Air Supreme Filter

Cleans room air when blower is operating

Blue Flame Rectification

Safety shut-off device. Proves the flame and the control center maintains the gas flow.

BTU Unit to measure heat. Stand for "British Thermal Unit"

Burner

Device for the final conveyance of gas or a mixture of gas and air to the combustion zone.

Burner Ports

Holes in the burner

Carbon Dioxide

A gas which is product of combustion resulting when carbon units with sufficient oxygen to produce complete combustion. Carbon dioxide is a component of many natural gases.

Carbon Monoxide

A poisonous, combustible gas formed by incomplete combustion of carbon or reduction of carbon dioxide.

Catalytic Combustor

A device used on some wood burning stoves to reduce the temperature at which smoke is ignited.

CFM

A measure unit for air flow. Stand for Cubic Feet per Minute. Indication for the strength of the fun.

Chimney

One or more passageways, vertical or nearly so, for conveying flue gases or vent gases to the outside atmosphere. See also: gas vent, vent, and venting system.

Circulation Fun

A Fun installed in a Fireplace that help to heat a home by force the Hot air to circulate around.

Clearance

The distance required by building and fire codes between stove, smoke pipe or chimney and combustible materials such as wood furniture or carpets. Clearances must be obeyed even if the combustible materials, such as wood furniture or carpets, are protected by noncombustible plaster or other masonry materials.

Creosote

A very flammable by-product of combustion that can buildup within the smoke pipe and chimney and then ignite, causing "chimney-fire".

Damper

A device used to reduce or close the opening between the firebox and flue.

Decorative Front

Fixed mesh screen front placed in front of glass panel for aesthetics and safety. Installed on all direct vent fireplaces.

Decorative Gas Appliance for Installation in a Vented Fireplace

A self-contained, free-standing fuel-gas burning appliance designed for installation only in a vented fireplace and whose primary function lies in the aesthetic effect of the flame.

Direct Spark Ignition

A type of electronic pilot ignition. It ignites the gas directly at the burner from a spark.

Direct Vent Wall Furnace

A system consisting of an appliance, combustion air and flue gas connections between the appliance and the outside atmosphere, and a vent cap supplied by the manufacturer and constructed so that all air for combustion is obtained from the outside atmosphere and all flue gases are discharged to the outside air.

Draft Hood/Draft Diverter

A device built into an appliance or made a part of the flue or vent connector from an appliance, which is designed to

• Provide for the ready escape of the product of combustion (flue gas) from the combustion chamber in the event of no draft, back draft, of stoppage beyond the draft hood;
• Prevent a back draft from entering the combustion chamber of the appliance;
• Neutralize the effects of stack action of the chimney or gas vent upon the operation of the appliance.

Electronic Ignition System

A device to light the burner or pilot that requires electrical current but not a match.

Emissions

By-products of combustion vented out of the home.

Factory-Built Chimney

A chimney composed of listed factory-built components (usually stainless steel and galvanized steel) that is easy to assemble to form the completed chimney. They conform to safety and building codes. They are air cooled or insulated. Designed to remove combustion by-products.

Firebacks

Protect fireplace masonry and mortar, shielding them from extreme heat of the flames. Cast-iron firebacks store heat from the fire and radiate it into the room after the fire has died down. Firebacks work just as well in a modern gas fireplace as they do in a traditional wood burning one.

Fireplace Insert

A type of decorative appliance consisting of an open-flame radiant-type appliance mounted in a decorative metal panel to cover the fireplace or mantel opening and having provisions for venting into the fireplace chimney.

Firestops

Devices of noncombustible material that seal any openings separating floors so that smoke or fire can not penetrate from one level to another.

Flue

Vent or chimney for a combustion device.

Freestanding Stove

A heating appliance normally on legs or a pedestal that occupies an area roughly equal to that of an easy chair.

Flue Collar

Ring on appliance designed for the attachment of the draft hood, vent connector or venting system, that determines the size of the vent.

Gas Cock Assembly

Also called valve control, a part of the combination valve that is a multi-positioned and tapered valve. When in the "on" position, it allows for the flow of gas to the burner. In the "off" position, it shuts off the gas supply to the appliance.

Gas Log

An open flame type appliance consisting of a metal frame or base supporting simulated logs.

Glass Doors

Close off the opening of the hearth so heat from the central heating system does not escape up the chimney when the fireplace is not being used.

Glass Panel

Provides safety and energy efficiency to gas fireplaces.

Grate

An iron frame used to hold burning fuel in a fireplace.

Hearth

Traditionally refers to the floor of a fireplace on which a blaze is built. Today it is also used to refer to all the devices and equipment used in connection with the fireplace and stove industry.

Heat Shield

A non-combustible protector used around appliances, smoke pipe or chimney.

Gas Vent

A factory-made vent for venting listed gas appliances with draft hoods and other gas appliances. Special Vents: vent system designed for flue gases that do not rise easily. They are composed of two types: sealed combustion vents and power exhauster vents. Type B gas vent: double-walled vent with a relatively low permissible temperature for venting gas in gas appliances only.

Hopper

A container attached to an appliance in which fuel, either coal, nuggets or wood pellets, is stored and from which the fuel is fed to the burner.

Hot Surface Igniter

A type of electronic ignition system.

Ignition Systems

Devices that ignite the pilot burner and/or the main burner assembly.

Junction Box

Wire to 110 VAC for optional remote control or blower. Wire 110 for HSI units.

Limit Switch

Devices constructed of bimetallic material that react to excessive temperature in an appliance and shut down the gas flow to it. They break or stop the flow of electricity and prevent the operation of the gas appliance.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (lp gas, sometimes called lpg)

Colorless, odorless and non-toxic gas. It is separated from wet natural gas, light crude oil and oil-refinery gases.

Main Gas Burner

Device for the final conveyance of gas or a mixture of gas and air to the combustion zone. The gas burners in gas-burning appliances are made of either aluminized steel or stainless steel. They come in many different styles.The parts of the main burner include: the burner orifice, a mixing tube, and the burner head.

Manifold Pressure

The amount of wc inches that can be supported by different types of gas: the manifold pressure for natural gas is 3.5" wc and for LP gas the manifold pressure is 11" wc.

Mantel

An ornamental facing surrounding the fireplace or simply a shelf above a fireplace.

Metal Liner

Used primarily with fireplace inserts and placed inside an existing chimney (usually masonry) to reduce the diameter of the flue for more rapid exit of smoke and combustion gases. Also used when an existing chimney is unlimited or deteriorating.

Millivolt

A unit of electromotive force equal to one thousandth of a volt.

National Fuel Gas Code

A standard for the installation of gas hearth appliances to be used in the absence of local codes.

Natural Draft (B-vent) Appliance

An appliance that takes in combustion air from the home and vents products of combustion outside of the home.

Natural Gas (NG)

Colorless, highly flammable gas consisting mainly of methane. A highly popular gas because of its flammability and high energy value. This naturally occurring mixture of hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon gases is found in porous geologic formations beneath the earth's surface, often in association with petroleum.

Orifice

The opening in a cap, spud or other device whereby the flow of gas is limited, and through which the gas is discharged to the burner.Two types of orifices include main burner orifices and pilot burner orifices. Main burner orifice: either a plug or cap type.

Oxygen Depletion Sensing Device

This device on a spill switch senses the lack of oxygen and shuts down the electrical flow, shutting off the appliance.

Pellets

Are made of 100% wood sawdust with no additives. The sawdust in pellets is a manufacturing by-product otherwise destined for landfills.

Piezo Starter

Red button that places pressure on the crystal in the standing pilot system.

Pilot

A small flame used to ignite the gas at the main burner.

Propane

A liquefied petroleum gas (see LPG) containing more heat value than natural gas. It is colorless, odorless and non-toxic.

Regulator

Usually it is a part of the combination valve. It reduces the pressure to the appropriate level for the type of gas used in the appliance.

Sealed Combustion Vent

A type of double-walled special vent supplied by the manufacturer that normally vents through a side wall in a horizontal position. The inner surface removes the flue gases and the outer container provides for passage of combustion air.

Seasoned

Refers to fuel wood that has been allowed to dry before burning. Seasoning generally takes six to twelve months. Wood burns much easier when its moisture content has been reduced. Freshly cut wood contains over 20 percent water.

Standing Pilot Ignition

A means to light the main gas burner through the use of a standing pilot light.

Therm

A unit of heating value equivalent to 100,000 British thermal units (BTUs).

Thermo Sensor

Automatically turns blower on and off.

Top Vent Fireplaces

A gas appliance that vents off the top of the unit using a type B-vent, provision for outside air.

Unvented or Vent-Free

An appliance that draws combustion air from inside the home. The appliance is designed to burn so efficiently that it eliminates the need for venting.

Vent-Free

Gas appliance that has no need for a flue.

Vented Wall Furnace

A self-contained vented appliance complete with grills or equivalent, designed for permanent attachment to the structure and furnishing heated air by gravity or fan.

Venting

To provide an exit. In gas appliances, venting is used to distribute air through a specific environment to maintain temperature there and to remove dangerous combustion by-products.

Venting System

A continuous open passageway from the flue collar or draft hood of a gas-burning appliance to the outside atmosphere for the purpose of removing flue or vent gas. It is usually composed of a vent or a chimney and vent connectors assembled to form the open passageway.

Wall Thermostat

A heat sensitive electrical switch that maintains the temperature and controls the on-off action of the heat source. NOTE: thermostats should only be used with gas appliances that have been tested and listed for use with thermostats.

By Reuben Saltzman

After years of use, gas fireplaces often develop a cloudy white haze on the glass. This white haze makes the flames difficult to see, ruins any potential illusion that you're looking at a real fireplace, and really kills the mood. Ok, maybe that's a little dramatic, but it is annoying.

The good news is that you might be able to clean this off. To clean the white haze off of your gas fireplace glass, you can start by purchasing a product that's made specifically for this, such as White Off. I picked some up at the Minnetonka Fireside Hearth & Home store for about $8. It's a small bottle, but for how often you'll use this stuff, it's a lifetime supply.

The next step is to remove the glass on your gas fireplace. This is probably the most difficult part, and every gas fireplace is different, so I can't offer much advice here. You can try looking up instructions online by searching with your model number - just pop open the bottom access panel, clear away some of the dust, and you should be able to locate the model number. You'll obviously want to turn the gas off to your fireplace first, and allow the glass to cool down before removing it, if necessary.

After you have removed the glass, place it on a flat surface, such as the floor or a table. You might want to lay down a towel underneath for good measure, but I chose to live life on the edge while cleaning mine. Next, follow the directions on the bottle; shake well, apply liberally, clean with paper towel, etc... repeat as necessary.

Once you're done, the glass should look much better and all of the white stuff should be gone. If the glass still looks dirty once you're done with this step, there's probably no cure. Have you ever noticed how the glass on your gas fireplace will get a bunch of condensation on it when the pilot is lit after having been turned off?

After years of use, gas fireplaces often develop a cloudy white haze on the glass. This white haze makes the flames difficult to see, ruins any potential illusion that you're looking at a real fireplace, and really kills the mood. Ok, maybe that's a little dramatic, but it is annoying.

[White Off] The good news is that you might be able to clean this off. To clean the white haze off of your gas fireplace glass, you can start by purchasing a product that's made specifically for this, such as White Off. I picked some up at the Minnetonka Fireside Hearth & Home store for about $8. It's a small bottle, but for how often you'll use this stuff, it's a lifetime supply.

The next step is to remove the glass on your gas fireplace. This is probably the most difficult part, and every gas fireplace is different, so I can't offer much advice here. You can try looking up instructions online by searching with your model number - just pop open the bottom access panel, clear away some of the dust, and you should be able to locate the model number. You'll obviously want to turn the gas off to your fireplace first, and allow the glass to cool down before removing it, if necessary.

After you have removed the glass, place it on a flat surface, such as the floor or a table. You might want to lay down a towel underneath for good measure, but I chose to live life on the edge while cleaning mine. Next, follow the directions on the bottle; shake well, apply liberally, clean with paper towel, etc... repeat as necessary.

Once you're done, the glass should look much better and all of the white stuff should be gone. If the glass still looks dirty once you're done with this step, there's probably no cure. Have you ever noticed how the glass on your gas fireplace will get a bunch of

This is happening because the warm, moist combustion gases are coming in contact with the relatively cool glass. As soon as the glass warms up, the condensate disappears... but over time, this repeated exposure to condensation can be enough to permanently etch the glass. Once this happens, the only repair is to have the glass replaced. Replacement glass panels for gas fireplaces range from $200 - $400, according to Ken at Glowhearth.

Credits offered for switching to cleaner burning appliances

Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) has partnered with the American Lung Association and the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) to provide up to $5,000 in instant rebates to northern Indiana residents who change out or retrofit their older, high-emissions wood burning boilers, stoves and fireplaces with more efficient appliances. The Northern Indiana Wood Stove Changeout Program was designed to help improve air quality and reduce pollution by encouraging adoption of cleaner-burning appliances.

Residents of Allen, Elkhart, Lake, LaPorte, Porter, Starke and St. Joseph counties are eligible to receive this voucher, and will work with local participating retailers to find and install the best-suited appliance or retrofit for their homes.

“Older, wood-burning appliances release more particulate air emissions and cause more air pollution,” said Kelly Carmichael, director of environmental policy for NIPSCO. “By helping connect residents with more efficient technologies, this program not only helps improve air quality in the home, but it also has a positive effect on neighbors and the larger community.”

Two types of vouchers are available through the program. The General Residential Voucher provides credits of up to $5,000 depending on the type of heating appliance installed and is administered by the American Lung Association. The Income-Qualified Voucher provides credits of up to $4,000 towards a new heating appliance and is administered with the help of the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA). Eligible households for the Income Qualified Voucher are within 150 percent of the poverty level or currently receive assistance from food stamps, medical assistance, the Women, Infants, and Children’s Program or income-qualified home energy assistance programs.

The American Lung Association has managed similar changeout programs in other areas.

“We recently completed a large project like this one in Western Massachusetts where over 150 families received vouchers for cleaner burning stoves,” said Alison Martin, executive director of the American Lung Association in Indiana. “The community response to that program was overwhelming and we hope to see the same kind of enthusiastic response in these communities.”

More information, including a list of qualifying products and participating retailers, can be found at www.NIPSCO.com/WoodStoveChangeout.

The Northern Indiana Wood Stove Changeout Program is effective through June 30, 2013 or until funds are exhausted.

This program is one of several Environmental Mitigation Projects that are a part of a consent decree between Northern Indiana Public Service Company, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

About the American Lung Association
Now in its second century, the American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. With your generous support, the American Lung Association is “Fighting for Air” through research, education and advocacy. For more information about the American Lung Association, a holder of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Guide Seal, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or visit www.lung.org.

About the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA)
The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA), chaired by Lt. Governor Becky Skillman, creates housing opportunity, generates and preserves assets, and revitalizes neighborhoods by investing financial and technical resources in the development efforts of qualified partners throughout Indiana. IHCDA believes that growing Indiana’s economy starts at home. For more information, go to www.ihcda.in.gov. For updates from Lt. Governor Skillman and the agencies she oversees, please sign up at www.lg.in.gov.

If you have a wood burning fireplace in your home and want to gain the heating benefit from the fireplace you can install a fireplace insert. Fireplace inserts are made of different metals, including cast iron and most feature a glass front to enjoy the ambiance from the fire. This sealed system acts as a combustion chamber to greatly increase the efficiency.

While people agree that a fire on the hearth makes their house a home, choosing from the many options can be confusing. The following questions are intended to help you identify the right unit for your home or outdoor living room. Remember that the starting point is you, your home, your tastes and your lifestyle.

From there, a trained hearth products retailer can help you choose the best heating fuel and the ideal product.

1. Where will your hearth product go? With today's venting options, fireplaces, stoves, inserts and other hearth appliances can be installed almost anywhere in the home. Consider a fireplace for nontraditional locations, such as the kitchen, home office or master bedroom or bath. Even creating an outdoor living room by installing fireplaces on patios and decks is a very popular trend today.
2. Do you have an existing fireplace or stove? If you have a unit that is inefficient or seldom used, converting to a new hearth product may be simple and surprisingly affordable. Gas logs or a fireplace insert may be just right for you.
3. Are you building a new home or remodeling? You can add atmosphere and focus to your home by incorporating a hearth product early in the design stage. Talk to your architect or remodeler about stove and fireplace ideas.
4. Do you want a fire for its aesthetic appearance or for its warmth? Some hearth products are simply decorative, while others are extremely efficient and beautiful to watch at the same time. How much heat output would you like? Consult HPBA's home heating buyers guide for more information.
5. How much of your home do you want to heat? Once you decide whether to use your hearth as room, living zone, or entire house heat source your local hearth dealer can help you determine the right size appliance for your home. Your retailers can also help you decide the best heating fuel factoring in your climate, floor plan and lifestyle.
6. What fuels are accessible to you? Use the HPBA home heating calculator to determine your best options and savings based on your local fuel availability: firewood, natural gas, propane, wood pellets, coal, oil or electricity.
7. Are you concerned about having heat during power outages? One of the benefits of most hearth products is that they can operate during power outages, when you need the heat the most.
8. Are there any other special considerations? Having a fire can be as simple as pushing a button on a gas stove or fireplace, or engaging as supplying your own wood, building and tending a fire. If someone in the house has allergies, that needs to be considered.
9. What finished look do you want for your home? The hearth products industry offers many choices to consumers.
10. How much do you want to spend? Price is always a consideration. Hearth product prices range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. Fuel prices also are a factor to consider and vary by region.