Regency Gas Fireplaces manual Options Abound, 08naturalLiving Fal - Winter, fromthe hearth

fromthe hearth

Today’s wide range of gas hearth appliances will fit your heating needs and decorating tastes. By Matt Bolch

Traditionalareas such as living rooms and bedroomsremain popular,but more homeownersare installinghearth appliancesin places where they were unheardof just

a few years ago. All photos courtesy of Hearth, Patio & BarbecueAssociation.

he harnessing of fire has long been heralded as the dawn of humanity for Tboth cooking and heating. Fortunately, modern humans can stay warm with an enticing variety of gas hearth appliances designed to fit their lifestyles. “Gas appliances continue to evolve in terms of versatility and style,” says Leslie Wheeler, director of communications at the Hearth,

Patio & Barbecue Association, a trade group for manufacturers, distributors and re- tailers. “What’s better than turning on a gas log or fireplace with the flip of the switch to have great ambience?”

According to the National Association of Realtors, each fireplace in a home adds 12 percent to the home’s value. Current technology allows the addition of a gas fireplace without a flue, making a fireplace a perfect addition at any time. Gas hearth appliances offer the utility of warming just a room or an area of the home with a wide range of styles to fit into any décor.

“New fireplaces and stoves have a contemporary, modern look that certainly ap- peals to Gen Xers and Gen Yers — something trendy and more contemporary,” Wheeler says. With the push of a button, the instant dancing flame and heat of gas hearth appliances enchant these consumers.

Options Abound

Gas hearth appliances include fireplaces, fireplace inserts, gas logs and freestand- ing gas stoves.

Modern fireplaces are engineered as a firebox enclosed within a steel cabinet. Air circulates between the inner and outer boxes, transferring the heat to your room while keeping the outer wall relatively cool. This construction allows installation close to the wood framing in new construction or remodeling. Compared to a site- built fireplace, factory-built systems are inexpensive to purchase and install. They use a safe, lightweight chimney (or no chimney at all) and do not need the additional structural support required for a masonry chimney. They can be easily and safely in- stalled in almost any room.

Fireplace inserts are, as the name implies, inserted into an existing masonry or factory-built fireplace to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact. A fireplace insert is essentially the same as a freestanding stove except it uses an

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