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Good Question: Recommendation for Fireplace Gas Insert?

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I have two great fireplaces in my 1880s house in Cambridge that I'd like to get working again, preferably with gas inserts. The semi-oval shape of the opening and small size (about 25" wide on bottom, 31" tall in the middle) seem pretty common in the area. We're planning on using a licensed pro for the install, but I'd like to go into the shopping / bid process armed with the knowledge necessary to get the best product and deal for us...

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In my online research, I've found loads of gas inserts, but most seem designed for larger, squarer fireplaces in newer construction. Does anyone in the AT Boston community any leads on gas inserts for small, rounder fireplaces? If anyone has an insert, could you tell me the manufacturer? Can anyone recommend a dealer and/or installer? Please excuse the poor quality of the 'day of purchase' photos. Thanks!

(Include a pic of your query and your question gets posted first! Email questions and pics with QUESTIONS in subject line to: boston (at) apartmenttherapy (dot) com)

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Comments (5)

Try contacting Valor. They are the only sealed units/direct vent units that I could find that could fit my old Victorian fireplace. I have had trouble finding a local company (in Philly) that carries their product and are knowledgable but I did contact Valor directly a while back with questions and they were very helpful. I haven't actually bought one of these but I plan on ordering one sometime soon. It looks like their windsor and classic arch lines might fit your fireplace. Alternately you could get a gas log that is open (typically much less efficient if you are interested in getting very much heat from the fireplace).

http://www.valorfireplaces.com/products/portrait_windsor.php

posted by HeidiS on February 10th 2009 at 12:44pm
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Hi there, a great place to ask is Black Magic in Cambridge. They are near Alewife and the Fresh Pond area (near that Whole Foods). They are wonderful and not only inspect and clean chimneys, but they also sell inserts and fireplaces. They are super professional and have been around for years and won't try to sell you something just to make a buck. I've used them to clean my chimney for a few years and have been really pleased. Since you live so close, I'd print a pic and just walk in there and talk to them. Here's their website:
http://www.blackmagicchimney.com/

good luck!
Jeanine

posted by j9brennan on February 10th 2009 at 1:30pm
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My library has a 1927 era brick fireplace that our gas company "gassified" for us (as a donation) during the Library's centennial in 2007. It stinks, we can't use it. When we turn it on, the downdraft caused by the shape of the fireplace spreads the smell of gas across the room, making staff queasy. We are eventually going to get some kind of hood or baffle added, but for now it's just a frustrating unusable problem. Ours is not sealed, it's just a gas log with venting, and normally it would have worked fine, except that it doesn't.

So I strongly advise you to get expert professional advice on your exact situation -- have somebody come look at the fireplaces and give you estimates and explain your retrofit issues. (Then you can comparision shop with knowledge, if you want to.)

posted by SherryBinNH on February 10th 2009 at 2:49pm
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Finding a full insert that will fit that shape exactly will be tough to say the least. We've had clients build new masonry fireplaces with gas plumbing and fake logs. There was no "insert", just the flame and the logs sitting in the plain masonry opening, just like a regular fireplace. You may want to speak to a plumber about doing something like that.

posted by elissa on February 10th 2009 at 2:50pm
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Take a look at www.gascoals.net

They have a good selection of gas coal basket insert designed for smaller victorian fireplaces.

posted by FrankM on February 10th 2009 at 4:02pm
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