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Jotul Stoves, Fireplace & Inserts
Valor Stoves, Fireplaces & Inserts
Elmira Antique and Retro Styled Kitchen Appliances
Heartland Classic Collection Kitchen Appliances
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The Energuide P.4 Rating & How it affects you
For years gas and propane fireplaces have been labelled with efficiency ratings to assist consumers in selecting an efficient model. Unfortunately, these ratings were tested and delevoped for wall heaters and furnaces and the current Steady State Efficiency and Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency do not reflect the actual performance of modern fireplaces.
In 2003 the P.4 Efficiency rating was set in to place and all gas fireplaces, stoves and inserts sold in Canada are now required to test by these guidelines and submit their results to a national directory. One of the characteristics of the P.4 standard is that it allows you to compare numbers side by side knowing that each manufacturer's appliances are tested the exact same way to ensure the numbers reflect a fair comparison between the units - something that unfortunately has not been true up until this point.
The P.4 standard is slowly but surely becoming a fixture on retailer's literature and the national database is growing as more models are tested and added to the system. If a brochure that you have picked up from a retailer does not have these numbers available please be sure to ask your advisor for the test results as they become available.
The database of currently registereed fireplaces can be accessed here: http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/equipment/english/fireplace-search.cfm?text=N&printview=N
Tips for selecting a gas fireplace.
Gas fireplaces, stoves and inserts have made many leaps and bounds in style and efficiency over the years. They are a viable option for many people - for many reasons. Whatever your reason may be there are as many sizes of gas fireplaces on the market as there are styles and selecting the right fireplace for your home is best accomplished with the help of some research and a qualified advisor.
With the myriad of options available on the market there are a few things to consider when you are thinking about a gas fireplace. First, you should think about the space it will be going in. Is the primary demand in that space for heat or simply to enjoy a flame?. If it is for heat knowing approximately how much space you need to heat and the age of the house can assist the advisor in selecting a fireplace that can suit those needs. If heat isnt your primary concern there are many decorative options available that boast a large beautiful flame without the heat of a high efficiency unit.
Most fireplace manufacturers offer similar options with their own unique flair. Decorative louvres, screen doors, cast iron facades and choices of fireplace backings and logs, river rock or glass burners are just a few of the options available. Knowing what type of finishing you had in mind for the fireplace can help to decide which decorative options will best suit the fireplace and give you a well designed finished product that can give you years of low maintenance, no fuss beauty.
If you are looking for design ideas please feel free to browse our gallery or come into the shop and speak to one of our advisors!