit. If you need to heat adjacent rooms, you will need to install air channels that will remove warm air from the firebox. Such channels can be made from fire-resistant plasterboard sheets.
How to make a gas fireplace with your own hands
It is quite possible to make a gas fireplace for your home with your own hands if you follow certain recommendations. The main element of the device is a gas burner; it must be installed in a metal structure by connecting the control valve to the cylinder through a flexible hose. Alternatively, you can install it in brickwork.
If you make a gas fireplace with your own hands, you can save a lot. You can buy refractory bricks for 45-50 rubles apiece, and to equip the firebox you will need only 2-3 dozen. To decorate the outer part of the combustion chamber, ordinary brick is suitable; it is often used to line the portal. A special fire-resistant mixture is used as a working composition. Upon completion, the chimney is completed and the burner is installed.
A DIY home fireplace will cost much less than a store-bought one; it can be made according to an individual project
Advice! To ensure that the gas supply from the cylinder or line is turned off in a timely manner in the event of a flame extinguishment, it is worth choosing a burner with a built-in thermostatic valve.
The cost of a metal fireplace will be equal to the price of an iron sheet; its thickness should be from 3 mm. Thinner metal will quickly burn out, which will require replacement soon. Any building materials are suitable for making a portal, or you can choose a ready-made option.
