Expensive to use now that gas is at 1.5 bucks a CCF, and going up, and environmentally unfriendly to boot.

At about 100,000 BTUs in a CCF and this thing running at about 40,000 BTUs per hour, you're looking at about 80 cents an hour to run the unit. So five hours of ambiance will cost you about 4 bucks and will cost the planet a bunch more CO2 in the atmosphere.

The literature is great - under "optional" items there are two that have the word "required" after them.

Finally, the coup d etat, the unit has an energy efficiency rating of 18.1 percent.

But hey, it's a stylish converstaion piece, eh?

Here's a good conversation starter . . .

Look at the monstrosity in my wall over there. It gobbles up loads of natural gas, produces little if any heat in the process, and spits out damaging CO2 into our atmosphere. Isn't that special?

Do the right thing . . . resist your biology.

Where did you find the info that you're referring to? I don't see anywhere where it says only 18% efficient. While I appreciate your taking the time to read my thread, click on the link and read about the fireplace, your comments are actually mean-spirited.

As I said above, I'd really like to hear from someone who owns one of these fireplaces and see how they feel about it, not from someone who's obviously very bitter about something, a fireplace? I read so much helpful advice on these boards but when I ask for a little help, this is what I get?

The very last page of the product literature on the official heat'n glo site states "18.1% efficiency". It is on the lower right-hand corner in a box.

Heat n'Glo is NOT a "better" brand. To confirm this further, I checked to see who carries these in my state. NOT to my surprise, no reputible stove/fireplace shops carry these. Only wholesale "builders" supply places carry these. That is a big give-away as to the low quality of this brand.

There are many other brands that have something similar that you would be happy with that wouldn't cost much more, if anything. I suggest you visit your local stove/fireplace shops and see what they offer. Also ask them about this particular fireplace. This brand is not a good choice. If you have read the other threads on this brand you will see that loud banging noises seems to be a problem in addition to paint problems.

Of course, you can purchase whatever you wish. We are just warning you about this particular brand.

I guess my post was a bit harsh.

I'm sorry about that.

Think about what I wrote, however.

I'll say it independent of you . . .

In this overcrowded world where it may occur this winter that some homes in the Midwest will not be able to get natural gas for lack of suppies, I think it is appalingly self-centered to consider installing a natural gas burnging unit that is not a high efficiency heating unit.

I think that we all have an obligation to each other, but more importantly to our children and theirs, to use as little energy as possible.

A gas decoration that is not only going to be an inefficient wall when not in use but also is going to do not much more than use up a limited resource and alter our climate at the same time is, to me, something that no caring person should ever consider buying.

Said differently, I think that buying that unit would be "mean spirited".

Most gas units are at least 80% efficient. I wonder if it's a typo. If it isn't I wouldn't even remotely consider this as a home decoration.

'I suggest you visit your local stove/fireplace shops and see what they offer. Also ask them about this particular fireplace.' Xanndra - I was at my local fireplace shop when they told me about this fireplace. She said it was very new. They also carry Heatilator, Fireplace Xtrordinair, & Napoleon. I've never owned a fireplace, much less shopped for one before, so I do appreciate everyone's input. Our budget is not huge, so we aren't going 'top of the line' on anything. But I also don't want junk. I'm so disappointed to hear that Heat N Glo is not a good brand. I really wanted that indoor/outdoor fireplace. But I also really like the one that's on the main page of Fireplace Xtrordianir's website.

Here is a link that might be useful: 864TRV Fireplace Xtrordinair

Hi Midwestmom,
I still believe HeatnGlow products are the most realistic looking burning and not burning. I have the FB Grand Propane Fireplace Insert. This is my 4th unit. I have had banging on ignition and peeling paint problems on the firebrick. So far so good with my fourth unit.
These problems are not isolated to HnG products only. Fireplace Xtradinoire and others have had similar problems, if you do enough research on them.
You should get what you really like the looks of. Like I said, HnG could use some polishing up in the quality control department, but I think alot of other companies can also do the same.
Fire Bug

Even if it was only 18 percent efficient, its not the job of this forum to police natural gas usage. It would be no worse then the old gas logs that are in millions of homes. Not to mention the olympics are buring enough gas to heat all our homes for at least a year.

Heat-n-Glo makes nice stuff with a wide range of quality. every thing from the builders box to high end custom stuff.

The twilight is a inovative unit that has a very specific aplication. There expensive and look nice.

I think the only company that I have read about on all these websites dealing with fireplaces and stoves that has just about 100% customer satisfaction with their products and their service is Woodstock Soapstone Co..
I am currenty in the market for a propane gas stove to replace my woodburner and they are looking better all the time.
Again, Heat&Glow makes beautiful products but I hope that they would pay more attention to their product quality control and their customers satisfaction. Also, they could use a better dealer network. The dealer I purchase my unit from basicaly told me to go scratch when I had manufactureing problems with my first unit. After contacting another dealer, he wasn't much more help. My only hope and results came from many, many, phone calls and e-mails to the company. After doing so, I fially found the right person who helped me.
Once again, chose what you like and I am sure you will be happy.
Fire Bug