Michael Holigan: If you're going to build a new home and planning on having a fireplace, we've got a couple of suggestions for you. One, up front, decide whether you want gas or wood. Two, if you go with wood, make sure you have an exterior air intake. Almost all fireplaces today are prefab zero clearance fireplace. Zero clearance means the fireplace does not need a foundation, it can be installed against an existing wall, in other words, you can put your fireplace just about anywhere you want in the house. This fireplace is being installed in a living room. Once the hole is cut in the ceiling, and the framing is taken care of, then it's time to actually install the unit.
Al Carrell: Now, we could install this fireplace directly on the floor, but the home owner would like to have a raised hearth, so we're going to raise it with these blocks.
M.H.: Once the fireplace is leveled, then it's time to put in the pipe or flue. Since heat and smoke rise, it's best to have the flue go straight up, but sometimes we have to install an elbow, and that's okay. The flue has two pipes, an inner pipe and an outer pipe. The air between the two pipes stays cool, keeping the outer pipe from getting too hot and starting a fire. Next, we put in a piece of metal called a fire stop. It holds the pipe from the fire block by 1 inch, which is a piece of wood 5/8" thick. The purpose for this is if a fire ever started down below in your house, and it was coming up through the chase, it will slow the fire down and give you more time to escape. Next is the exterior air vent. This vent can be placed right outside the house next to where the fireplace is or run up through the roof. It's easy to install. Simply cut a hole in the exterior wall of the house, pull the air duct through the hole in the wall, attach it to the vent and secure it. The vent allows fresh air from outside to fuel the fire rather than pulling air from inside the house that you've already paid to heat. And when you're not using the fireplace, you can flip this switch and close off the air from outside. If installed while your new home is being built, this air vent will cost you about $20, and that's money you can save in energy costs in the first months you use the fireplace.
A.C.: Can you believe that these are gas logs? Not only do they look real, but also they have some other advantages. For example, I don't have to go out in the middle of winter time and haul in a bunch of wet logs. And then later on I don't have to haul the ashes out. And this particular one is operated by remote control. Want to turn it off? It goes off. You want to turn it back on? Push the button again. No matter what kind of fireplace you get, be sure you get gas fireplace doors. They really are great. Not only are they going to keep the expensive heat that you've already created in your home, and not let it be sucked up the chimney, they also prevent embers from popping out on the rug and keep kids from getting into the fireplace. There are a lot of great things you can do with a fireplace and it's really going to add a lot to your home. Why don't you check out your local fireplace store and see what all they have to offer. A fireplace is something you're going to really love.
Episode 31 1996 - 97 Season
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