Need a New Gas Appliance or Fireplace?

Gas Fireplace Installation & Repair Service in New Braunfels & San Antonio

Interested in investing in a new fireplace, insert, or stove? If you’ve decided on a gas system that seems perfect for your needs, then give our team a call for quality installation services. Trusting our experts guarantees a job well done every time, ensuring you can enjoy fires with ease and confidence season after season.

Not interested in a gas system? We offer services for both gas-fueled and wood-burning systems, so reach out now to further explore your options with us. And once your system is in, be sure to trust us with all of your chimney services and chimney repairs too. If you’re in the San Antonio area, we’d love to be your trusted team of sweeps for it all.

Why Invest in a Gas Fireplace?

What makes a gas-fueled appliance such a desirable purchase for today’s homeowners? There are lots of advantages of opting for a gas fireplace, stove, or insert, as opposed to another fuel type. Some of these include:

  • Gas systems are easy to operate and don’t require building or maintaining any fires – just turn it on, and you’re all set.
  • Gas is a cost-effective fuel, allowing you to heat your home in an affordable manner.
  • Gas setups are known for their high efficiency levels, ensuring you get the heat you’re hoping for.
  • Because gas systems are efficient, you’ll have the ability to zone heat your home and lower your thermostat (and hopefully your energy bills in the process).
  • Gas systems burn cleanly, meaning no emissions, smoke, or other fumes should be working their way into your home.
  • Burning with gas is a mess-free way to heat your home – no wood, no ash piles, and no messy soot getting everywhere.
  • Gas systems excel in terms of convenience. Just turn it on, sit back, and enjoy the ambiance – and they’re just as easy to turn off when you’re all done too.
  • Because gas systems are installed with glass doors, there’s no risk of sparks or stray embers getting out and ruining furniture or causing injury.
  • Gas systems come in a wide range of styles, sizes, colors, and designs, so you can easily find a model that matches with your preferences, style, and needs.

Any downsides?

So, it’s clear that gas-fueled systems have many advantages… but are there any downsides to consider as well?

Well, with gas systems, we do urge homeowners to remember that if it’s a truly authentic and classic fireplace experience you’re going for, wood may be the better route. While gas excels in many areas, it won’t provide that timeless ambiance created when you build a fire with actual wood logs. If you want genuine crackling noises and classic wood-burning scents, you’ll have to invest in a wood-burning system to get it.

f you opt for gas, you’ll also need to have a gas line installed if you don’t have one already, so be sure to factor in the time and expense associated with that before making any final decisions about your fuel type.

Are Gas Fireplaces Safe?

Yes – gas fireplaces, stoves, and inserts are considered safe. This is especially true for newer models that are made with safety features in mind, like safety screens and sensors.

That said, in order for them to function as safely as possible, gas fireplaces need to be installed properly, used correctly, and appropriately maintained. Trust a professional for installation, invest in annual maintenance, don’t put off repairs (when needed), and only use the system per the manufacturer’s instructions.

How Often Should My Gas Fireplace Be Serviced?

Any fireplace – no matter what type of fuel it uses – should be serviced and inspected at least once every year. During these inspections, your sweep can check everything over, ensuring the burner, pilot light, ignition, and more are all working properly and that you’re not at risk for potential gas leaks, damage, or other hazards.

That said, if you’re noticing anything unusual with your system (like inefficiency, weird smells, trouble lighting a fire, etc.), reach out to an expert right away to have an overview completed – even if you’ve recently had one done.

Can a homeowner service a gas appliance themselves?

We wouldn’t recommend depending on your own knowledge or intuition in lieu of a yearly service from a professional, but there are a few things homeowners can do on their own to ensure their system stays in good shape. This might include:

  • cleaning the glass doors of the fireplace
  • keeping an eye on the thermostat to ensure all is functioning well
  • maintaining proper clearances around the system
  • dusting your gas logs after longer periods of unuse

Also – if you’re noting your system isn’t turning on and off, be sure to check the batteries in the remote first. The fix could be as simple as a quick battery change-out, in which case professional services shouldn’t be required.

How Does a Gas Fireplace Work?

In a gas fireplace, natural gas or propane is used as fuel to produce the flames that heat your home and provide that well-loved aesthetic. The fireplace itself should consist of a gas burner, a gas log set (or some type of fireplace media, like stones, glass, etc.), and a set of controls to turn the system on and off and to control the flames and heat output.

Gas fireplaces should turn on with some type of switch or button, or many nowadays can be controlled with a remote or through your home’s thermostat.

The gas essentially flows through a valve where it ignites the pilot light. The homeowners will then be able to control the rate at which the glass flows out with a separate set of buttons, which influence how hot and high the flames burn.

Can I Install My Gas Fireplace Myself?

We certainly do not recommend this. Working with gas fireplaces and gas lines can be complex and intricate work and, if something isn’t done just right, you could end up facing some serious threats, like gas leaks or fires in your home.

Your best approach for avoiding potential hazards and damages is trusting someone who is experienced and knowledgeable in the chimney industry. Certified sweeps have the skills, tools, and proper training to get jobs of this nature done timely and correctly – minimizing risks and possible dangers significantly in the process.

In addition to all that, installing a gas fireplace yourself may void the manufacturer’s warranty, and it could also create local building code violations, which will then take time and money to correct.

In conclusion… you’ll get the most from your system if you simply trust an expert from the start – and you’ll guarantee a safer burning period too.

Will My Gas Fireplace Work in a Power Outage?

Yes – if your gas fireplace functions with a standing pilot light, it will still function in a power outage, guaranteeing you and your household heat and light for as long as you need it.

Just keep in mind the potential risk of gas leaks. If you smell gas or suspect a dangerous fume may be leaking into your home, stop putting your system to use immediately.

Can You Put a Gas Insert Into an Existing Wood Fireplace?

Definitely. In fact, this is one of the easiest and most seamless ways to convert your wood fireplace to gas, while keeping the overall aesthetic of your fireplace close to the same. We’ll just need to remove the grate and clear out ash and any existing debris, then the insert can be professionally installed and hooked up to your gas line.

What are the advantages of switching to gas?

There are lots of reasons why homeowners might consider gas fireplace installation and change their classic wood-burning fireplace, but what it usually comes down to is maintenance.

Gas systems are a lot easier to operate than wood-burning systems, which require storing/hauling wood, building and maintaining fires, then waiting until they’re fully extinguished before leaving the home or going to bed. Wood-burning systems also tend to invite a lot of mess, which is something gas fireplace owners don’t have to worry about.

And with modern gas logs looking more real and authentic than ever, many of those trying to run a busy household find making the switch to gas a no-brainer. That way, they can still enjoy the cozy ambiance of a fire in their home, just without having to go through a whole lot of work to get there. Instead, they just turn on their new system, sit back, and enjoy!

Do Gas Fireplaces Produce Carbon Monoxide?

Yes, gas fireplaces can produce carbon monoxide. This is a big reason why trusting a professional for installation services, repairs, and regular maintenance is so vital. Many times the cause of gas leaks comes down to carelessness, neglect, or a faulty installation job, which means the health of those in the household might be severely threatened over a seemingly minor or insignificant mistake by someone who wasn’t properly trained.

This is also an important reason why investing in annual inspections and regular servicing is recommended by industry professionals. These give your sweep the opportunity to spot any issues that may be looming or hidden away, so you can operate your system as safely as possible.

What Should I Do if I Smell Gas Coming From My Fireplace?

Are you smelling a strange odor from your fireplace, or are you noting any symptoms that could be linked to carbon monoxide exposure? Here’s what your plan of action should be.

1. First things first, avoid lighting any matches, turning on any lights, using your phone, plugging or unplugging anything, or doing anything that could create a spark.

2. Leave the area immediately and move outdoors to avoid breathing in the fumes.

3. Call your gas provider or emergency services to have appropriate authorities come and assess the situation. They can do so with proper safety equipment, locating the source of the leak and stopping it without risking their health in the process.

4. Stay clear of the affected area until it has been deemed safe.

Gas leaks can lead to some serious threats, putting your health and life at risk in the process, so they aren’t something you want to take any chances with. If you suspect a leak is present, err on the side of caution by leaving the area immediately and calling for backup.

How Long Do Gas Fireplaces Last?

The gas fireplace itself – like the framing and materials around it – can last for decades, but the gas logs should be replaced around every 10 – 15 years. How long yours lasts will depend a lot on how well it’s maintained. Lengthen the lifespan of your system by investing in annual inspections and regular maintenance and by using your system appropriately.

Is It Safe To Leave a Gas Fireplace on All Night?

No – it’s never safe to leave a gas fireplace on while you’re sleeping or if you leave the house. Because these systems are so contained and easy to use, it’s easy to assume they can just run and run unsupervised, but, just like wood systems, these shouldn’t be left unattended – ever.

While you won’t have to worry about a log rolling out or flames reaching nearby combustibles, there is the risk of carbon monoxide pouring out into your home. And if you don’t have a detector or if you’re sleeping too deeply to hear yours go off, you won’t be able to note its presence and get out of the home.

Carbon monoxide is hard enough to detect when you’re awake due to it being both colorless and odorless, and if you’re asleep? Forget about it. This gas is deadly when not promptly noted, so it’s definitely not worth taking any chances. Play it safe by shutting your fireplace down before heading to bed.

Trust Us for Gas Log Installation

Whether you are looking to have us provide a gas fireplace installation for your New Braunfels home or need any repair sservices or maintenance work, we will be able to take care of any of your needs in an efficient and cost-effective manner. We can install gas log fireplaces in either a vented or vent-free manner depending on your preferences, and we guarantee that your setup will be completely safe and will have your home feeling nice and warm in no time.

Vented gas log fireplaces can be installed in a functional wood-burning fireplace, but as with all wood fireplaces, much of the heat will escape the home through the chimney. If you choose a vent-free method, you will need to use approved vent-free logs, but your home will trap more heat. All in all, it really depends on your personal preferences.

Our team will be glad to provide any gas log conversions, and we also offer gas log remotes, which have on/off switches and can control the height of a flame.

Call today for any gas log fireplace installations and more!

Request Your Appointment With Our Techs Today

Our techs take pride in bringing quality gas fireplace installation and repair services to New Braunfels, Boerne, Seguin, Canyon Lake, San Marcos, Kyle, Austin, Schertz, Spring Branch, Helotes, and more the highest level of care possible. We’re certified, involved with a number of esteemed industry organizations, and make it a priority to continuously improve our skills and expand our knowledge.

Give us a call at 830-620-9130 or book online today.

 

If replacing your existing fireplace with a wood-burning system is the way you want to go, then we’re the team to call.