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Question

Hi..I recently bought a 9 year old house with a ventless gas fireplace. It has been running on natural gas since installation when the house was built. A routine service call this week uncovered that the tags in the fireplace are for propane gas. The technician looked at the natural gas meter and said the level of natural gas coming in the house for the fireplace and other natural gas aplliances (heat,dryer, stove) was modified to accomodate the level needed for the fireplace. However, he said, technically, it is not appropriate, and advised that I shut it down. What should I do? is it safe? Is there a potential insurance risk running it this way? Thank you...I''m trying to gather information to see if there is a complaint to the builder if they did something really inappropriate.

Submitted: 694 days and 5 hours ago.
Category: Home Improvement
Value: $15
Status: CLOSED
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Posted by Edward 694 days and 5 hours ago.

Info Request

Hello XXXXXXXXX,

Thank you for asking your question on Just Answer.


-Could you explain your situation a little more?

Why was the service man called?

How was the natural gas coming to the house modified to accommodate the level needed for the fireplace?

Is the furnace and all the other also propane?

Have you used this service person before?

What were his qualifications?

Thank you again for trusting us with your problem.

Please reply as soon as possible so that we can finish answering your question.

Posted by Edward 694 days and 5 hours ago.

Answer

I would think it would be more likely that the fireplace had the orifice changed in it to allow it to operate with natural gas. With the information I requested I can provide you additional information and advice.

Please do not hit the accept icon. Only accept when you are 100% satisfied I have answered all your questions.

Should you require further clarification, never hesitate to ask. It would be my pleasure to clarify my answer to your question. If after reviewing the above information, you have additional questions, I will be glad to answer them. My goal is your 100% satisfaction with all questions I answer.


Regards,

Edward

As always when using Just Answer your accept is required for me to be paid. Please do not accept unless you are 100% satisfied with the answer.

694 days and 5 hours ago.

Reply

Reply to Edward's Post: Edward:
Service man was called as a routine maintenance service for the fireplace as winter cold approaches. This is the first time I used them since I just recently moved into the house. He works for a local fireplace installation and service provider that is qualified.
He said the natural gas coming into the house is at a incoming level different than would be otherwise necessary, except for the fireplace needs. As I mentioned earlier, everhing else in the house (dryer, heater, stove) runs on natural gas just fine.
I'm not sure of the technical terms for the adjustment made at the outside natural gas meter, sorry. Hope this helps.

Posted by Edward 694 days and 4 hours ago.

Answer

The fireplace would have had the orifice changed in it to allow it to operate with natural gas. Propane appliances require a much greater pressure than natural gas appliances require. Without the orifice being changed the fireplace would not operate. There are kits that can be installed to convert propane appliances to run on natural gas safety.

  1. What should I do? You should call a different service company to check the fireplace.
  2. is it safe? I am not sure if it is safe or not. I would not put much faith in the tech that provided you with this information.
  3. Is there a potential insurance risk running it this way? Most likely very little, although if there was a problem associated with the fireplace the homeowners would want to verify that it had been serviced recently.
  4. I'm trying to gather information to see if there is a complaint to the builder if they did something really inappropriate. I believe that it is more likely that the service tech provided you incorrect information.

With this fireplace operating correctly I can insure you the information supplied to you by the tech is incorrect. I am positive that if you take the model number for the fireplace and check you will find that a conversion is or was available to convert this fireplace to allow it to be operated safely.

Should you require further clarification, never hesitate to ask. It would be my pleasure to clarify my answer to your question. If after reviewing the above information, you have additional questions, I will be glad to answer them. My goal is your 100% satisfaction with all questions I answer.

Please click the green ACCEPT icon if you feel I have given a complete answer, and you are satisfied with my answer. Positive feedback and bonuses are always greatly appreciated!

Regards,

Edward

As always when using Just Answer your accept is required for me to be paid. Please do not accept unless you are 100% satisfied with the answer.



If you accept my answer please leave feedback.

694 days and 4 hours ago.

Reply

Reply to Edward's Post: Do you need any more information from me to provide the additional information and advice you refer to above? And please clarify: is it appropriate and safe to modify and run a propane gas fireplace on natural gas? Could this cause insurance problems if there ever was damage caused by the fireplace?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is it appropriate and safe to modify and run a propane gas fireplace on natural gas. The required kits are installed all the time.

If a fire, or worse, is caused by the fireplace and there are no records of the fireplace being maintained, the insurance company can and will deny the claim for damages.

I would suggest that you get someone to verify that it is safe to use.

The service tech saying that the level of natural gas coming in the house for the fireplace and other natural gas appliances (heat,dryer, stove) was modified to accommodate the level needed for the fireplace, is not feasible and I am positive this information is incorrect.

 

Should you require further clarification, never hesitate to ask. It would be my pleasure to clarify my answer to your question. If after reviewing the above information, you have additional questions, I will be glad to answer them. My goal is your 100% satisfaction with all questions I answer.

Please click the green ACCEPT icon if you feel I have given a complete answer, and you are satisfied with my answer. Positive feedback and bonuses are always greatly appreciated!

Regards,

Edward

As always when using Just Answer your accept is required for me to be paid.

Please do not accept unless you are 100% satisfied with the answer. If you accept my answer please leave feedback.

If you want to verify this information is correct before accepting please do so.

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Expert: Edward
Pos. Feedback: 99.8 %
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Answered: 12/30/2007

Handyman

Handyman, Master Gardener, Plumber, Electrician, and Electronic Technician

694 days and 4 hours ago.

Reply

Reply to Edward's Post: Edward, interesting answers...just a couple more facts/questions to this scenario. I actually called the manufacturer who said they would never recommend modifying one type of fireplace for another (i.e. natural gas vs. propane); it could be they wanted to sell me a new one...and also, if there was a conversion kit installed, wouldn't the tags in the fireplace have to designate this? As afr as the tech's qulaifications, I'll have to doublecheck that out!

Posted by Edward 694 days and 4 hours ago.

Answer

You put me at a disadvantage not providing all the information. This is like asking why your car is not running correctly and leaving out the information that the motor is not in the car. I depend on the information you provide to answer the questions and supply information to you.

It is much easier to convert a propane appliance to natural gas since there is much less modification needed. If the manufacture sells a conversion kit then it will be safe. However if the manufacturer does not have a conversion kit for the do not use the fireplace even though it has been working correctly.

Wouldn't the tags in the fireplace have to designate this? Most likely yes, but who knows what has happened in 9 years. I would only be guessing if I told you the tags were or were not there.

Click here for more information.

Should you require further clarification, never hesitate to ask. It would be my pleasure to clarify my answer to your question. If after reviewing the above information, you have additional questions, I will be glad to answer them. My goal is your 100% satisfaction with all questions I answer.

Please click the green ACCEPT icon if you feel I have given a complete answer, and you are satisfied with my answer. Positive feedback and bonuses are always greatly appreciated!

Regards,

Edward

As always when using Just Answer your accept is required for me to be paid. Please do not accept unless you are 100% satisfied with the answer.



If you accept my answer please leave feedback.

 

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