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Black Goose

Black Goose

Chimney Sweep | Williamsburg, Yorktown, Newport News, & Hampton

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How Upgrading to Gas Adds Value and Efficiency to Your Home

 

November 21, 2022 by primm

Gas fireplaces are a popular upgrade for many homes. They reduce the work needed to use your fireplace, burn cleaner and without as much buildup in your chimney, and have more customization options to complete the perfect look in your living room. Installation today is also much less expensive and complicated than it used to be, and gas fireplaces are becoming a popular upgrade for many homeowners.

However, there are some important things to take into consideration when you are looking at upgrading to gas logs. Black Goose Chimney is a leading expert in the Hampton Roads and Tidewater areas for gas log installation and maintenance. In this article we will discuss the important facts you need to know about gas fireplaces so that you can make an informed decision about whether one is right for your home.

First, let’s explore some of the conveniences and advantages to a gas fireplace. They are easy to start, some needing just a match and others turning on with the push of a button. Unlike wood-burning fireplaces, gas units do not require the constant adding and adjusting of wood logs as a source of fuel. The temperature is much more adjustable as you can turn the gas up or down with the simple turn of a knob or even with a remote control. Once turned on, gas fireplaces begin to heat the room immediately; with traditional fireplaces, you have to wait for the logs to really catch and start burning for several minutes before they begin to emit much heat.

Gas-burning fireplaces are more fuel-efficient and do not produce as much waste as wood, meaning that your chimney will have much less buildup of soot and creosote. And finally, gas fireplaces are considered by many to be a safer option than wood-burning units. They do not throw sparks the way logs can, and release fewer harmful emissions than wood does when it burns.

However, that does not mean that gas fireplaces are perfect! Different units will perform better or worse in certain homes, and some types of gas fireplaces are considered to be safer than others. It is important to consider why and how often you will be using your fireplace, your overall budget for installation, and safety factors to ensure you choose the right model for your home. At Black Goose Chimney we carry a variety of gas fireplaces to fit the exact needs of your house and your lifestyle. Continue reading to learn about the different types of gas fireplace and which one may work best for you!

Different types of gas fireplaces require different installation, safety precautions, and venting. This venting – how air comes in and goes out of the fireplace – is how gas fireplaces are categorized, and they are referred to as natural vent, direct vent, power vent, or ventless systems. There are also gas log inserts that vent up your existing chimney. Depending on what you want from your fireplace, your existing masonry, and the structure of your home, one venting option may be more suitable than another.

Often the most inexpensive option for those considering adding a gas fireplace is a gas log insert or a “log set”. This is a gas log grate that is placed into your existing firebox, where you once burned wood. Air comes into the fireplace from the room in the home, and exits up the chimney and out of the structure. Open-hearth gas log inserts are not very efficient as they lose significant amounts of heat up the chimney. However, you can retain that open-fireplace feel and enjoy an experience more similar to a wood-burning fireplace with this option. Gas log inserts typically do not need electricity to run, but due to how inefficiently they heat a space, this may not be much help in the event of a snowstorm and power outage!

A more efficient gas fireplace can also be installed using the existing chimney and firebox. These are called “natural vent” or “B vent” fireplaces and can be open front or sealed behind glass, but must vent vertically. This type of fireplace has a more sophisticated venting system that still draws air from inside the home, but vents up the chimney through a hose or pipe that runs through your existing masonry. They are more efficient and can produce more heat than a gas log insert, and can be safely used without electricity.

“Direct vent” gas fireplaces are a type of fireplace in which both the cool air coming into the firebox for combustion and the hot air carrying the emissions are piped to and from the outside of the home. Since none of the air from the fireplace will come from or exit into the inside of your home, this is a “sealed” system. These fireplaces always have a glass front and emit heat into the room very efficiently, as the inside can reach high temperatures without drafts from the outside.

Sealed systems are better for the air quality in your home as well as the efficiency of the heat produced and retained by the fireplace. These can also be used if the power is out, and are often great for “zone heating” certain rooms of your home without having to turn on the heat to the entire house. Because a direct vent fireplace does not depend on the existing chimney for its exhaust, it can be vented horizontally as well as vertically. That means that you can install this type of fireplace in many different areas of your home.

If your fireplace has to vent a long distance through your home to the exterior, some direct vent systems have a power assist in the form of an electric fan or “power vent” that drives air from outside into the fireplace and out the vent instead of relying on a natural draft. These systems allow gas fireplaces to be installed virtually anywhere in a building, but do require electricity to be run safely. However, you can reduce your overall power burden by turning off your central HVAC system and using your gas fireplace to efficiently heat just the area of your house that you are spending time in.

Some gas fireplaces are advertised as being ventless or vent-free, using technology and filtering to clean the hot air exiting the combustion area instead of venting it outside the home. However, there are increased health risks including exposure to carbon monoxide and an increased moisture buildup in the area around the fireplace. We do not recommend or install ventless fireplaces due to the risks, but do have many options for a closed system or natural venting fireplace to suit your home and your budget!

Category iconGas Fireplaces

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Google Rating
4.2
Based on 54 reviews
Black Goose Chimney
Black Goose Chimney
4.2
Bill McCoy
If I could give negative stars I would! These guys jerked my 80 year old mother around during Christmas when it was freezing. Someone told Mom to call these guys because the furnace was venting into the basement. A dude looking like Bob Marley shows up and says he can't fix it or even look at it because we have slate roof and they need special equipment to get up there. Ok. I get it. When can you come back? Someone will call you. No. No one called me. I called the next week. By this time mom had to sleep downstairs in front of fireplace to stay warm. I called. Dude on phone said he didn't know anything about it but would get back to me day after New Years. He didn't. I called again on Wednesday. No one answered. I left a message. Nothing.
Dorethea Johnson
They attempted to charge me an absorbent amount for money a fireplace chain cover. They qouted a me the price for it. They didn't have it in stock. When It came in. They had changed the price by more than double.
Kyle Russell
I seen a employee hit another vehicle on 64 and keep driving. Wouldn't want that integrity working at my house.
William Chandler
Very professional and thorough.
Jory Morrison
Frances McCoy-Brown
From the person answering the phone and scheduling my appointment. To the two men who came out and did a chimney check were very courteous and professional. I was provided with information that would help me make an informed decision. There was no hard sell ! I would recommend them.
Yvonne Richardson
Had my chimney and firebox repaired. they did the work in very reasonable time and did a very good job. Were on time and were respectful, courteous and professional. Cleaned up nicely also. The lady in the office was very friendly and helpful.
Fran Spady
The gentlemen were professional and left my home clean. They were thorough in their inspection and answered our questions. They took pictures so we could see repairs. He wrote up more than one bid so we could take care of the necessities first. There was no hard sell or pushing to purchase.Thank you Black Goose. I have a new chimney sweep!
Bridget Sims
Brian Lucas
I paid them to perform a diagnostic on my gas logs that were not lighting. The Tech determined I have a faulty valve and told me the office would look up the part and send me a quote to replace it. That was nearly three months ago. I called the office twice during that time to remind them and got the run-around. Don’t waste your time on this company.
Amanda Wroten
Ken Nelson
Pauretta Banks
Love my fire place! They did a great job and made sure I was satisfied before they left.
Wayne Sears
Tom Jowers
High prices but as the old saying goes "you get what you pay for." In this case, quality service.
John Sims
This company helped fix our chimney after a very scary fire we had. Great quality work and very professional crew
Pamela Mason
Black Goose Chimney did a superb job for us. Their technician Joe is a pleasure to work with and is not only professional and polite, but does fantastic work! On time, great workmanship and a pleasure to work with - what more can you ask for. I would recommend BlacK Goose Chimney to anyone.
Deborah Hill
Michael Chase
What a great team. Highly professional, knowledgable and no nonsense tell it like it is workers. Sergey is a master brick layer and technician. I will not use anyone else when it comes to brick and chimney work.The owner, Jim and Kathy, front office, are absolutely great to work with. I highly reccommend this company.
William Marx
The terracota liner to the oil boiler had broken after 50 years. Jim came out and gave an estimate and managed to promptly get a crew here on a Saturday to replace it with a steel liner. The crew, Sergei and Michael, arrived on time and were quite polite, efficient and neat. The left the house in better shape than when they arrived. They took care that the 5 month old puppy was kept away from the repair materials. Michael went so far as to clear the entire roof of pine needles, not just the area he was working. Greatly appreciated. They truly went the extra mile!
Selina Tyler
James Simone
Wanted to charge a $99.00 service call for an estimate. Other companies came for free
Sean B
Don Lovis
They came out to do a dryer vent sweep. They quoted me 800.00 labor for 2 hours to fix one dryer pipe 10 ft long. Hired another company and charged 75.00. I will never use them again
Anthony Cronin
Very ProfessionalShared Concern To Apply Money To Return Maximum Value With Highest Quality!
Wayne Booth
Called today to schedule cleaning two chimneys. The price they quoted was more than double other places I called. And they were booked out three weeks. The company I scheduled with was six weeks out. It was worth the wait.
Peter Henrie
Very disappointed with my experience with this company. I called to get a quote for a gas stove installed. They sent their employee who charged me $100 to quote me, this wasn't told to me on the initial call, only at the end of the onsite visit to quote. I was told it would be removed from cost of the installation however they were unresponsive to calls and emails multiple times afterwards that I gave up moving forward with them. Would sadly not recommend.
billd354
Used this company about 6 or 7 years ago for a new crown and mortar joint work. Felt they did a good job. Tried to get them to do more work, however after sending me a confirmation phone call that they would be there, they cancelled at the last minute. They did call me and tell me that a person called in sick, so I asked if the next time I schedule that they guarantee no matter what, they meet their appointment obligations. The person would not and so other person called me back, who also would not. They obviously gave preferential treatment to some customers, because they didn't get cancelled. This person told me a different story, that the person was in a car accident the previous day. Then why didn't they call me first thing in the morning? This person also would not guarantee that they would definitely be there on the reschedule. If you live on the southside, you can expect to be the first to be cancelled. Which was it? Sick, car accident, or just didn't want to drive through the tunnel because both people I talked to wanted to give me to their competitors.
Chris Burrell
The guys that came to the house were great!! Highly recommend!!!
Nikki Edgerton
Tim Pratt
Jerry Fortner
Enjoying another early season fire watching football thanks to Blue Goose Chimney. Great system been years we have been able to enjoy our fireplace!Jerry FortnerPoquoson, VA
I C
Barry Hughes
Very frustrated in dealing with the office of this business. My chimney inspection was completed on the 18th of October and I called last week and then sent an email and kristin responded on the 11th of November and said she would have something by the 13th. It's now the 15th and nothing. Not right at all.if you can't
kathryn howard
I have used Black Goose for over 15 years. I needed serious work to our fireplace and chimney which they took care of and they have been out to inspect and or sweep every year since. They are always timely and fair. They only sweep about every other year so I'm not charged a sweep, it's based on how much we have used the fireplace. We have had no problems at all since the repair and I only have them to thank.
Rhonda Saunders
These guys are very professional and they know there stuff. Very honest and trustworthy
Wesley Stilson
Great service. Sergey and his helper showed up during the allotted time. They did a full inspection of my wood stove to ensure it was installed correctly to code. they did a full borescope inspection of the stove pipe and chimney pipe and found one sheet metal screw that was installed incorrectly. they fixed it and did a full sweep. They cleaned up their mess and provided me input on when to have them back for another sweep. Top notch service. They will not disappoint.
Eric Marsalis
Marilyn Keener
I highly recommend Black Goose Chimney. They arrived on time and did an excellent cleaning job. I found them to be very knowledgeable and professional. I would not hesitate to use them again.
Jeffrey Sheffield
Trustworthy, prompt, and professional. Couldn't ask for a better experience.
Adam Russell
Expert technicians, receptionists needs some work though. Completely satisfied all the same.
Ellen Charles
We had a knowledgeable chimney sweep come and inspect our fireplace and chimney. We knew that our fireplace had a bad back wall and knew there maybe some problems with the chimney. He explained what needed to be done and the cost. They had two very nice guys come and do the repairs. They worked well together and cleaned up afterwards. They showed my husband pictures of what they did to the chimney. From the time I called setup an appointment and the work being completed was about 8 days.
Jeff Prunier
The team at Black Goose Chimney took care of my fireplace and my wood stove with courtesy and professionalism! I highly recommend them. Not only did they put a new chimney cap on and replace the mortar, they answered all my questions and made sure I was confident in preparing a fire. Don't delay, call today!
Mike Levering (Throls)
I had an appointment window of 1:30 to 3:30. At 3:40 I called them asking for an ETA . The receptionist stated that a technician had installed the cap first thing in the morning. I explained to receptionist that was impossible since no one from Black Goose had been to my home. After some back and forth the receptionist stated she would have to see the pictures of the job and would get back to me the following day. I received a phone call the following day and was informed the chimney sweep installed the cap on the wrong house.This review would not have been necessary if Black Goose had been more proactive in addressing my concerns since there was still time in the day to put on the cap or at least offered to compensate me for my lost time. Perhaps they were just having a bad day and my experience with their service was just a fluke. Unfortunately their bad day cost me my afternoon. I strongly recommend you look elsewhere for your chimney needs.TL;DR: They put the cap on the wrong house.
Skyler Yugo
Nice crew, honest about condition of our chimney, quick work and reasonably priced.
Cody Stickle
Patty from Black Goose is the best!
Heather Westmoreland
The fellows at Black Goose are very friendly and professional. They give you their honest opinion even if means that they won't get any work from it. I've had them come out for two years in a row and I feel confident with their services.
Kim Enroughty
I know nothing about chimneys so I was reluctant to call someone for an inspection. I couldn't be more pleased with the service I received from Black Goose Chimney Sweep. John was very professional and answered all my questions. I feel confident that I will call them again for one of their many other services.
Christopher Costa
I have been organizing the annual dryer vent cleaning for my 13 unit Condo Association for the past 3 years! I have not been satisfied with the service from the past two companies so I contacted Black Goose Chimney. I am so happy that I did. The service was complete and professional in every way. Patty and Ike drove out to Virginia Beach to look at the job ahead of time. We split it into two days so that they would have enough time to service each unit properly. We chose a weekday and a Saturday. The crew who came on Tuesday were Ryan, Jesse and Sergey. They were very courteous and thorough. They recorded air flow readings before and after service and provided a receipt with all of the info. They cleaned each vent from inside and outside, protected floors and cleaned up after themselves. I'm not sure who the crew was on Saturday but I have not heard any complaints so I am confident that all went well!I will definately call Black Goose again next year!
John Pierce
Ryan M. and Jessie came out to inspect 9 fireplaces for a local Girl Scout camp. I asked a lot of questions and Ryan was more than willing to take his time and explain everything to me that I wanted to know. He is very knowledgeable, friendly and thorough. Thanks Black Goose!
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