Fireplace Experts: Want to Install Gas Logs - is this ok

[Tidybuoy]

I previously asked about pipe dope on another thread but plans have changed. This is for a rental duplex. One unit has a regular wood burning fireplace with normal brick construction. I assumed the 2nd unit was the same but it turns out to be entirely different.

I've attached photos below:

This fireplace has "brick looking tiles" and I wouldn't be caught dead burning wood in this unit. Closeup inspection and it looks very cheap and I now believe that this is for gas only.

I'm going to buy a gas burner/log setup and install and this will be a gas only fireplace. I just wanted to confirm with the forum experts (prior to me visiting a fireplace store). I'm assuming this is a vented unit since it has a flu that opens/closes. The chimney appears to be a steel pipe that runs up and out the roof (looks like a normal wood paneled chimney from outside),

Lastly, this fireplace has vents below the firebox. It that just for intake air or decoration?

Any comments?

[Tidybuoy]

This is the chimney from the outside:

[cabmandone]

Looks like it was a gas log to begin with based on that pipe cap in the right hand side of the pic. Some inserts had a gas valve that you could access by removing those louvers on the bottom.

[Zeke]

Gas valve looks to be on the right side in the wall. If it was my rental I'd install a modern efficient self contained unit designed to use outside combustion air and through-the-wall exhaust. Having a open fireplace these days (even with only gas logs) is kinda irresponsible (wasteful) and dangerous.

At the very least, put in a glass front.

Ask your insurance person before proceeding.

[craigster59]

Since you mentioned it being a rental, I'd be inclined to leave it capped and decorate with fake plants. Only drawback to that is you leave it open to a renter DIY'ing a setup and it could be mickey moused.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by craigster59

Since you mentioned it being a rental, I'd be inclined to leave it capped and decorate with fake plants. Only drawback to that is you leave it open to a renter DIY'ing a setup and it could be mickey moused.

Right. And the only way to ensure that is to remove the gas piping.

[look 171]

Rental? I leave it capped and be done with it. That's just me. Can't predict what renters will do. Next thing you know, they will be BBQing a pig in that space? Less things to go wrong.

[fintstone]

The vent is so you can put a fan under there to blow out heated air. If you take that panel off, there may be a manufacturer plate and model number under there where you can get more details.

Your plumbing is likely/typical for a gas log starter...but it will work fine with a gas log.

You can probably use any small gas log rated for a prefab fireplace (that will physically fit). You will probably want a vent-free one. You can use one of those in a vented or vent-free install. It is good to fill the hole so they don't burn wood (cheap pine will creosote it up and it will need cleaning and be a fire hazard). The wire screen is enough unless you have some odd code where you live. Gas does not have the flying ember problem. Most renters will only use it once or twice and decide it is too much effort.

[dad911]

Agree with Look. There is a model number or ID somewhere on that firebox. I would not install anything that isn't rated/certified/oem for that box, and I'd have the flue inspected.

Is that round plate to the right of the firebox a valve? It would be an additional shutoff, and works with a key.

It would look like this:

[stevej37]

^^^ from Look's post

[craigster59]

Originally Posted by look 171

Rental? I leave it capped and be done with it. That's just me. Can't predict what renters will do. Next thing you know, they will be BBQing a pig in that space? Less things to go wrong.

Had a tri-plex in Frazier Park, one unit had a fireplace.

Had to evict a renter, he had taken all the trim moulding from interior doors and windows and burned it in the fireplace. Also rattle canned the carpeting to change the color.

Glad I'm not a landlord anymore.

[porsche930dude]

we have a ventless insert got if from hd about 6 years ago. installed it ourselves. procom brand. looks like they dont have it anymore. Love it and use it almost everyday. Its like this one without the wood https://www.homedepot.com/p/ProCom-42-in-Ventless-Dual-Fuel-Gas-Fireplace-in-Chestnut-Oak-with-Thermostat-170096/306111398

[look 171]

Originally Posted by stevej37

^^^ from Look's post

Gettin' hungry.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by craigster59

Had a tri-plex in Frazier Park, one unit had a fireplace.

Had to evict a renter, he had taken all the trim moulding from interior doors and windows and burned it in the fireplace. Also rattle canned the carpeting to change the color.

Glad I'm not a landlord anymore.

I jsut fail to understand why people do that siht to things they do not own? Those people suck.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by look 171

Gettin' hungry.

They should have clipped those ears off. Dogs love em.

[gacook]

Originally Posted by craigster59

had a tri-plex in frazier park, one unit had a fireplace.

Had to evict a renter, he had taken all the trim moulding from interior doors and windows and burned it in the fireplace. Also rattle canned the carpeting to change the color.

Glad i'm not a landlord anymore.

wtf?!?

[stevej37]

^^^ That's nothing.
I lived next to a rental in the 80's that had two non-working males living in it.
In the cold MI winter, they burned up every piece of furniture to stay warm.
The landlord never found out until spring...when they left.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Tidybuoy

I previously asked about pipe dope on another thread but plans have changed. This is for a rental duplex. One unit has a regular wood burning fireplace with normal brick construction. I assumed the 2nd unit was the same but it turns out to be entirely different.

I've attached photos below:

This fireplace has "brick looking tiles" and I wouldn't be caught dead burning wood in this unit. Closeup inspection and it looks very cheap and I now believe that this is for gas only.

I'm going to buy a gas burner/log setup and install and this will be a gas only fireplace. I just wanted to confirm with the forum experts (prior to me visiting a fireplace store). I'm assuming this is a vented unit since it has a flu that opens/closes. The chimney appears to be a steel pipe that runs up and out the roof (looks like a normal wood paneled chimney from outside),

Lastly, this fireplace has vents below the firebox. It that just for intake air or decoration?

Any comments?

Our old home had a chimney that was added by the PO who had been my wife's stepfather when she was younger. He owned a construction company that did non-residential (I think he did a bunch of construction for NASA). Those "tiles" inside the fireplace look the same as what was in our old fireplace. We burned plenty of wood in the fireplace and never had an issue. Those blocks, at least in our fireplace, were dense and substantial.

I think you could use that for wood no problem. Ours had vents on the sides, but not underneath, IIRC. Actually, that looks pretty similar to our old fireplace.

[Tidybuoy]

Originally Posted by porsche930dude

we have a ventless insert got if from hd about 6 years ago. installed it ourselves. procom brand. looks like they dont have it anymore. Love it and use it almost everyday. Its like this one without the wood https://www.homedepot.com/p/ProCom-42-in-Ventless-Dual-Fuel-Gas-Fireplace-in-Chestnut-Oak-with-Thermostat-170096/306111398

Thanks for the tip. I was looking at much more expensive models and was suffering sticker shock. The Home Depot models are fine for what I need and actually look pretty nice.

Regarding some of the other posts.....I am going to complete this fireplace with a gas log setup in an effort to prevent a future tenant from having a wood log fire which could end up in a whole building fire. I also screen my tenants thoroughly so I have never had any of the horror stories that I've seen posted.

No I just need to figure out what size to buy. Anyone know how that ratio works? My fire box is 36" wide at the front and 25" wide in the rear and 18.5" deep. I'm not sure if I need an 18" log set or 24"

[wdfifteen]

How much more rent do you get from a gas fireplace room vs an electric pseudo fireplace? What is the difference in insurance?