How Gas Logs with Electronic Ignition Compare to Gas Logs with a Safety Pilot

Electronic Ignition eliminates the wasted fuel of a standing pilot while providing better safety protection. Most new gas appliances (driers, hot water heaters and forced air systems) are actually required to be manufactured with electronic ignition systems because of the annual fuel savings. Gas logs are an exception, at least for the time being.

An electronic ingnition system for a gas log is roughly $390 more than a standard manual safety pilot and about $150 more than a basic on/off remote safety pilot. So the big question is...is it actually worth it? Will the amount of gas it saves actually cover the cost of the upgrade?

Your actual cost savings depends greatly on how many days out of the year you would normally leave a safety pilot burning and how much you pay for your gas. The calculator below allows you to enter in your own numbers so that you can actually calculate the expected savings based on "Your" expected usage and fuel...and ultimately be able to make an educated buying decision.

The calculator below is preset to assume that you will never turn off your safety pilot (because many people simply don't) and uses national averages for fuel costs. You can change these numbers to calculate your actual cost.

How many years will it take for
Electronic Ignition to pay for itself?
(Change days pilot is left on and your local fuel costs to calculate for your actual use)

Results show here...

If you do not understand this call: 1-800-201-1193 and talk to a Gas Log Expert!

Results show here...

Resource for average fuel costs:
DOE Heating Fuel Comparisons

Have a Question About? Ask an Expert!

Answers to Recent Gas Logs Questions Posted To This Page

Question #9272 - Posted: 1/28/2012 11:04:54 AM

Gas Logs Question

http://www.hansenwholesale.com/gas-logs/gaslogfaqs.asp

we have direct vent gas fireplace, has on-off switch - will fireplace work when the power is out?

Answer: We do not sell or support direct vent fireplaces. I would suggest that you Google the make and model of your fireplace to see if you can come up with an owners manual so you can learn how it operates. If you use the advanced search feature for Google you can select to search only for .pdf files, which will make it much easier to refine your search.

Question #9267 - Posted: 1/12/2012 2:40:29 PM

Gas Logs Question

http://www.hansenwholesale.com/gas-logs/default.asp

Why do gas logs smoke up a room?

Answer: Gas logs should NOT smoke up a room, so if that is what is happening with your gas log set, then something is definitely wrong. If you are burning the logs with your damper closed, that would explain it. But I assume that you are not doing that. It is possible that something is blocking your chimney, so you may need to have a chimney sweep come take a look. Some fireplaces are poorly designed and simply do not create enough draft, so both gas logs and real wood will smoke up the house. If your house is tightly sealed, your fireplace may not be able to create a draft, in which case you will need to open a window. It could be the gas log set you own is poorly made or installed incorrectly.

If you email me some pictures of your fireplace and gas logs, I may be able to give you more direct input. Email your pictures to: gregt@hansenwholesale.com

Question #9266 - Posted: 1/8/2012 10:09:18 AM

Gas Logs Question

http://www.hansenwholesale.com/gas-logs/burners.asp

My fireplace does not have a damper but I want vented logs in it . What will I need to do in order to have vented gas logs in it?

Answer: You do not have to have a damper to use vented gas logs since they are supposed to be burned with the damper open anyways. But, you must have a chimney. So, when you say you do not have a damper, do you actually have a chimney that vents the fireplace to above the roof line, or is it sealed off at the top inside your fireplace where the damper should be? If you email me some pictures of your fireplace so I can see what is inside...including how it looks at the top inside the opening, I may be able to offer you more information. Email pictures to: gregt@hansenwholesale.com

Question #9263 - Posted: 1/7/2012 11:13:21 AM

Gas Logs Question

http://www.hansenwholesale.com/gas-logs/default.asp

We want to be able to leave ventless gas logs on low setting all night to supplement our heat pump when it is going to be very cold (in teens to single digits) overnight, are these made to withstand this type of use?

Answer: Ventless gas logs are not supposed to be burned for more than 6 continuous hours per day or more than a total of 40 hours per week. The owners manual on every ventless gas log will state this quite clearly. This is a national building code standard for your safety. The reason is that they produce a lot of water vapor, which can certainly lead to the production of mold and mildew if they are over-used. They also deplete the oxygen in the air and replace it with carbon dioxide, which is not healthy. They should NEVER be operated when you are sleeping or not in the room for extended periods of time.

Question #9262 - Posted: 1/4/2012 10:32:34 PM

Gas Logs Question - R.H. Peterson Model PL-CHFRG10-30-15P

View model PL-CHFRG10-30-15P
PL-CHFRG10-30-15P - http://www.hansenwholesale.com/gas-logs/model.asp?SetModel=PL-CHFRG10-30-15P

I have a G10-30-15P unit. Can I have the 15P control replaced by the 01VP control? If so, what is the cost?

Answer: You cannot just replace the control and value, you must replace the entire burner system. This is part of the safety regulations for ventless products. There is no allowance for field conversions of ventless gas logs.

Question #9261 - Posted: 12/31/2011 12:41:59 PM

Gas Logs Question

http://www.hansenwholesale.com/gas-logs/remote-gas-logs.asp

I have gas logs in my original fireplace. I want to increase the heat output and want a remote control. What are my options? Thanks, Elizabeth

Answer: Very little can be done to increase the heat output of an existing gas log, so you are most likely going to have to replace it with one designed for heat. Since you apparently are not getting much heat from your gas logs right now I assume you have a vented gas log set that must be burned with the damper open, so the heat goes up the chimney. If you really want heat, you need to replace the entire burner and log setup with a new Ventless gas log that can be burned with the damper closed. Ventless gas logs are not for everybody because they produce an odor that some people just do not like. My suggestion would be to read this article: Vented -vs- Ventless Gas Logs. I would also suggest that you email me some pictures of your fireplace and gas logs so I can see what you have as well as what could potentially be installed. Email pictures to: gregt@hansenwholesale.com and include your fireplace measurements (front width, front height, depth, rear width).

Question #9260 - Posted: 12/31/2011 12:35:35 PM

Gas Logs Question

http://www.hansenwholesale.com/recommendations.asp

Hello, I need 30" fireplace logs but want some with a great flame. I have logs but flame is very small,what set do you recommend that looks like a blazing fire?

Answer: Without knowing how much flame you are getting right now it is difficult to compare to what you might expect to get from the best logs on the market today. Can you possibly take some pictures of your gas logs both on and off so I can see what we are up against?

I will say that often times people buy logs that are simply too large for the fireplace. The larger the log set, the lower the flame is...which is just the nature of the beast. The reason being that there are building code restrictions on the amount of gas a burner can use, so the wider the burner is, the less height the flame can be. You might find that switching to a 24" gas log will produce the flame you desire without compromising the appearance in your fireplace. There are some 24" sets that are rather massive and may look better proportioned in your fireplace than the 30" set you have.

So if you can email me some pictures, I will be able to give you more pertinent advice. I would also like the following measurements of your fireplace:

Front Opening Width:
Front Opening Height:
Back Width:
Depth front to back:

Email pictures and info to: gregt@hansenwholesale.com

Question #9259 - Posted: 12/31/2011 10:08:31 AM

Gas Logs Question - R.H. Peterson Model PL-CHDG4-24

View model PL-CHDG4-24
PL-CHDG4-24 - http://www.hansenwholesale.com/gas-logs/model.asp?SetModel=PL-CHDG4-24

Hi, We moved to a house in the ATL area w/Marco model 7928626 (solid wood fuel only). Dimensions are 30" Front X 15" Depth X 25" Rear width. Gas logs were already installed. We get major soot when lighting so we called out a local sweep. The sweep cleaned/inspected the chimney and quoted new charred oak logs for $821 (not sure if incl burner). Reading your site it looks like our soot problem may be related to having a gas starter which he never mentioned. What kind of setup can we get?

Answer: Can you email me some pictures of your fireplace? Show me the entire fireplace as well as some shots of what you have inside. I'm sure I will be able to give you a second opinion as well as save you some money on the log set. Email pictures to: gregt@hansenwholesale.com

Question #9257 - Posted: 12/31/2011 9:59:53 AM

Gas Logs Question

http://www.hansenwholesale.com/gas-logs/why-ventless-gaslogs-smell.asp

My Peterson gas logs are about 4 yrs old. The remote worked fine for two years but now does not. What could the problem be? Could it be the battery and can that be replaced?

Answer: It is most likely the batteries. There is a battery in both the transmitter and the receiver. You should be able to find the battery easily. Replace both batteries, and if it does not solve your problem then email me directly and I'll help you get in touch with someone who can troubleshoot your burner.

Question #9254 - Posted: 12/31/2011 9:29:27 AM

Gas Logs Question

http://www.hansenwholesale.com/gas-logs/how-safety-pilot-works.asp

I have a gas fireplace with on pilot valve is this legle in California or should I install a pilot failsafe valve?

Answer: Can you please restate your question...it does not make sense to me. Also, can you email me a picture of your fireplace and gas logs? That might help explain what you are trying to ask. Email pictures to: gregt@hansenwholesale.com

THE END

R.H. Peterson Gas Logs

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Vented - vs - Vent-Free

For a more in depth discussion read this page:
"Vented or Vent-Free - Find out which is best for your home!"

Which do I choose? We highly recommend "VENTED" gas logs and believe you will be more satisfied with your purchase if you make that choice!

Vented gas logs: Vented logs must be burned in a fully functional wood burning fireplace with the damper open. Vented gas logs burn much like a real wood fire so they will produce exhaust, which is why they must be burned with the damper open. Although they produce a very realistic flame, much of the heat they produce will go up the flu just like a wood fire. However, most people prefer vented gas logs because they look so much better and do provide similar warmth as a real fire as well as a nice cozy atmosphere when you are sitting in front of them. So open the wine bottle, kick back and enjoy!

Ventless gas logs: Ventless logs must be burned in either a wood burning fireplace or ventless firebox that is designed to use aftermarket ventless logs. We only recommend ventless logs if your sole purpose for burning the logs is to produce heat for short periods of time. Because you can burn ventless logs with the damper closed, all of the heat generated goes into the room. However, there are several negative facts about ventless logs that you must consider before you make a purchase...

Negative Features of Ventless Logs: Ventless logs are not legal in all cities and states (such as California). They burn with a "Nervous Flame" that is not as yellow, so they are not very realistic. There is an odor associated with ventless logs that many people do not like, so if you are sensitive to smell, you may be dissatisfied. They also produce excess moisture, which can cause mold or mildew to grow in your home. They can only be burned for short periods of time (3 to 4 hours), otherwise, they may start to consume too much oxygen in your home and shut themselves off. It is recommended that you crack open a window to allow fresh air in the room, which negates some of the heat efficiency. There are other restrictions that apply to ventless gas logs that may be dictated by your local building department. For example: some cities do not allow ventless logs in smaller rooms unless they are rated for 10,000 BTUs or less, which will give you almost no flame.

Building Codes: In either case, be sure to consult with your local building official to determine if there are any special requirements or restrictions for gas logs in your area.

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VENTED GAS LOGS

Vented gas logs are burned with the damper open. They look like a real wood fire but produce less heat.
Read about Vented Gas Logs!