Gas Fireplace Inserts and Gas Logs in Seattle

A gas insert is a sealed firebox with a glass front, built to fit into an existing masonry fireplace. It draws combustion air from outside and sends exhaust out through two thin pipes run up the old chimney. It heats the room far better than an open fireplace and turns on with a switch or remote. Gas logs are simpler: a burner and ceramic logs set into the open firebox, mostly for the look of a fire.

In the Puget Sound area there is a second reason to choose gas. The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency says natural gas and propane stoves and inserts are OK to use during both Stage 1 and Stage 2 burn bans, while wood fireplaces are off in both. A gas insert gives you a fire on the days a ban is in place.

Signs you need this

• A wood fireplace you rarely use because of burn bans
• A cold room around the fireplace all winter
• Wanting a fire without hauling, storing and drying wood
• Gas already at the house for the furnace or stove
• An old ventless or worn-out gas unit to replace

How we do it

1. Check and measureAt the free inspection we check the fireplace, flue and crown, measure the firebox and note where gas can come from.
2. Plan gas and ventingWe confirm the gas line route and the permits involved. A direct-vent insert gets a coaxial liner up the chimney.
3. InstallThe insert is set and connected, the vent is run to the top, and the surround is fitted to close off the old opening.
4. Light and explainWe light it, check the flame and the venting, and show you the remote, the pilot and the yearly service it needs.

Gas insert or gas logs?

Gas logs in an open fireplace typically cost $500 to $2,000 installed. They look like a fire but give off little heat, and the damper has to stay clamped open. A direct-vent gas insert typically costs $2,000 to $8,000. It is sealed from the room, uses outside air, and sends real heat into the house. If you want heat, the insert is the better choice. If you want the look, gas logs may be enough.

Which permits does a gas insert need?

Seattle's mechanical permit covers new heating and venting equipment, but SDCI says it does not cover gas lines, which need a separate permit. Bellevue says a permit is required for fireplace inserts and for a new gas line or a change to an existing one, and it names gas fireplace logs as an example. We tell you which permits apply to your address and plan the install around them.

Can gas logs be used during a burn ban?

PSCAA's guidance names natural gas and propane stoves and inserts as OK during Stage 1 and Stage 2 bans. Gas logs burn the same fuel and make no wood smoke. If you want the answer for your exact device in writing, the agency's main line is 206-343-8800, and its burn ban line is 800-595-4341.