First, DO NOT get a ventless system. Many building codes actually outlaw them. I think they all should because the build up of fumes can be dangerous. Therefore, the choice is between a VENTED gas log system and something called DIRECT VENT system. A vented system works pretty much like your present conventional wood burning fireplace. It will provide some heat, but most of the heat will go up the chimney. It is not an energy efficient system. A direct vent system is comprised of a sealed firebox equipped with 2 vents that go up the chimney -- one to exhaust the fumes and the other to bring in fresh air to feed the combustion. It is very energy efficient, and can give off some serious heat. Direct vent systems are costly and take close to a whole day to install, assuming you already have a gas line in place. You really should consider this option if you want more than just the pleasant appearance of a flame. One more consideration: Since direct vent system can get very hot, it's a good idea to get one with a remote thermostat. Otherwise you'll wind up turning the thing on and off over and over again. But if you live in a climate zone where a kit of heat is not the primary consideration, for instance in Florida, a vented gas log system would be a reasonable option. If a really DRAMATIC dancing flame is what you're looking for, I think the Eiklor brand is the gold standard. But it will use a LOT OF GAS, and most of the heat will go up the chimney. So you're almost literally burning money with that one. I'm partial to direct vent. We have one here in North Carolina, and we love it. Make sure you find someone with a good local reputation to do the installation. Otherwise you'll wind up with buyer's remorse.

In hindsight we would love to convert our 3-sided woodburning fireplace that is truly for esthetics to an LP format. From what I have researched we cannot use an insert as we lose the visibility from 2 out of 3 sides and apparently gas burning logs do not allow for blower to push out the heat. I am reaching out to all of the experts out there for your brilliant ideas if we can find something other than wood to burn. Hubby is getting tired of chopping, stacking and hauling wood. Tkx

I had similar questions about my fireplace. We built 8 years ago and I paid the extra for the gas setup. Recently I wanted to use wood to help reduce heating costs. My fireplace is a Lennox unit with outside air supply and the blower setup. I figured that seeing as my house is open-concept the wood heat would work out well. I also wasnt sure what would need to be done to convert it. I wound up taking all my install paperwork to the company who installed it, as they are 5 minutes from my home. Their service manager talked with me and explained that I did in fact have a woodburning fireplace with a gas-log setup installed. He also told me that by code they have to install it with the proper chimney and tolerances for a wood fireplace. So all I had to do was remove the 'gas guts'. Ive been burning for a few months now and its SO nice:P Dave

What makes you think that burning wood is going to be any more heat efficient than wood absent a sealed fire box. It's impossible to tell from the pictures if the firebox and the flue is capable of supporting burning wood. Have a local technician come by and inspect it.