Browse Forums Heating, Cooling & Insulation 1 May 29, 2016 1:00 pm We are in the "thinking about building" stage and are wondering about gas log fires. Firstly, the house design we love has an open plan kitchen, dining, lounge at the rear which would be the perfect location for a gas-log fireplace. The stairwell is next to this open plan area and can't be shut off by a door as it doesn't meet up with a wall on the other side (it is kind of in this open plan area). If we used the gas-log fire would all the heat escape upstairs meaning we would always be cold downstairs? If anyone in a similar home has any experience I'd love to hear how well it works. Also, does any gas log fireplaces allow for ducting like a central heating system, meaning the one unit can heat the whole house? Or would you need both? House plan is approx. 32 squares inside with all bedrooms upstairs. Thanks. Second Time 'Round Re: Gas log fire downstairs - effectiveness? 2May 30, 2016 2:36 pm One of the reasons we went to look at a lot of display homes was to show my other half the problem with central stairs and not being able to shut off downstairs or at least a large portion of downstairs to upstairs. All the heat does indeed rise and while your upper storey might be toasty warm, downstairs will be relatively cold until you've heated the whole house. An old flatmate of mine moved in with her boyfriend who had an open plan, split level house with vaulted ceilings to the lower area - probably 20' high. They has several downlights that had blown so I bought some portable aluminium scaffold around and set it up. They had the fire going as it was late autumn from memory and while floor level was cool at around 20º C up at ceiling level I reckon it would have to be 10º C hotter. I would love to see what the energy bills are like from people who own houses like this. I'd imagine they would be pretty high. Stewie Re: Gas log fire downstairs - effectiveness? 3May 30, 2016 5:26 pm That is my fear Stewie. I may have to see if we could move a wall so we could potentially shut the area off but I don't like my chances... I guess the problem will be the same if we opt for the regular central heating anyway. My ideal would be to have one that could heat the whole house - a fan for heating the open plan area where the gas-log fire would be located plus a few ducts to upstairs (lounge + 4 bedrooms) but I have yet to find one that you can duct to other rooms. If only I didn't love this floorplan so much! Second Time 'Round Re: Gas log fire downstairs - effectiveness? 4May 30, 2016 7:48 pm Have a look at the Escea DX series gas fireplaces. They use a ducted system for even heat distribution that's perfect for open plan type living. Escea.com My Metricon Glendale in Sydney. Re: Gas log fire downstairs - effectiveness? 5May 31, 2016 1:53 pm Thanks HGMbuild - I found that one yesterday although the price may end up be a bit prohibitive ($12,000 for the unit alone) - I think it would be cheaper to have a ducted system and a smaller gas-log fire? I also don't know how it would go as far as heating a whole house. If the heat flow works how I think it does, should we concentrate on heating downstairs (because it will flow upstairs) and cooling upstairs (because it will flow downstairs)? If so, do we need to have a heating vent in all rooms upstairs? We are in Melbourne so mostly use heating throughout the year. Second Time 'Round We are tossing up between a Jarrahdale radiant wood fire (the Pioneer) and a convection wood fire (Innovator or Countryman) but cannot decide on which type of wood fire is… 0 4057 Need some advice. Living in a townhouse with one common wall, recently we have discovered that the fire separation wall is incomplete and on further investigation, support… 0 3506 Not back peddling at all. You seem to have issues with comprehension my friend. Guy fcked up, he's considering being dishonest with his bank and hiding it. It will end… 21 12566 |