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Valor Gas Fireplaces can use a  unique HeatShift ™ system that transfers convective heat upwards through hidden ducts and directs it back into the room, completely bypassing walls and surface areas around the fireplace. 

This allows you to enjoy the peace of mind that surrounding walls, artwork, electronics and construction materials stay cool and are protected.

HeatShift ™ elevates heat naturally using gravity and convection – hot air rises. A raised heat outlet improves convection airflow and circulates air back into the room at a higher elevation, reducing wall temperatures and improving overall performance.

How HeatShift ™ works with your Valor Gas Fireplace

1. Radiant heat from the firebox warm the people and objects in it’s path in the room
2. Convective air rises naturally with HeatShift™, instead of conducting out and heating the wall and surrounds of the fireplace as a traditionally designed fireplace would
3. Better heat exchange and superior air flow is created by shifting the hot air outlets higher up the wall, increasing comfort

Installation options

There are different installation options available with the LX2, Linea, Valor H5 and Valor H6 gas fireplaces

WALL PLENUM

A front wall outlet featuring a 38″ or 48″ plenum that can be painted to match your room design.

SIDE-WALL GRILLES

Position the grilles on two side walls to maintain a clean wall front, and paint to match your room design.

TOP VALANCE

Hide the system behind a wall valance while still maintaining the perfect balance of radiant and convective heat.

If you are interested in heating other areas of your home, talk to us about Valor’s Remote Blower option for multizone heating

Modern thermal comfort in winter is provided by heating the entire volume of air in a room or building. In earlier times, our ancestor’s  heating methods  were more localized: heating people, not places and things.

They used radiant heat sources such as a fire,  that warmed only certain parts of a room, creating microclimates of comfort. These people countered the large temperature differences with insulating furniture, such as hooded chairs and folding screens and sat close to the fire. 

So what is Radiant heat and what other types of heat are there?

The are 3 types of heat source

1. Radiant Heat – This is the transfer of heat via electromagnetic radiation and the infrared waves that are emitted are absorbed by people and furniture as opposed to heating the air in the room. Fireplaces of all types (Wood, Gas) emit radiant heat – we feel the warmth on our skin in the same way as we feel warmth from the sun. 
2.  Conduction – This is the transfer of heat due to physical contact between 2 objects. Thermal energy (heat) will flow from the warmer to the cooler object. The speed of transfer depends on the material – metal transfers heat quickly whereas wood will be slower. Conduction all occurs between physical objects and air, but this effect is limited due to the high thermal resistance of air.  Zero clearance fireplaces such as those using Valor HeatShift Technology will transfer conductive heat away from the fireplace and upwards through hidden ducts to direct it back into the room. This allows them to be installed close to combustible materials and not need a traditional fireplace hearth
3. Convection is the most common form of space heating. Convection occurs when the air in the room is heated, it becomes less dense and rises away from the heat source. As it moves further away, it cools, becomes heavier and falls back to the ground. This creates a convection current. Convection stoves heat and circulate warm air around a room by air being drawn in and using fans to assist the distribution of heat around the room

The EnerChoice trademark was developed to assist consumers in identifying which fireplaces are most suitable for supplemental heating solutions. 

Every fireplace shipped in Canada is tested for efficiency and will have an EnerGuide rating which is also known as Fireplace Efficiency (FE).  The EnerChoice designation is only granted to models that meet the defined efficiency thresholds. 

This trademark was developed to assist consumers in identifying which fireplaces are most suitable for supplemental heating solutions. It has its origins in British Columbia (BC), Canada.  This designation and labelling was developed to identify to consumers which fireplaces are most suitable for supplemental heating solutions.    These thresholds were established as part of a consultation process with Industry, Gas Utilities, Regulators and other stakeholders.

An EnerChoice designation is granted to models that meet the efficiency thresholds that indicate the most efficient models in the market.

ENERCHOICE THRESHOLDS

Vented Gas Fireplace Inserts – 61%
Vented Freestanding Gas Stoves – 66%
Zero Clearance Vented Gas Fireplace – 62.4%

If intended for use as a heating appliance, an EnerChoice rated model can save money and energy. The actual savings depends on many factors such as local climate, the cost of fuel, the efficiency of the appliance and the efficiency of the dwelling itself.  

Only the efficiency calculated by the CSA P.4.1 test is considered when determining eligibility to bear the registered EnerChoice trademark.  When looking at fireplace efficiency, make sure you are looking at the FE generated by the CSA P.4.1 test

Maxwell Fireplace stocks a wide range of EnerChoice Fireplaces. These vendors have shown a commitment to the EnerGuide program that allow these initiatives to continue and grow.

Maxwell Fireplace now has an online Fireplace Design Center to help you build and design your perfect Valor Fireplace

With this easy tool you can easily browser through the range of Valor Fireplaces available and choose the type, components and options to create your dream gas fireplace. All without leaving your home!

To use the online Fireplace Design Center follow through these easy steps

Step 1: What kind of Fireplace do you need

• Gas Fireplace – designed for a new construction or renovation
• Gas Insert – A gas Fireplace to be installed into an existing fireplace cavity
• Gas Stove – A Gas fireplace that resembles a wood burning stove or Fireplace

Step 2: Choose the Valor Fireplace Model that you want

Step 3: Choose the Components (Liner, Fuel bed, Trims)

Step 4: Brows a background. Visualize how it could look in your home with a choice of backgrounds to match the look and feel of your home

Step 5: Select any optional accessories (such as Direct Vent sidewall terminal, Siding kits, Finishing Frames etc)

Step 6 : Share your build with us either by Email / print out or social media. Or, save it to your own wishlist

We will be happy to answer any questions you might have whilst you are building the perfect fireplace for your home

A Direct Vent gas fireplace is a safe and efficient alternatives to traditional gas and wood burning fireplaces. They don’t require a traditional brick chimney but instead, use a completely sealed firebox and venting system to pull fresh outside air into the firebox for combustion while simultaneously venting combustion gases outside of the house.

The fireplace pulls in air from the outdoors through the outer chamber of a double vent pipe; the inner chamber of this pipe exhausts fumes. The natural flow of heat creates a convention loop and as hot air exits the pipe, cooler, denser air is siphoned in to fill the void. Since direct vent fireplaces generate cooler combustion gases, no flue is needed; the pipes can be installed through the wall.

Because the firebox and venting system are sealed the combustion air is drawn from outside the home and the by products of combustion will be vented outside, preventing build up within the home.

Direct vent fireplaces burn natural gas or propane like traditional fireplaces; however, they convert most of the fuel to usable heat. Unlike a wood fireplace, they are completely sealed off from the interior rooms by a glass door, which prevents significant heat loss from the room

Direct vent gas fireplaces are also known as just a Gas fireplace or Zero Clearance Fireplaces

What is a Zero Clearance Gas Fireplace?

Zero-Clearance Fireplaces are pre-manufactured fireplaces where the unit or firebox can be placed almost directly against combustible materials like wood, walls, or paneling. This  eliminates the need for a buffer zone and allows the fireplace to fit into much smaller openings. The fireplace is built using materials that do not allow the outside of the fireplace to get hot enough to burn other materials.

What kind of venting does a Direct Vent Gas fireplace need?

There are two types of direct vented appliances: co-linear or collinear, and co-axial. The term “direct vent” is used interchangeably between the two venting options which sometimes adds to the confusion.

Coaxial direct vent system.

The vent pipe is a pipe within a pipe.  A common system includes a 5″ inner exhaust pipe surrounded by an 8″ outer pipe.  The space between the two allows for the air intake.  This type of vent pipe can be installed inside a wall or wooden chase.  There are clearance requirements to combustible materials (e.g. wood studs or drywall).  Typically, if the vent is running vertically, you need a minimum of 1″ clearance all the way around the pipe.  If the pipe is running horizontally, you need a minimum of 3″ clearance from the top of the pipe and 1″ clearance from the sides and bottom of the pipe.  These vent systems can be run up through a roof with a vertical endpoint or out through an exterior wall with a horizontal termination. 

Co-Linear direct vent system.

Co-linear systems feature two pipes that run parallel to each other, one to pull in fresh air for combustion, the other to exhaust combustion byproducts. Co-linear venting is most often used with Direct Vent fireplace inserts in masonry chimneys and can only be terminated vertically.

Direct Vent Fireplace Installation

Direct Vent fireplaces can be installed in practically any location but must be installed correctly by a licensed professional. The fireplace should be serviced annually to clear and calibrate the burner