Assuming your fireplace draws properly, smoke shouldn't be a problem for the existing wood fireplace - though I can appreciate your concern with the new TV, etc. If you're getting smoke in the room; the fireplace isn't functioning properly: learn about draft at http://www.highschimney.com/articles/chimney-airflow-problems/ As for gas logs, you can use vented logs all day vs a limited burn time for ventless logs. The fire will likely be adjusted to have a yellow flame (vs a blue one like your kitchen stove might) so as to look more like a wood fire. That necessarily means that you will have somewhat incomplete combustion. You'll want CO detectors around because if the exhaust isn't going up the chimney as it should be, you won't get any warning (ie no smoke to choke on). You have to put something in place to insure the fireplace damper can never close 100%- a clipboard clip on the damper plate is often used. Your fireplace has to still work for wood, so don't let anyone suggest you have a smaller liner. This is not something you install yourself; a plumber will run the gas line. I'd suggest getting your log set in a hearth store, where they'll cost more no doubt, but you'll also get knowledgeable people and access to professional installation. And you are right: you do lose heat with an open fireplace. I love the official expression for it: "negative heat gain." Here is a link that might be useful: Types of gas firepaces

Hello friends-- I own an old home (1947) that was flipped just before I purchased it. The remodel was extensive, and included covering up a perfectly functional wood-burning fireplace with drywall. I have never seen pictures, but I imagine they ripped out a mantle and any sort of surround material before covering up the opening with drywall, flush with the rest of the existing wall plane. FYI, the wall is uninsulated, plaster over brick/block. It's cold to the touch in winter months as I live in Denver. I can tap on the wall and hear where the solid plaster turns to drywall over the opening. I did hear from the contractor that the ONLY reason this was done was due to furniture layout. The room was converted from a living room to a master bedroom, and given the new door openings to the space the only sensical place for a bed/headboard was smack dab against what used to be the fireplace opening. This makes relative sense to me, but I want to uncover the thing and insert a gas-burning unit. I believe I can figure out the furniture layout dilemma, if you want to call it that. Any ideas what I may be in for or best ways to go about accomplishing this? I do have a gas line directly below the space. Getting the fuel to the unit seems to be the easy part. Thanks for any tips or suggestions!

I purchased a used Quadrafire Castile pellet stove for the basement. I have a high efficiency heat pump and strips but wanted something for back up that would run off of a small generator if we have an extended power outage. I purchased 2 tons of pellets last winter and when the temps were below 30 or if we were in the basement we ran it on low which is around 1lb or 7500btu/hr. I would turn it to medium when was below 20 and ran it on high when it was in the teens or below and the heat pump was locked out which is 8lbs per hour. The warm floor made the house feel more comfortable which allowed the stat to be a little coolder. It is not hastle free by NO means. It requires regular cleaning and maintenance and the pellets can be a pain for some to deal with. I enjoy going down stairs and sitting in front of it after being outside and freezing all day. I grew up with heat from a wood furnace once you get used to that warmth a heat pump or even heat strips doesn't compare when it is in the teens outside. If the cleaning and maintenance is not kept up then the efficiency will head toward the toilet. There are some models that can go a week or more with no problem and others that need the ashes dumped daily. It isn't horrible by any means but it is not just a pour in the fuel and forget it device. The ability to have a heat source that will operate on stored fuel and less electrical power than a 200 watt light bulb it is pretty hard to beat.

I'm in Canada, so I completely understand that a basement FP would get used. The problem is that it's pretty hard to do any fireplace that isn't personalized. There are so many options for stone/brick/tile facades, mantels, hearths, etc, that it's either going to be really "you" or really boring. And it usually becomes a large design element in the room. Even the location of the FP can be a personalized choice. For some reason, developers here love to put basement FPs in corners here. And I don't know a designer anywhere who thinks that's a good idea. But obviously someone likes it. That's not to say you shouldn't do a fireplace. It's your house, and you've got another 10 years there, so enjoy it. My point is that even if everyone wants a fireplace, not everyone is going to love YOUR fireplace. The gas fireplace in my new house will be in the dining room. Oh, the looks and comments I get!! "But, the fireplace GOES in the living room!" Where it competes with the TV as a focal point. No, thanks. And most of these people don't even know that I'm doing brick rather than stone or tile. I'm sure their heads would explode. :)