The fireplace in the country house performs not only a decorative function, but also heats the room. Currently, gas fireplaces for summer cottages are gaining more and more popularity, their partially or fully automated fireboxes with live fire can successfully heat a country house and create a cozy atmosphere.
Gas fireplace in the country
Gas fireplaces can operate on both main and liquefied gas, so their installation is possible in any country house.
Content
Features of gas fireplaces
The ease of use of classic wood-burning fireplaces is doubtful - it is necessary to harvest firewood or fuel briquettes, melt the fireplace and constantly monitor it during combustion in order to avoid a fire. In addition, the efficiency of wood-burning fireplaces is low, their efficiency does not exceed 15-20%, and the emission of harmful substances into the atmosphere is large due to incomplete combustion of fuel. Gas fireplaces for summer cottages are devoid of all these shortcomings: they are safe, easy to operate and do not require firewood, kindling and constant monitoring.
The design of gas fireplaces determines their efficiency. The firebox of gas fireplaces is usually heat-resistant steel, the walls of the firebox have a ribbed surface, which increases the heat transfer area. Inside the furnace, in its lower part, there is a gas burner with automation sensors and a piezoelectric element.
Video - Gas fireplaces
In some models, the burner is covered with ceramic heat-resistant false coals or logs - the gas, leaving the burner, falls on the “firewood” and beautifully flows around them with a flame, which creates the effect of burning firewood. The upper part of the firebox forms a smoke box that passes into the chimney. The front part is usually closed with heat-resistant glass doors that provide fire safety, but there are also open models.
Fire in a gas fireplace
The fireplace is controlled either from the panel on the front side or from the remote control. Gas fireplaces with automation are equipped with a controller that regulates combustion, as well as sensors for stopping the gas supply, the disappearance of draft, and the extinction of the flame. In case of any violation of the operating mode, the fireplace is turned off, which makes it safe to use. Gas fireplaces must be connected to the mains or battery in order to ensure the operation of all sensors and the controller.
Installing a gas fireplace for a summer residence depends on the type of its execution. At the same time, it is necessary to comply with the manufacturer's ventilation requirements and provide air access to the furnace through a special channel or chimney. It is better to entrust the connection of the fireplace to the main gas to a specialist, because in any case you will have to coordinate its installation with the local gas service. Fireplaces running on liquefied gas can be connected independently.
The chimney is made of materials resistant to corrosion and high temperatures, usually special steel. Ready-made prefabricated chimneys with a layer of thermal insulation are the most convenient; thanks to various elements, they can be led out through walls or ceilings and extended to any length.
Choosing a gas fireplace for a summer residence
When choosing a fireplace that runs on gas, it is necessary to take into account the conditions of its installation and operation. In order not to make a mistake and choose the most suitable model, you must be guided by the following characteristics:
- Dimensions of the fireplace. This parameter is most important for small rooms, where every square meter counts. It is best to draw a floor plan and determine the maximum dimensions of the fireplace that you can afford. To purchase chimney components, you also need to know the location of the ceiling beams and rafters, as well as the height of all rooms.
- Gas fireplace dimensions
- Type of instalation. There are several types of fireplaces:
- floor - the firebox is placed directly on the prepared floor covering;
- wall-mounted - the firebox has a completely closed chamber with ventilation ducts and is simply hung on the wall;
- built-in - the firebox is installed on the base and closed with a portal or cladding;
- outdoor - installed outdoors, for example, in a gazebo. Floor and wall models are the easiest to install and do not require redevelopment of walls, frame, base. To give the fireplace a more aesthetic appearance, such fireboxes are often covered with a homemade or purchased portal. In a house where there are small children or pets, it is more convenient to use a wall-mounted fireplace by hanging it at an inaccessible height. For a built-in fireplace, you need to make the base and frame of non-combustible materials: brick, steel profile, stone. Facing such a fireplace is performed using decorative bricks, terracotta, refractory tiles. Outdoor gas fireplaces for summer cottages are the easiest to install and often do not even require connection to a chimney.
Built-in fireplaces
- Heat consumption, or power. The maximum area that a gas fireplace for a summer residence can heat depends on this characteristic. If you do not plan to use the cottage in winter, you can install a less powerful model. If the manufacturer indicates only the heat consumption of the fireplace in kilowatts, you can calculate the area yourself. With a room height of no more than three meters, this value must be multiplied by 10, and you will get the approximate area of \u200b\u200bthe heated house. For example, for a gas fireplace with a heat output of 6.5 kW, the area of \u200b\u200bthe room will be approximately equal to 65 square meters.
- Gas consumption. For fireplaces running on main gas, this parameter is not particularly important, because natural gas is by far the cheapest fuel. Liquefied propane-butane in cylinders is much more expensive, so it is necessary to calculate how long the fireplace can work on one cylinder. At the same time, it should be taken into account that the manufacturer indicates the maximum value, when the fireplace is in decorative mode, the gas consumption is 5-7 times lower.
- Body material. Fireplaces made of stainless steel are more durable and reliable, but their price is higher. Assess your financial capabilities before buying.
- Additional functions. Electric ignition, gas control, automatic mode control, remote control - these functions make using the fireplace convenient and enjoyable, but, again, affect its price. With a limited budget, it is better to choose options that increase the safety of the fireplace.
Remote control for ignition of the fireplace
Installing a gas fireplace
Installation requires a pre-drawn plan and the installation manual supplied with the fireplace.According to the plan, markup is carried out at the installation site and on the ceilings, after which they proceed with installation.
- For floor standing gas fireplaces, it is necessary to level the floor in the place where it will be located and lay a non-combustible floor covering on it. Walls located in close proximity and lined with combustible materials must be protected with a metal foil screen, non-combustible board, brick or ceramic tile.
Installing a gas fireplace
- For wall models, mark the place of attachment and drill holes. Fix the fireplace on the anchor bolts.
- For built-in models, the installation dimensions are determined from the passport and a niche is made of brick or a frame made of a metal profile. It is most convenient to finish the frame with tiles fixed to the frame with special clips.
- For models running on liquefied gas, a place is made to install the cylinder, if it is not provided for by the design. To connect the main gas, you need to call a representative of the local gas service in order to avoid incorrect connections, leaks and possible fines.
Installation of a liquefied gas cylinder to power the fireplace
- The smoke channel is made of brick or other non-combustible materials. Chimney elements are installed inside the channel and a firebox is connected to it. The height of the pipe above the roof is chosen in accordance with the figure, depending on its distance to the ridge, and from above it must be protected with a head.
Installation of a chimney on the roof
- finishing built-in models are made to your liking, while not forgetting about the ventilation gaps necessary to cool the fireplace. To heat the adjacent rooms with warm air, air channels can be made that divert it from the furnace body.Channels are made of non-combustible materials, for example, fire-resistant drywall.
Scheme of functioning of a gas fireplace
Gas fireplaces are a worthy choice for heating a summer house, because they are economical, reliable and safe. The price of gas fireplaces is comparable to electric counterparts of similar heat output or the cost of building a small wood-burning fireplace, but gas will be much cheaper if the fireplace is constantly used to heat the house, and you do not have to worry about harvesting firewood and storing it. With a gas fireplace, your cottage will become a real island of comfort!
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