I think this is our model Regency Horizon

Ours is in our Family Room. We use it all winter long. It warms up the space very well, and looks really nice, too.

I'm looking for a linear model too and other than features (thermostatic remote with different functions) the sales guy didn't go into any quality differences. He only said one unit was a high end model. Not sure what separates a $2,500 unit from a $4,500 unit of the same size. Going to visit another place today to get more info.

We have two Regency Legacy inserts and they are HORRIBLE!!!! Each was over $5k and they are super finicky. The don't work, and the flame is low and permanently blue. We are looking to replace.

When we built our home in the mountains 3 years ago we splurged on our gas fireplace with all the bells and whistles - remote (I think most of them today have remotes) - it has a thermostat to turn it on & off when the room gets a certain temp, 5 different flame settings, 5 different fan settings, you can turn the pilot light on/off (which is a nice feature, because when the pilot light is on, while it turns on instantaneously, the hearth stays a bit too warm - and it only takes about 15 seconds to light when the pilot light isn’t constantly on and I think it may save on gas costs) What drew us to this and is a “bell” that we rarely use was that it has lights inside the fireplace, so you can turn lights on inside it without having fire... we thought it would be so cool but haven’t used it more than a couple times...but we use the other features pretty regularly. It was pricy - in the $4500 neighborhood 3 years ago - but I’d buy it again! We have radiant in floor heat so the fireplace is purely aesthetic “ though it puts out some great heat (the cats love it)

Candace, what brand is your fireplace?

Our gas fireplace sounds very much like the one Candace has - ours is a Mendotta.

We chose a Mendota and love it.

May I ask, as a salve to my ignorance, what the word 'linear' refers to in the context of built-in gas-powered fireplaces? (I have a Majestic wood burning built-in I installed in a new family room ca. 1989; 'linear' wasn't on any literature I came across at the time.)

I thought it meant one of the more modern versions of a gas fireplace - rather than a traditional stove type.

https://mendotahearth.com/linear-gas-fireplace.php

Thanks, @maire_cate. Your link leads me to believe that it is the long and narrow shape that is the source of the name, as built-in wood and gas fireplaces have been around for quite a while.

Of course Kaseki - you are most welcome. You have no idea how your advice on range hoods and MUA helped me when we installed our BlueStar 3 years ago. We're about to put in another one at our vacation place - this time on an island and I've bookmarked the advice you gave last month on just that subject.

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6011931/should-installing-an-island-range-hood-be-pretty-straightforward#26179184

Thanks!

We have a brand new linear 48" FP by Boulevard. I love it! Puts out a great amount of heat, has a remote, thermostat, light with multiple levels etc. The blue flame gets yellow and beautiful within 5 min. We use it to warm up the 10' ceiling familyroom in the mornings and evenings. Zero clicking or any other kind of sound.

This one is an 8' wide Ortal.

2018-19 El Dorado Hills Ridgeview Village · More Info

We're also using the Heat N Glo "Primo" series for a couple of projects.

Both brands are highly recommended by my fireplace contractor who handles most. In larger
sizes the heat handling methods and technology is important to your install, dispersing heat, etc.

Not all brands are keeping updated.

Linear, as it was explained to me, means the "rectangular" shape, instead of the almost square shape of traditional angles. That is, the fireplace is wider than taller.

I kept researching and so far I'm leaning towards the Regency New York. I like that they come with a double glass, which makes the outer glass not super hot (thus safer). That means I don't need a screen, which I don't think look very nice.

But I learned that there is a fan that blows air between the glasses, to cool it down, so I'm a bit concerned about how loud that fan might be. I need to go back to a store and listen to it, again. I wasn't paying attention when I last visited.

Does anyone know about this brand/model?

Camilla, you cannot see the screen at all when the fireplace is on....or off because then it's just all black. Sure, if I focus on finding it I can, but I would rather take a silent FP than one with a fan between the glass.

So, it turns out that the the sales person was not very knowledgeable about the Regency fireplace. I went to a different store that has it in the showroom, and the lady said there is no fan! There is a 1-inch gap at the bottom, and that's why the front glass does not get too hot. Indeed, the fireplace was on, and I didn't hear anything.

Helpful information. Couple of questions. Trying to decide between a 50” and 60” linear fireplace for the family room (about 255sq’) but it’s open to the kitchen that would double the size. We will be spending most of the time in the smaller family room where the fireplace will be located, so I don’t want the size to overwhelm the room.

Second, we were surprised that the quote we got for the unit was reasonable ($4k), but after optional features (lighting, driftwood, glass) it doubled the price. Are most linear fireplaces priced in this fashion?

@Laura Olson Try to get pricing fully installed. The gas & electrical connections, flue work and materials are significant....of course and delivery (one client show me his quotes were cheaper than mine, but didn't include). Everything has options. Double is the range we see in the 50-60", 72-96 range from $10-20K.