Advantages of Artificial Fireplace Logs: Artificial fireplace logs cost a fraction of what wood logs cost, per hour, to operate. Since gas logs do not require electricity, they are a great source of heat and light during a power outage. Artificial fireplace logs can be conveniently started at the turn of a valve or with an on/off switch. They offer enjoyment year after year without having to worry about stocking and replacing firewood. Dangerous flying sparks and dirty ashes are eliminated. Creosote build-up in the chimney, a common cause of fires, is also eliminated by the clean burning gas fuel or electric log sets. Gas logs burn cleaner than wood, reducing air pollutants. No air pollutants with electric logs. Once the logs are in place they are permanent. No constant hassle with the changing out of real wood logs. Real wood requires approximately 3 hours of burn time. Artificial fireplace logs operate by a simple on/off valve and usually do not have limits to burn time. The survey below was conducted by Peterson to show the cost benefits of gas logs versus firewood. Figures are applicable to any brand gas log with the same BTU ratings. Average cost of Natural Gas per therm Average hourly cost of burning gas logs* Average cost of wood per hour Average savings when burning Peterson gas logs 1 Birmingham $1.84 $1.29 $1.94 34% 2 Chicago $1.20 $0.84 $2.64 68% 3 Dallas $1.40 $0.98 $1.54 36% 4 Denver $0.98 $0.69 $1.17 41% 5 Houston $1.33 $0.93 $1.28 27% 6 Kansas City $0.92 $0.64 $1.29 51% 7 Los Angeles $1.39 $0.97 $1.34 28% 8 Las Vegas $0.75 $0.53 $1.24 57% 9 Minneapolis $1.22 $0.85 $1.29 34% 10 Nashville $1.47 $1.03 $1.37 25% 11 Philadelphia $1.40 $0.98 $1.29 24% 12 Phoenix $1.09 $0.76 $1.63 53% 13 San Francisco $1.79 $1.25 $2.28 45% 14 Salt Lake City $1.28 $0.90 $1.45 38% 15 Seattle $1.12 $0.78 $1.48 47% Average Savings 41% *Based on 55,000 BTUs and 85,000 BTUs Determine What Type of Artificial Logs You Are Most Interested In. When choosing an artificial log set for your fireplace it is important to know what you are looking for. Do you want a realistic wood fire substitute? Are you looking for the most efficient way to heat your home? Here are some facts that should help ease your decision making. Vented Gas Logs: These logs must be installed in a fireplace with a fully functional chimney, to draft the smoke and combustion gases from your home. These log sets have been available for over 50 years and are still the most popular. Vented logs are the logs that most resemble a realistic wood fire. They use an open damper, which limits heating efficiency. Just like burning a wood fire, most heat escapes the chimney and only a small amount is returned to your home. Vented log sets are more flexible. Logs can be repositioned according to preference. Non-Vented Gas Logs: Non-vented logs do not require a chimney. They keep 99 percent of the heat produced in your home, and are very efficient as a primary heat source. All units are equipped with an ODS (Oxygen Depletion Sensor). This device cuts the flame off if the oxygen level in the air drops below a safe level. This situation is very rare. Non-vented logs cannot be repositioned once they are installed. This is due to non vented log sets having to maintain a complete clean burn which requires the logs to sit on the grate in only one way. Some states (California, Massachusetts, and a few others) require special permits in order to operate non-vented appliances indoors. Electric Logs: Electric log sets operate for pennies per hour. No room size limitations. Electric log sets can be installed in any size room. Electric log sets usually get their realism from a mixture of mirrors, lights and foil. No venting is required. Electric log sets can be used in vented or non-vented fireplaces. Produces no smoke or emissions. Electric log sets are extremely safe to operate. OK, we know what type of logs we need, where do we go from here? Determine Which Style of Fireplace You Have. Standard - Fireplaces that have an opening on only 1 side. This is the category that most fireplaces will belong to. Multi-sided - Fireplaces that have openings on more than 1 side. This includes see-thru and peninsula fireplaces. Special "See-Thru" or "Double Faced" log sets are needed for these fireplaces. "See-Thru" or "Double Faced" log sets are "finished" on all sides so they look very nice from any angle. Standard sets are only "finished" on the front side. Make sure you purchase a set of logs that is designed for your style of fireplace. Measure Your Fireplace to Determine the Appropriate Log Set Size. The absolute best place to measure your firebox is left to right, approximately half-way back in the firebox (the midpoint). This is usually where the widest part of any log set would sit and it is recommended to have 3 - 6 inches of clearance on each side of the widest log. Once you know your mid-point measurement, determine your proper log size based on the following table: Type of Gas Logs Suggested Log Set Size (inches) Match Light Midpoint minus 6" Safety Pilot Light Midpoint minus 10" Remote pilot Light Midpoint minus 12" EXAMPLE: If your mid-point measurement is 36 inches, and you would like to purchase a gas log set with remote control capabilities, subtract 12 inches from your mid-point of 36, leaving 24. This tells you you can reasonably fit up to a 24 inch log set with a remote pilot kit. Determine the Brand and Style of Logs You Prefer. Lets be honest, the decision to buy artificial logs often comes down to the appearance of the logs. We carry many different styles of logs from some of the top name brands in the industry. No matter what your desired look of the logs, you should be able to find it with us. Whether you are looking for a split wood look, full bark look, logs that appear to have been burning a while, etc, we should have you covered. Determine Your Preference of Ignition System. (For Gas Logs Only) Certain log sets have different types of operating options that allow you to ignite the logs in a variety of ways. Manual Ignition (Least expensive, most common) - Operate log set by hand - place match or lighter in fireplace near log burner and turn on gas with the key valve already installed near fireplace. Safety Pilot Ignition (Required for LP, a bit more expensive) - Pilot Light can remain constantly lit and is operated by a control knob. (Gas logs only) Wall switch (Convenient, a bit more expensive, most difficult installation) - Pilot Light can remain constantly lit and is operated by a light switch on the wall. Remote Ignition (Convenient, most expensive, some service issues) - Pilot Light can remain constantly lit and is operated by a remote control. Determine Your Fuel Type. (For Gas Logs Only) If you have gas in your fireplace it will be either Natural Gas, or Liquid Propane Gas (LP). The majority of people have natural gas which is provided by the municipality they live in. Some people who live in a more rural area may have LP gas. This is usually stored in either a large above, or below ground tank that is filled by the provider when the supply runs low. Knowing your fuel type is necessary in purchasing gas logs since one fuel type will not work with the other. Now that you have some basic knowledge of the artificial log sets available, you should be able to make an educated decision on what logs would be best for your home. If you have any further questions, please contact us at customerservice@shopperschoice.com, or toll free at 1-877-743-2269.