A nice fire can make a lot of difference to the comfort and style of your home, particularly in the colder seasons. But if you’re considering upgrading from a wood-burning fireplace, or installing a new unit altogether, you may find yourself wondering about the safety of natural gas fireplace inserts. Are they as safe as people make it to be? What should one be careful about as a homeowner? And how do you ensure the insert that you select performs reliably for years?
In Fireside, we are experts at helping homeowners to choose the right fireplace insert for their needs as well as learning how to use it, maintain it and how to use it safely. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the safety of natural gas fireplace inserts, from key features to proper maintenance, so you can make an informed, confident decision for your home.
What Are Natural Gas Fireplace Inserts?
Before diving into safety, it’s important to understand exactly what natural gas fireplace inserts are. These are factory assembled, self-contained appliances which are meant to drop right into the firebox of a currently used wood burning fireplace. They are connected to the natural gas line of your house and are operated using a remote, wall switch, and thermostat.
In contrast to regular open fireplaces where most of the heat is lost through the chimney, a gas insert is a closed system that enhances energy efficiency but provides a constant source of heat. They provide real flames and can be customized with log sets, embers, and decorative liners in order to create the look and feel you want.
How Safe Are Natural Gas Fireplace Inserts?
When installed and maintained properly, natural gas fireplace inserts are extremely safe. As a matter of fact, they are deemed safer than a freely burning wood-burning fireplace for a number of reasons.
1. No Open Flame Exposure
Gas inserts are enclosed in a glass front and, therefore, there is no face-to-face contact with open flames and sparks. This goes a long way in ensuring that fire hazards in your home are minimized.
2. Reduced Risk of Carbon Monoxide
Since these inserts are direct-vent systems, combustion gases do not leak into your living space but are vented safely outside. This configuration would radically reduce the risk of dangerous carbon monoxide coming into your home – as long as the unit is installed properly and inspected properly.
3. No Creosote Buildup
Unlike wood-burning fireplaces, natural gas inserts do not produce creosote, a flammable material that accumulates in chimneys and causes chimney fires. The better burn of natural gas increases both safety and indoor air quality.
4. Over Heat Protection and Safety Shut-Off Valves
Most of the modern gas inserts come with in-built safety features like automatic shut-off, oxygen-depletion sensors, and overheating protectors. These systems track internal temperatures and oxygen levels, if anything gets hazardous, the system is shut down.
Frequently Raised Safety Issues (and the ways to counter them)
Although natural gas fireplace inserts are rather safe, one should be aware of the possible problems and should know how to avoid them.
Gas Leaks
Natural gas leaks are a hazard associated with any gas appliance, although they are rare. Signs are a smell of sulfur (rotten eggs), hissing sound, or damage to gas lines visible. If you ever have a suspicion of a leak, evacuate the house immediately and get in touch with your gas utility company.
How to prevent it: Have your insert professionally installed and inspected once a year. A technician who is licensed can make sure that everything is connected properly, and there are no components that are in the state of wear and tear.
Carbon Monoxide Concerns
Although direct vent inserts drastically minimize the risk, improper installation and blockage in the ventilation may lead to carbon monoxide exposure.
How to prevent it:Put a carbon monoxide detector next to the fireplace and ensure that it is tested periodically. Annual inspection will also make sure that the venting system is working properly.
Burns from Glass Surfaces
The glass in front of a gas insert could become dangerously hot, even up to 400 °F, creating a risk of burns, particularly for little children.
How to prevent it: Put a protective screen or safety barrier and educate children not to get near the unit when it is on. Some of the models even have an in-built safety screen.
Safety Tips of Using your Natural Gas Fireplace Insert
Safety maintenance is as much dependent on how one uses his or her insert as it is on the design of the insert. The following are smart habits to be followed by all homeowners:
- Schedule Annual Maintenance: Get a certified technician to inspect and clean your insert at least once a year.
- Keep Flammable Materials Away: Do not put furniture, curtains, and other decorations too close to your insert.
- Test Detectors Regularly: Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors once a month and replace batteries when they are in need of replacement.
- If You Smell Gas Do Not Use the Fireplace: If you smell the odor of gas, do not use the unit. Open windows, leave your house, and call emergency services.
- Follow Manufacturer Instructions: Always use the insert as it is intended and use any guidelines that come from the manufacturer.
Professional Installation Matters
Many safety issues with natural gas fireplace inserts stem from improper installation. This is not a do-it-yourself project – they involve knowing about gas line connections, ventilation systems, and building codes. A weakly installed natural gas insert may jeopardize the integrity of your fireplace or cause more gas leakages or inability to vent out.
That is why it is crucial to turn to the certified specialists who know well all the safety demands and performance requirements of the contemporary inserts.
How Fireside Assists You to Select and Use Safe Fireplace Insert
At Fireside, we go beyond selling top-rated gas fireplace inserts—we’re here to help you through every step of the process with safety and performance in mind. Here’s how we support homeowners:
- Expert Consultation: We’ll help you figure out your space and heating objectives so that you can choose an insert that fits your style and the needs of your home.
- Professional Installation:Our licensed installers make sure that your unit is connected and vended properly to meet local building and safeties codes.
- Maintenance Services: We provide annual fireplace tune-ups comprising check-up of gas connections, venting system inspection, cleaning inside, valve testing, and new ember material.
- Customer Education: We ensure you understand how to use and maintain your fireplace insert safely from day one.
If you choose to work with Fireside, you’re not simply upgrading your fireplace, but you are also getting peace of mind.
Safety You Can Count On
So, are natural gas fireplace inserts safe? The answer is a yes certainly – and especially when you work with professionals and adhere to the proper maintenance guidelines. With sealed combustion systems, automatic safety systems, no creosote and no ash, natural gas inserts provide a cleaner, more efficient and safer way of enjoying the warmth of a fire.
And when you do business with Fireside, you are getting the expertise, quality products, and the best service from a team that cares about your comfort and security. If you are all set to embrace a safer and smarter experience in a fireplace, we are here to take you through the process of making the switch.
In need of expert help to choose a natural gas fireplace insert? Call Fireside today and let us support you with planning your next project with confidence.