Gas Fireplace in a High-Performance Home
Lazenby
| Posted in Green Products and Materials on
My wife and I are building a 2200 sq foot home in southern Ontario. Building zone 6. She has her heart set in a gas fireplace in the main floor living room on the 17’ long feature wall with mantle and built in shelving. He’s the problem. The house is heated with hydronics and has a total heating load of 30 000btuh. I’m concerned with overheating if we then put in even a small gas fireplace as they seem to be a min of 18-20 000 btu. Am I wrong to be worried about this? If not are there any options available?
Thanks in advance for your help!
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Replies
Superior makes some low output models.
Maybe talk to the HVAC contractor about how you can add some outside air if needed when running the fireplace.
The fireplace can be viewed as a backup heat source
If you select one of the linear fireplaces much more of the heat will go up the flue and less in the house. Some of the Heat & Glo unit have an optional thermostatic fan that will pull heat from the unit and allow you to connect a duct and dump the hot air away from the unit or outdoors.
It would not be the end of the world if while the wife was enjoying the fireplace and someone felt to warm they could crack a window open.
Consider locating the fire place on an interior wall that will make insulating and air sealing much easier
Walta
Unrelated to the question -- but I couldn't help laughing at that photo! A sizeable stack of wood next to a sealed gas fireplace... gotta love marketing!