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Building a Home

Did you do a gas log fireplace in new house?

13 years ago

If so, did you have to let it burn for several hours to "cure" it? It was suggested to me to let it run for 6 hours with a fan going and nearby windows open to burn-off the "new-ness" on the inside. That seems like such a waste of propane! (It's a direct-vent, if that matters)

Thanks

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Comments (9)

sue36
13 years ago
Suggested by whom? I would follow the directions in the manual. Ours is a direct vent and I don't remember having to do that, but it was 5 years ago.
tracey_b
Original Author
13 years ago
The guy who came and installed the logs after we moved in is the one who told us to do it. I'll have to go find the manual and read it again.
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I wish someone would answer you, I was going to post something similar myself. We have a contract on a home and I had the chimney inspected today (realtor says I'm the only person in her entire career to have a chimney inspection, but you'll see why) Inspector told me the flue tiles needed to be replaced and the to reline a chimney was about $4K-$5K or could have the tiles that needed to be repaired which iwas about half that price - he wasn't positive on pricing as he does not do this type of work. He actually called me back and the low end pricing from the company gave him a guesstimate of $1500-$2500 depending on what I decided to actually have done. Originally, this was a wood burning chimney and now is gas. I know there was an issue with the damper not opening correctly and was having the owners clean it out before the inspection. Due to the issue above, he didn't do the cleaning - not until we decided what to do about the flue issue. Anyhow, I'm not putting out any more money on the home, it would be the owners who'd have to repair. My realtor called me back a little while later and said the listing agent spoke to the owners and came up with what they think would be a solution - a vent free gas fireplace. Since I'm a Floridian who's never had a fireplace in her life, I know nothing about any of this. I'm trying to find out if what they are proposing, how it differs from the gas fireplace that's there already. Will what they put in look the same as what's there now? They claim it's more energy efficient. I'm glad you are asking the questions you did above because I wouldn't have known to ask them, so I really hope someone knowledgable will answer. In the meantime, I was given the name of a guy who does gas fireplaces for a living. Will try to reach him and if I can , ask those questions and let you know what I may be able to find. If I go with the ventless, I'm still having them clean out the damper. With it not opening all the way, that means cool air is still coming in, and in summer, cool are is going out. Please let me know if you came across any info. THANKS!!!
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Ron Natalie
13 years ago
I didn't do that with my heatilator. Didn't have any problem.
chiefneil
13 years ago
My builder actually did this for me. He had them going on the day we did our walkthrough and you could definitely smell it.
david_cary
13 years ago
Do it - they smell for awhile. Given the temps, do it before you are there since you do need the windows open. We moved in July and the builder did it some before we moved in and then we did it again in the fall.

Always a good idea to know your running cost. Mine is $.10 an hour. Is getting rid of the smell worth 50 cents to you? Now - our is NG so maybe $1.25 for you.

1 year in and it still smells on first startup of the season. Next fall I'll have to remember that although an hour is probably all that is needed each winter after the first.
dakota01
13 years ago
Funny - but, my builder just told me TODAY that I should burn mine for a few hours w/the windows open. He said oil/paints/etc need to burn off. Said I may even see some smoke coming from it.
mainecoonkitty
13 years ago
Wow! Thanks for the info, guys! I don't use mine very often because the smell gives me a headache. I thought it was because it was a direct vent and maybe I made a mistake not having it vented to the outside. I doubt mine was ever properly broken in and since we've been in the house less than 2 yrs, that's probably the problem! I think I'll pick a day that I can open up the windows and let it burn for a few hrs ot see if that helps.

Thanks for the info!
david_cary
13 years ago
maine - direct vent is vented to the outside. Ventless is not. They make them but generally ventless is a bad idea.
mythreesonsnc
13 years ago
We put in a direct vent during a remodel several years ago. On the day I turned it on, it smelled and smoked quite a bit, but I expected that. What I didn't know was that our GC cut corners in the installation and didn't install the "firestop." So what I was smelling was actually smoke and burning from a fire in the walls. But, I had no idea and opened the windows to air it out, which fed the fire and our entire addition burned down! Luckily everybody was safe. I am repeating this story because, yes, it can smell, and it is a good idea to run it at a time when you don't care about the smell --- it should be an oily burn off smell, not sure how to describe exactly. If you smell fire though, and have excess amounts of smoke, you might actually have a fire somewhere! I would ideally have it run / tested by the installer / GC.

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