First, thanks for a great forum. I've been reading posts for quite a while. I've spent some time searching and haven't been able to find a similar post, so please redirect me if the questions below are findable elsewhere.
My fireplace has a gas burner installed. Chimney swept/inspected a little less than 2 years ago. I haven’t burned anything other than candles in the fireplace for years. I’m interested in putting in a gas insert w/ blower fans but have been hit by sticker shock. $3000 to $5000 for an insert and $500 to $1000 for installation.
House was built in 1948 with fireplace in living room with chimney running up center of the house.
I did fire up the gas burner last weekend and left it on for a few minutes before shutting the gas line off again.
Now to show my true colors…I’m a closet cheapskate. (My friends would laugh that I’m not fooling anyone). I’d really prefer to do work myself but it is very hard to find a resource that tells what the proper steps are. I assume that is because every installation has its own nuances.
Can I just buy a second hand B-vent insert and connect the existing gas flex line? If the gas burner vented up the chimney, will the B-vent need a liner installed extending up to the roof? Are second hand purchases only ok if equipment has mfg & p/n label in tact?
If I should hire the install out, how do I go about finding an installer in the Seattle area? My assumption is that the local fireplace stores only want their installers working on equipment they have sold.
My fireplace has a gas burner installed. Chimney swept/inspected a little less than 2 years ago. I haven’t burned anything other than candles in the fireplace for years. I’m interested in putting in a gas insert w/ blower fans but have been hit by sticker shock. $3000 to $5000 for an insert and $500 to $1000 for installation.
House was built in 1948 with fireplace in living room with chimney running up center of the house.
I did fire up the gas burner last weekend and left it on for a few minutes before shutting the gas line off again.
Now to show my true colors…I’m a closet cheapskate. (My friends would laugh that I’m not fooling anyone). I’d really prefer to do work myself but it is very hard to find a resource that tells what the proper steps are. I assume that is because every installation has its own nuances.
Can I just buy a second hand B-vent insert and connect the existing gas flex line? If the gas burner vented up the chimney, will the B-vent need a liner installed extending up to the roof? Are second hand purchases only ok if equipment has mfg & p/n label in tact?
If I should hire the install out, how do I go about finding an installer in the Seattle area? My assumption is that the local fireplace stores only want their installers working on equipment they have sold.
