gas stoves & Installation

Gas stoves are now a common and popular home heating solution.

They are in close competition with wood stoves, pellet stoves, modern fireplaces and inserts with some advantages and disadvantages.

They are practical, efficient, safe, pollute very little, can be installed almost anywhere in the house, require little maintenance and copy almost perfectly wood burning look, but the high prices of natural gas and propane raise some questions.

Gas stoves & Fuel

Gas stoves are designed to burn natural gas or propane. Natural gas is by large the most widely used fuel in gas stoves. Propane is mostly used in locations and when natural gas is not… available.

Some stoves can operate on either natural gas or propane, but the type of fuel to use has to be defined when installing the appliance. After installation the stove will only use the fuel previously chosen, though in some cases and models the user can use a simple conversion kit to change the fuel source.

Non-vented gas stoves

There are two types of gas stoves: vented and vent-free. Vent-free gas stoves has obvious advantages in terms of prices and installation (since they do not require a chimney or other outside venting) but they pose air quality concerns and safety issues. EPA – the North American Environmental Protection Agency –, for instance, doesn't support unvented stoves, due precisely to indoor air quality concerns.

Vented gas stoves

Vented stoves can be top-vented or direct-vented. Top venting can be achieved through an existing chimney or an aluminum gas pipe; direct-venting is usually achieved through the wall behind the stove or the ceiling above it.

Gas Stoves & Features

Besides the basic features associated with gas stoves styles and designs (top-vented, direct-vented, vent-free, etc.) other common features include: wall thermostats (or remote control devices, to control the delivery of heat), variable speed blowers, glass doors or, in some cases, adjustable flame height and heat output.

Gas stoves & Environment

Gas stoves are a good environmental option. They pollute very little, and are infinitely preferable to traditional fireplaces and other traditional heating appliances. But, obviously,there are other more environmental choices.

Gas stoves & Aesthetics

Today’s gas stoves reproduce the fireplace wood burning look almost perfectly and are presented in a huge array of designs, styles (traditional, contemporary, art deco, mission, etc.), colors and finishes to fit with multiple room decor.

Gas stoves prices

Prices vary a lot. You will easily find good gas stoves in the range $1,000-$2,000, though it all depends on power, models and particular options, styles and details. Anyway, the price of the stove itself is only a part of a wider cost. You should also include the installation and the chimney cost (unless you choose a vent-free stove).

Operational/fuel costs

Recent rises in gas prices have rendered pellet stoves and wood and pellet fireplace inserts particularly competitive and good alternatives to gas stoves.

Maintenance

Regular maintenance is highly advisable. Organizations as HPBA recommends an annual inspection by a qualified technician.

Gas stove installing and location

Gas stoves are easy to install and to locate. They allow multiple locations and possibilities, but, obviously, they shouldn’t be installed near drapes or doors and other combustible stuff or too near the walls (the distance from the walls depends on the model and stove power, and on the type of walls; 4 inches/10 cm minimum is highly advisable…)

Gas stoves size and location

Choosing the gas stove size depends basically on the amount of heat you need. There are a wide number of sizes, and you should choose according with the heat required by the rooms you want to heat.

Buying a gas stove

The right gas stove is the one that fits your specific needs, which depend on your climate, room dimensions, the openness of your house or the house walls, etc.

An experienced and knowledge dealer advice may be the best way to base your decision. A good dealer can also arrange a safe and reliable installation of the gas stove through a certified installer.

Gas Stove Image Credit: HPBA