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Fireplace Terms Don't Need to Confuse You
BTUs -- British Thermal Unit, the primary heat
measurement unit used by the hearth industry. It is the amount
of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 lb. of water by 1
degree F. at sea level.
B-Vent -- A gas-burning appliance that takes in
combustion air from the home and vents products of combustion
outside the home. B-Vent is also commonly known as natural vent.
Builder Series -- Fireplaces specially designed for
builders and contractors, featuring a beautiful blend of
elegance, efficiency and economy.
Cabinet -- A fireplace cabinet is usually a wooden
finishing option for direct vent or vent-free fireplaces which
are installed on the floor of the room and vented through the
wall. They encase the entire fireplace and can be made for walls
or corners. They range from 13 to 28 inches deep.
Catalytic Combustor -- A device used on some wood burning
stoves to reduce the temperature at which smoke is ignited.
Catalytic or Non-Catalytic -- Catalytic wood stoves and
fireplace inserts have ceramic honeycombed chambers coated with
a metal catalyst (usually platinum or palladium) that works to
increase the rate of combustion. The catalytic combustor burns
away gases and particulates normally emitted into the air.
Catalytic wood stoves allow people to burn wood at lower
temperatures for longer periods of time. With Non-Catalytic wood
stoves, combustion occurs in the firebox. These stoves are
generally less expensive than catalytic wood stoves and require
less maintenance.
Chase -- A structure built around, and enclosing,
portions of the chimney and in some cases, housing the appliance.
Circulating Firebox -- Has louvers at the top and bottom
so that a fan can be installed. Louvers cannot be covered.
Clearance -- The distance required by building and fire
codes between stove, smoke pipe or chimney and combustible
materials such as wood furniture or carpets. Clearances must be
observed even if noncombustible plaster or other masonry
materials protect the combustible materials, such as wood
furniture or carpets.
Direct Vent -- An appliance that draws combustion air
from outdoors and exhausts it's combustion products to the
outdoors eliminating the need for a standard chimney system. A
glass panel in direct vent units is critical to keeping the
combustion system sealed from the home, maintaining high
efficiency and indoor air quality.
Electronic Ignition -- Requires electricity to start the
unit either 110 volt or battery.
EPA Regulations -- Government regulations of wood burning
appliances mandating that products sold after July 1, 1992 emit
no more than 4.1 grams of particulate matter per hour for
catalytic-equipped units and no more than 7.5 grams for
non-catalytic-equipped units.
Firebox -- That portion of the solid fuel appliance where
the fuel is located and where primary combustion occurs.
Hearth -- The floor of the firebox, most commonly used in
reference to fireplaces. More generally, the foundation upon
which fires for aesthetic and heating purposes are built.
Differs from floor
protection.
High-Efficiency Wood-Burning Fireplace -- EPA-approved
fireplaces offering a balance of elegance and energy efficiency.
Inserts -- Heating units that retrofit into an existing
fireplace (masonry or factory-built). They burn wood, gas or
pellets and offer superior efficiency.
Mantel (Flush Mantel) -- Another finishing option for
direct vent and ventless fireplaces. They can be wood, marble or
stone. The mantels do not encase the entire fireplace, but frame
it. Therefore they are only 1 3/4 to 2 1/2 inches deep. Mantels
are used when the fireplace is installed inside the wall or on
the outside wall of the house.
Manually Controlled -- Control the height of the flame at
the unit only.
Mid-Efficient, Heat-Circulating, Wood-Burning Fireplace
-- Security's HE43 fireplace adds style and warmth to any home
with 50% efficiency and a panoramic view of the fire.
ODS -- Oxygen Depletion Sensor - A safety device that
activates the fire's flame monitoring device in case excessive
levels of CO² (deadly carbon monoxide), are detected. This would
reduce the levels of oxygen, causing the pilot flame to become
unstable and lift off the thermocouple tip. The fire then turns
off automatically before the situation becomes dangerous.
Pellet Burning -- Made of 100% wood sawdust with no
additives. The sawdust in pellets is a manufacturing byproduct
otherwise destined for landfills.
Radiant Fireboxes -- Also known as flush face. The facing
(Stone, Tile, Brick) can cover above and below the fireplace
opening.
Remote Ready -- Able to turn the unit on and off remotely
via a wired or wireless remote. Remote is sold separately. The
height of the flame cannot be adjusted remotely. Not recommended
for vented gas logs.
Surround -- For this site we will define a fireplace
surround as a marble or tile frame between the fireplace itself
and the wooden mantel. Cabinets seldom use surrounds. However,
some manufacturers do call a wooden cabinet a "cabinet surround."
Thermostatically Controlled -- Senses the temperature at
the unit not of the room. Not as versatile as a remote ready
with a thermostat.
Variable Flame Height -- Via the remote, you can increase
and decrease the height of the flame and turn the unit on and
off. Also available in thermostatically controlled.
Vent-Free -- Gas appliance that has no need for a flue.
Although vent-free units offer high efficiency, some areas may
not permit their use. Please check with your local building
official.
Zero Clearance Fireplace -- A factory-built fireplace
that is constructed so that it can be placed, safely, close to
combustible material.
About the author:
Harold Wagner is a National Fireplace Institute Certified
technician for Wood Burning and Gas Fireplaces and has been in
the industry for over 15 years. Fireplaces Now.com has
been in business since 1981 with an internet presence since
1997. Our knowledgeable sales staff is here to answer your
questions 24/7. Call toll free 1-877-669-4669.
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