Q – I think I am tired of buying cords of wood, stacking that wood, moving it in the house while it’s raining, and scooping ashes.  What are my alternatives?

John in Decatur

A – If you are truly tired of all the above – and a lot of people are – then welcome to the world of gas logs.

Gas logs are a great way to enjoy the beauty and heat of a fireplace, without the mess.

Gas logs come in two types – vented and non-vented.  Each style has its own pros and cons.

Vented Gas Logs.

- Provide a rich look and yellow flame like real wood.

- You can use them in a regular wood burning fireplace with the damper open to vent the gas fumes.

- Won’t provide as much heat as regular wood or even as much as non-vented gas logs.

- Some minor maintenance could be necessary.

Non-vented Gas Logs

- Produce a flame that is generally not as full and colorful as vented logs.

- Does not require a chimney.

- Operates at 99.9% efficiency.

- Provides a good back-up heat source.

- Logs should come with an Oxygen Depletion Sensor which will shut off the gas logs if oxygen levels become too low in the home.

- You should install a CO detector as well to monitor for too much carbon dioxide in the home.

- Can introduce moisture into your home, and should be stopped on occasion to allow fresh air replenish. It is not a bad idea to have a window near the fireplace open a crack during their use.

Make sure you have your logs professionally installed and serviced to make sure they will work at an optimum level.

While both work well, I prefer the vented gas logs. There is something about burning gas in my house without ventilation that just doesn’t sit well with me.

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