Please make me feel better about a ventless gas fireplace!
Phobie Privett
17 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (15)
formulaross
17 years agoRelated Discussions
Tell me about your Ventless fireplace...pros-cons
Comments (4)There are so many mixed feelings about this that no one can answer your question really. I'm no expert really, but I can say this: I love ventless units I have one in my new house, I hate vented gas log sets of any kind because they waste gas in my opinion. In 13 years I have responded to a few CO calls avoer furnaces but never once a set of ventless logs, heaters or anything. Ventless units burn the same air vented units do, it all comes from inside the house both primary and secondary air, only Direct vent units do not fall into this category. A vented unit can burn the air up in a room just as fast as a ventless can, and either have to be sized correctly for where they are going, or make-up air provisions made. Ventless need annual cleaning and inspecting to make sure they stay clean....See MoreTell Me About Nat. Gas Generators
Comments (11)I am not sure about the "two 12's". I do know that Kohler makes a 12RES (yes - that is the one you want) and a 12RESL (the one they make for Lowe's - PLEASE don't buy that one). I have always taken "standby" to mean ready to go within seconds of a power failure, automatic start and automatic transfer of power. An emergency geneator could be a portable unit - I just don't know. If you can get a Kohler 12RES installed with automatic transfer switch (and I mean complete turnkey install INCLUDING the startup service) for 8 grand then that would be a great deal. I think anything under 9 for the 12RES aith ATS would be reasonable. Make sure they put on those accesories I mentioned as part of the price. The battery warmer is just a fancy heat blanket to keep the battery from freezing. The carb heater is very simple to install - took me 30 minutes and that included reading the instructions. And with Chicago temps you have to have one of these (cost of carb accesory is $130). Buy a good battery like a Sears Die Hard - don't chince on that - they run about 75 bucks. My opinion is that if you buy a great machine - and the Kohler units are high quality - you don't need a service agreement. You must change the oil, oil filter, and air filter once per year but you could pay a local mechanic to do that - takes no more than 1 hour at most. When the machine gets older, maybe then a service agreement would make more sense. These generators are basically a high end lawn mower engine connected to a coil unit. So if you can find a local grease monkey who services lawn mowers, they can do the basic routine maintenance on the engine. Note - do not let this person touch any electrical or electronics issue, let the dealer handle those non routine issues which should be few and far between. My experience is that Kohler makes it hard to do anything on the generators yourself - they really try to push you to the dealers. I think that is not necessarily a bad thing since it is the dealers who sell their machines and they have a great reputation to keep up which Kohler counts heavily on the dealers for that. But it stinks for the DIYer like me. I had to search very hard to find a place that would sell me Kohler generator parts in low quantities and without extra fees. If you need a source for Kohler genny parts let me know. The startup service is a great example. After I bought my machine from Ziller, I got a scare-gram from Kohler that said that I should have a dealer do the Startup Service or it "might void my warranty". In this note, Kohler provided a very long checklist to make me think the startup service was a huge deal. So I fell for the scare and called a dealer to schedule a "Start Up Service" and it was $1000 !!!!! I almost crapped in my pants. So then I carefully read the Startup checklist and discovered it was a joke - most of the items were like "Check For Leaks" - simple. I bought a $25 volt meter at Lowe's and made all the measurements and few adjustments myself. Turns out that when I started up my Kohler for the first time it needed a very slight adjustment in voltage and no adjustment in frequency (these are the 2 key parameters). So I did the entire checklist in about 1.5 hours working very carefully and slowly and saved myself 1000 bucks. So be careful on what you buy. I suggest first agreeing on a price for installing the unit and setting it up. Make sure it includes EVERYTHING (unit, auto transfer switch, concrete pad, wiring, trenching, permits & inspections, accesories and STARTUP) and tell them that you will think about service after that job is done. If they give you a price for $150 to $200 to come out once a year and change oil & filters and check the machine over - then that is up to you (maybe it is worth it to not deal with that chore). But if it is anything above $200 per year, I would not do it - just my opinion - but would not tell them that until after the unit is up and running....See MoreIs a gas oven/range better for resale value than electric?
Comments (45)I have had gas and electric ranges over the years, but for the last 30+ I have cooked on electric until I moved and our new condo had a gas range. Everyone was all agog over it and told me I would LOVE the gas range that it was so much better than electric. For the last 20 years before our move, I cooked on smooth top electric ranges and loved them! But everyone kept telling me gas was better. Turns out, I DO NOT love the gas range. It doesn't boil water as fast as my electric one did and seems to take forever to preheat the oven. And I've had a hard time adjusting to the fact that if I don't use hot pads to remove my pans off the stove top, I'll burn my hands. And don't leave your stirring spoon in the pot for more than a second if you don't want to burn off a finger or two. My cookies don't rise -and they're either not done enough or too done, can't get it just right like before. AND the worst part is cleaning it! That's the main reason I switched to a smooth top all those years ago - they take a little getting used to the different cleaning method, but when you learn the tricks, they're a breeze compared to the old coil or this gas behemoth! It takes me a good hour to clean around all the burners and try to be careful not to get cleaner or food down those little slots around the sides. And even using a degreaser detergent, it still looks greasy after going over it several times. Give me my smooth top back! . . . where I can just scrap off the burnt on food with a razor blade - or if there isn't anything burnt on, I can just wipe on a little cleaner and polish it off with a paper towel. When wiping down the countertops with a little dish soap, I can include the stovetop and keep it sparkling clean on a daily basis. I have severe arthritis in my hands and moving those heavy grates off the top and then the cleaning around all the little places is just a little too much for me (not to mention getting gunk off the grates). That is why, after 2 1/2 years of trying to get used to it, I have decided to replace my gas range with a brand new smooth top electric range. People tell me I must be CRAZY because I'm the only person they know who prefers electric over gas. The only thing I will miss is turning off the heat immediately when something boils over. So I will have to get used to moving the pan off again. But it's worth it to me to clean up a boil over on the smooth top vs. the gas burner-cover-slots thing. AND I'll have my wonderful convection oven back and maybe my cookies too!...See MoreFeeling the love: Gas Fireplaces
Comments (47)Actually in New York state you can have a ventless gas fireplace in your bedroom. (Its possible NYC has a different code) I was just reading the code yesterday. Up to 10,000 btus. Must have an oxygen sensor. There is a requirement based on the size of the room (air mass, you have to do a calc). So unless your bedroom is super tiny yes you can have a ventless gas in your bedroom. I just googled and found zero news stories on a ventless gas fireplace causing death unless it was a suicide. I don't think they are the best way to go but if you follow code and use common sense I don't see a problem. If we get one we only plan to use it occasionally on cold nights for about 15 min before bed. The room is large and opens to other rooms. Our house is dry to the little added moisture would be welcome. We are still researching as it is difficult to find one that is only 10,000 btus....See Morespeedmaster
17 years agosuperiorgirl2
17 years agogaryg
17 years agoPhobie Privett
17 years agousgirl
17 years agogaryg
17 years agojca1
17 years agoSeattlePioneer
17 years agoballyroebuck
17 years agoblue_fastback
17 years agobob_milos
15 years agofandlil
15 years agonhyankee
15 years ago
Related Stories
LIFE10 Feel-Better Things to Do on a Sick Day at Home
Nourish, pamper and heal yourself when a cold keeps you housebound, with these restorative ideas
Full StoryBATHROOM DESIGN12 Designer Tips to Make a Small Bathroom Better
Ensure your small bathroom is comfortable, not cramped, by using every inch wisely
Full StoryBEDROOMS14 Ways to Make Better Use of Bedroom Corners
These spots were made for nestling, storing, displaying and enjoying. Are you making the most of them?
Full StoryMOST POPULAR12 Key Decorating Tips to Make Any Room Better
Get a great result even without an experienced touch by following these basic design guidelines
Full StoryLIFEHouzz Call: What Makes Your House Feel Like Home?
Sometimes just one thing gives you that warm and fuzzy feeling. Let us know what it is for you
Full StoryMOST POPULAR8 Ways to Improve Your Grill Setup
Rethinking the old grilling station? Here’s how to pack more function and style into your backyard cooking zone
Full StoryGARDENING AND LANDSCAPING11 Ways to Make Your Sleeping Porch Even Better
Turn off that air conditioner and tune in to the delights of slumbering in the nighttime breeze
Full StoryFEEL-GOOD HOME10 Ideas to Make Every Day at Home a Little Better
Consider some simple changes and fun tips for brightening your world
Full StoryGARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES3 Ways Native Plants Make Gardening So Much Better
You probably know about the lower maintenance. But native plants' other benefits go far beyond a little less watering and weeding
Full StoryHOME OFFICES7 Ways to Make Your Home Office Work Better for You
Have more energy, be more productive and feel better while working at home with these ideas based on science
Full Story
garyg