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WHAT IS A DIRECT VENT FIREPLACE?
Direct-Vent system uses two vent pipes. One draws air in from outdoors to support combustion. The other exhausts the by-products of combustion to the outside. The two vent pipes may be concentric (exhaust pipe within a larger diameter intake pipe) or co-linear (separate pipes of about the same size).
Combustion takes place inside a sealed chamber – with a glass front in the case of a fireplace. Room air circulates around the combustion chamber, often assisted by a blower, to heat the room.
A DV system is often installed along an outside wall to simplify the vent run, but can also be installed elsewhere in the home and vented through the roof.
Advantages:
- Good efficiency – 60 to 80%
- Good heat output with thermal transfer through the glass and air circulation
- Separates room air from combustion air
- May be used as primary heat source
- Can operate with a remote or thermostat
- Most systems can provide live-saving heat during a winter power outage
- Choose fireplace, insert, cast iron stove, or heater
WHAT IS A VENT FREE FIREPLACE?
A Vent-Free system uses room air for combustion and delivers 99.9% of the available heat energy directly to the room. VF systems have an unmatched safety record, thanks in part to their clean-burning technology and their Oxygen Depletion Sensor, which instantly shuts of the valve if oxygen in the room drops to and unsafe level. Because no venting is required, VF systems offer more installation options.
VF systems are limited to 40,000 Btu and must be operated as supplemental heating sources in conjunction with a central furnace that circulates air.
Advantages:
- Unmatched efficiency – 99.9%
- Offers the most installation versatility
- Usually less expensive to buy and to install
- Can operate with a remote or thermostat
- Most systems can provide live-saving heat during a winter power outage
- Choose fireplace, insert, heater, cast iron stove, burner and log set, or contemporary burner
WHAT IS A GAS INSERT?
Direct-Vent Fireplace Inserts are classified as zone heating appliances. Zone heating is inherently more efficient than your existing wood-burning fireplace or your central furnace.
Unlike a central furnace, which wastes 20 to 30 percent of the heat energy through ductwork losses and sends much of the remaining heat to unoccupied rooms, zone heating creates and transmits the heat directly into the room. This lets you turn down your whole-house thermostat and use your fireplace insert to efficiently warm the room you use most.
WHY BUY FROM CHiCAGO GAS FIREPLACE COMPANY INSTEAD OF THE INTERNET?
We offer an 18 month guarantee on all of our products. If the customer has any issue with their grill, we have a policy for a free service call to correct the issue. In addition, we will take care of any warranty paperwork that would be required. If you have a problem, we are close by to solve it.
HOW DID YOU DECIDE ON WHAT BRANDS OF FIREPLACES TO CARRY?
Chicago Gas Fireplace Company’s staff has years of experience with over 30 different brands of fireplaces. We have carefully selected each brand of fireplace based on serviceability, longevity, warranty, value, functionality & visual appeal. In addition, we have come up with a diverse range of fireplaces with unique capabilities to suit each customer.
WILL YOU INSTALL A FIREPLACE THAT IS NOT PURCHASED FROM CHICAGO GAS FIREPLACE COMPANY?
We will not install any fireplaces that are not purchased from us. However, if you need a natural gas line run, our parent company, Chicago Gas Lines, can install your gas line. We also will service a fireplace not purchased from us for a fee starting at $129.
WHAT IS YOUR SERVICE AREA?
Chicago Gas Fireplace Company will travel within a 30 mile radius of Arlington Heights. Exceptions will be made on large jobs but not on service.
DO YOU HAVE A BRICK AND MORTAR SHOWROOM?
We do not have a brick and mortar showroom at the moment.
We are currently working on building mobile fireplace showrooms that will come directly to your home.
WHAT IS YOUR SALES TAX?
Since we are based in Arlington Heights, IL, our sales tax for instate purchases is 10% on our products.
DO YOU WORK ON CHIMNEYS?
We feel that chimneys are a completely different aspect of a fireplace. The extent of our chimney work is to install lock top dampers on your existing chimney. We do not offer any chimney cleaning or repair. We like to stick to what we are good at.