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Home > Archive > Alternative Power sources > November 2005 > Gas Fireplace vs Furnace Energy Consumption
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Gas Fireplace vs Furnace Energy Consumption
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| I am a newbie here and I suspect this question has been asked before. Is
there any information available regarding gas consumption of a residential
gas furnace vs. a gas fireplace with internal blower (daily, monthly, etc)?
Our gas fireplaces are only six years old and both contain blowers. We only
run one at a time depending on whether we are upstairs or down. I have
rationalized that the lower pressure flame in the fireplace uses less gas
running continually* than the higher pressure furnace burners running
intermittently.
*By "continually" I should explain that we only run a fireplace in the
evening. Our setback thermostat keeps the furnace off until around 4:30;
then we decide weather to use the fireplace during the evening or weekend.
Using the upstairs fireplace (most common) effectively keeps the furnace off
in the most frigid conditions.
Anyone know of studies, websites, etc.
Thanks
RonB
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| Solar Flare 2005-11-09, 7:21 pm |
| The figuresa are typically posted in the advertisng brochures for fireplave
units.
Be very careful, as some figures are only published with the fan on full and the
rest goes up the chimney.
I have a unit that runs 93% without a fan and 94% with a fan.
"RonB" <rbrogan@cox.net> wrote in message news:Dxucf.2260$ih5.899@dukeread11...
> I am a newbie here and I suspect this question has been asked before. Is
> there any information available regarding gas consumption of a residential
> gas furnace vs. a gas fireplace with internal blower (daily, monthly, etc)?
> Our gas fireplaces are only six years old and both contain blowers. We only
> run one at a time depending on whether we are upstairs or down. I have
> rationalized that the lower pressure flame in the fireplace uses less gas
> running continually* than the higher pressure furnace burners running
> intermittently.
>
> *By "continually" I should explain that we only run a fireplace in the
> evening. Our setback thermostat keeps the furnace off until around 4:30;
> then we decide weather to use the fireplace during the evening or weekend.
> Using the upstairs fireplace (most common) effectively keeps the furnace off
> in the most frigid conditions.
>
> Anyone know of studies, websites, etc.
>
> Thanks
> RonB
>
>
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| barry@sme-online.com 2005-11-10, 3:21 pm |
| No basis for that rationalization. Consider: how little input energy
is used per each option to maintain desired conditions in the area
desired? The less, the more efficient, the better. One likely problem
with using the furnace is that the distribution system is wastefully
heating the whole place to the same temp, or trying to.
Zoning such a system would involve closing registers and doors to
(preferably) peripheral areas of house that don't need heat. So long
as t-stat is in area receiving flow from furnace.
Your description of the fireplaces unfortunately tells no story. If
they're worth a darn, they have tightly controlled draft (sealed doors)
and a heat-exchanger to keep the flue temp as low as possible. (e.g.
220-250 F) Else, they're primarily for show.
>From what I've seen, one of the current gas heating stoves (e.g. Jotul)
with through-wall venting, would heat efficiently and look pretty.
Win-win over fireplace, IMNSHO.
HTH,
J
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