wwyd? Fireplace shopping/gas?

I think having two sources of heat is necessary. Think what will happen if you run out of propane in the middle of a week long blizzard. In SD, if you don't have heat, you will freeze.

I would put in a wood stove that has glass doors on the front. You could watch the fire if you want to and some even allow the doors to be open. Use the propane furnace most of the time for the convience but keep a small supply of wood on hand if you feel like or need a wood fire.

Having a gas fired fireplace won't lower your gas bill. It may raise it because it is not as efficient as the furnace.

Fireplace insert that will need to be enclosed.

Nimrod...Very good points. And your name cracks me up

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I use tools I'd normally have around the place to gather my firewood, the exception being the hydraulic splitter for the tractor, which cost me $500.

I run a very efficient, airtight soapstone stove. Since I live further south than a lot of y'all, I only burn a cord and a half each winter.

I've had propane logs in a fireplace and I've run a propane heater. Don't care for the condensation, don't care for the smell and I always have the thought of CO poisoning in the back of my mind. They are pretty efficient for the $ spent, and it looks like LNG will be plentiful for a long time to come.

We heat with wood as a heavy supplement to our NG furnace. Our gas bills last year in the dead of winter run about $60 a month. This includes the cook stove and dryer. The home is 1900sqft, with a full basement
I personally enjoy processing firewood but everything depends if you can get free wood.
We are using a Napoleon 1401 fireplace insert, and I would not reconmend this unit.

Here is the fireplace we are thinking about getting...they are coming tomorrow to give an estimate to install it
http://www.fireplacex.com/ProductGui...98500181#Specs

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Teach only Love...for that is what You are

Looks fine.

But you really have to love the name...
864 High Output GreenSmart Fireplace

It's got everything to sell.. It's smart to make you think you are, green for the enviroment, and High output so it really, really heats!

Oggie's cats could write better copy for that description.

"The real power of the GreenSmart system is the entire collection of components, controls and technology features like: accent lights, flame adjustments, blower control and a choice of pilot ignition modes. The fabulous wood-like fire appearance, seven-piece log set, featuring the Award Winning Ember-Fyre™ burner, ..."

I keep expecting a drag queen model from "The Price Is Right" to pop out of the page and wave arms in appreciation. You know how models will stick their arm in front of an appliance or car, and then slowly pull it back to reveal the appliance and draw attention to their breasts? "See that FABULOUS wood-like fire?"

Nothing about BTU output in the basic description, nothing about dimensions, just gushing. Seven piece log set, huh? What if you want to upgrade to an EIGHT piece log set? My choice of pilot ignition modes? Garsh, I must be in techno-heaven. Shall I light the pilot THIS way? Or maybe I could stand over here and light it THIS way? Decisions, decisions.

So I go to the SPEC link, and see that it has
"Maximum BTU Input
46,700 (NG) 46,700 (LP) BTU's"

BTU INPUT?!?!? That means it is an air conditioner. Cool. However funny, it brings up a question. If it is 80% efficient, and the BTU INPUT is 46,700, does that mean the effective BTU OUTPUT is only 37,360 BTUs?

What makes me think this might have been made outside the U.S.? I would advise inspecting the unit thoroughly for steel thickness, joint seals, and quality, just because of the poor documentation. Is it U.L. listed? Will you insurance company approve it?

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