Amps
An ampere (AMP) is the unit used to measure electric current. Current is a count of the number of electrons flowing through a circuit. One amp is the amount of current produced by a force of one volt acting through the resistance of one ohm.
How does HeatShift ™ works with your Valor gas fireplace?
- Radiant heat from the firebox warm the people and objects in it’s path in the room.
- 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.
- Better heat exchange and superior air flow is created by shifting the hot air outlets higher up the wall, increasing comfort.
If you are interested in heating other areas of your home, talk to us about Valor’s Remote Blower option for multizone heating
What is the difference between radiant heat, conduction and convection?
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Why choose an electric fireplace?
A modern electric fireplace is clean, energy efficient, and takes up very little space. With the flick of a switch a room can be heated and the fireplace can create an ambient atmosphere. They can be more cost effective and low maintenance than a gas or log burning fireplace. Electric fireplaces don’t need to be vented or professionally installed.
Advantages of Electric Fireplaces
- More affordable – Natural gas and log fires need venting and gas lines. Installation of an electric fireplace can be as simple as unboxing it and plugging into an electrical outlet.
- Very efficient – an electric fireplace is very efficient with no heat being lost to the outside via a chimney or venting.
- Limited maintenance required – an occasional wipe down of the glass front and replacing a lightbulb is all the is required.
- Less space needed. A hung electric fireplace only protrudes 6″ to 8″ into a room, and a recessed fireplace only needs this much room.
- Suitable for apartments or condos where there is no existing fireplace, gas lines or ventilation. A wide selection of makes and models to fit any space.
- Zone heating – a great source of supplemental heat
- Enjoy the ambiance of real fire without the mess. Flame effect technology can now produce amazingly realistic flames.
How does an electric fireplace work?
Electric fireplaces use metal coils to create heat. As the coils heat, a fan or blower forces the warmed air into the room. Some electric fireplaces also use infrared technology to directly heat a room. If you want to maximize the heating capability, an infrared electric fireplace is a good choice.
A Flame imitation effect is created by projecting LED Lights onto a screen in a random pattern.
Types of Electric Fireplace
Electric Firebox / Electric Fireplace Inserts
A plug-in firebox provides the look of a traditional fireplace with unmatched flexibility. It can be installed anywhere. No venting or gas lines are required. An electric firebox can provide a practical zone heating solution for rooms up to 1,000 square feet.
An Electric insert can be used to replace a wood or gas fireplace. It fits right into existing fireplaces. It is therefore ideal for retrofit designs so if you already have a chimney or hearth in place.
Linear wall-mount electric fireplaces
These can be either hung right on your wall or recessed into the wall for a cleaner look.
The sleek design of a wall-mount fireplace completely transforms the look of any room. The media bed of a linear fireplace can be customized with glass, sand, river rock, pebbles, and driftwood. The color of the flame can be changed to match your mood or complement your décor.
Here at Maxwell Fireplace we offer a wide selection of electric fireplaces by Napoleon and Dimplex.
What is a direct vent gas fireplace?
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.
Amps
An ampere (AMP) is the unit used to measure electric current. Current is a count of the number of electrons flowing through a circuit. One amp is the amount of current produced by a force of one volt acting through the resistance of one ohm.
How does HeatShift ™ works with your Valor gas fireplace?
- Radiant heat from the firebox warm the people and objects in it’s path in the room.
- 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.
- Better heat exchange and superior air flow is created by shifting the hot air outlets higher up the wall, increasing comfort.
If you are interested in heating other areas of your home, talk to us about Valor’s Remote Blower option for multizone heating
What is the difference between radiant heat, conduction and convection?
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Why choose an electric fireplace?
A modern electric fireplace is clean, energy efficient, and takes up very little space. With the flick of a switch a room can be heated and the fireplace can create an ambient atmosphere. They can be more cost effective and low maintenance than a gas or log burning fireplace. Electric fireplaces don’t need to be vented or professionally installed.
Advantages of Electric Fireplaces
- More affordable – Natural gas and log fires need venting and gas lines. Installation of an electric fireplace can be as simple as unboxing it and plugging into an electrical outlet.
- Very efficient – an electric fireplace is very efficient with no heat being lost to the outside via a chimney or venting.
- Limited maintenance required – an occasional wipe down of the glass front and replacing a lightbulb is all the is required.
- Less space needed. A hung electric fireplace only protrudes 6″ to 8″ into a room, and a recessed fireplace only needs this much room.
- Suitable for apartments or condos where there is no existing fireplace, gas lines or ventilation. A wide selection of makes and models to fit any space.
- Zone heating – a great source of supplemental heat
- Enjoy the ambiance of real fire without the mess. Flame effect technology can now produce amazingly realistic flames.
How does an electric fireplace work?
Electric fireplaces use metal coils to create heat. As the coils heat, a fan or blower forces the warmed air into the room. Some electric fireplaces also use infrared technology to directly heat a room. If you want to maximize the heating capability, an infrared electric fireplace is a good choice.
A Flame imitation effect is created by projecting LED Lights onto a screen in a random pattern.
Types of Electric Fireplace
Electric Firebox / Electric Fireplace Inserts
A plug-in firebox provides the look of a traditional fireplace with unmatched flexibility. It can be installed anywhere. No venting or gas lines are required. An electric firebox can provide a practical zone heating solution for rooms up to 1,000 square feet.
An Electric insert can be used to replace a wood or gas fireplace. It fits right into existing fireplaces. It is therefore ideal for retrofit designs so if you already have a chimney or hearth in place.
Linear wall-mount electric fireplaces
These can be either hung right on your wall or recessed into the wall for a cleaner look.
The sleek design of a wall-mount fireplace completely transforms the look of any room. The media bed of a linear fireplace can be customized with glass, sand, river rock, pebbles, and driftwood. The color of the flame can be changed to match your mood or complement your décor.
Here at Maxwell Fireplace we offer a wide selection of electric fireplaces by Napoleon and Dimplex.
What is a direct vent gas fireplace?
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.
