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Gas fireplaces are very popular and a great alternative to their traditional wood-burning counterparts. They are also much more efficient, with most heat retained and distributed throughout your home. Of course, there is also the beauty that fireplace designs and the allure of the flame attract, and with an easy installation and access to fuel, you will enjoy your gas fireplace for many years.
As warming as these units are, you need to consider how they are insulated, as your goal is to gain as much heat as possible without any loss. There is also the issue of protecting the building material that surrounds it. Understanding the materials and methods for insulating will help you have an efficient fireplace that works as it can.
Here are some gas fireplace insulation tips to consider.
Framing Around Gas Fireplaces
Unlike an electric fireplace with nothing burning, a wood and gas fireplace gets hot. Gas fireplaces are designed to be built into a wall or freestanding, and as a general rule, there should be a minimum 6″ clearance from combustible material. Also, any drywall nearby should be type X gypsum-based. Gas inserts are fine because they are put into an existing firebox made of brick and masonry.
The construction of a gas fireplace will have a stand-off system connected to the back and sides to keep adequate clearance from any material. These are meant as a guide for framing into a walled enclosure. While you may think it wise to insulate around this, it will produce too much heat retention for the fireplace and raise the danger of a fire.
The best practice is to insulate the wall cavities beside and above the fireplace but not have any insulation directly touching the unit.
Ventilation
Older homes have natural ventilation because they are not airtight, but with new building practices, our modern homes are buttoned up pretty tight with thick insulation and poly.
Gas fireplaces vent outdoors, but with these airtight homes, there can be an issue, and they need the right venting for proper airflow.
Gravity venting draws air from the room and vents it outside as it rises, while direct venting doesn’t use air from the room but rather an insulated pipe from the outside. Power venting should be used when the distance that combustible air has to travel to reach outside is too far.
Insulation Types
There are several types of insulation in building construction, including:
- Cellulose
- Fiberglass
- Mineral rock
- Rigid foam
- Spray foam
Most insulation itself isn’t considered combustible, but it is not a barrier for flame either. Insulation with paper backing is sometimes used but should be avoided around the gas fireplace. As mentioned above, ensure to fully insulate the exterior walls beside and above a fireplace but allow air and heat to move within the surrounding fireplace unit.
As far as other fireplace components, like the chimney pipe, it typically runs directly up from the fireplace and then out through a wall or a ceiling to a termination cap. It will have its insulated pipe sleeve to pass through a wall, ceiling and roof, or you can put in a pipe chase to act as an air gap between the hot pipe and the wall, attic and ceiling insulation.
Anywhere the venting pipes travel along the path, you must not put any insulation that may block vents or air intakes. This can create a dangerous buildup of toxic off-gasses that can make their way back to the house or have the potential to combust. This type of barrier will also affect the operation of the gas fireplace as airflow is restricted. The vent pipe carries hot air; if it comes into contact with the wrong type of insulation, it can ignite and start a fire. Follow the manufacturer’s installation guidelines for installing vent pipes and insulation considerations.
Fireplace Inserts
In the case of a gas fireplace insert, the existing fireplace chimney should serve as the venting.
A gas fireplace must be insulated properly to ensure no cold air penetration and the potential for moisture and mould growth build-up. It is a delicate balance between adequate insulation in the wall and around the fireplace and leaving enough space for safe operation.
The gas connection coming into the house is one of the only places to insulate a gas fireplace. This will help prevent cold air from coming in and the warm air produced by the gas fireplace to escape.
This is how to safely and effectively insulate a gas fireplace. It can be challenging to separate combustible building material from the open flame while wanting to have a well-insulated home, so use these tips for better understanding and safe installation practices. Ultimately, you can enjoy the warmth and magic of your gas fireplace’s open flame and feel confident that you have insulated it correctly.
