Does high altitude reduce a gas fireplace's BTU output?
Yes, and in Leicester it's usually a propane question. Many homes out on these large rural lots run on a tank, and propane burns hotter per unit than natural gas, with its own orifices — layer 2,100 feet of elevation on top and both need dialing in. We set the burner for your fuel and altitude so it stays clean.
Propane and wood on the big lots
Leicester is rural — large properties out Sandy Mush and Turkey Creek, many past the natural-gas mains and running propane, with wood heat popular too. Propane carries more energy per cubic foot than natural gas, so its orifices are smaller and pressures higher, and the elevation correction rides on top of that. The tank is coordinated with your supplier; the regulator, piping, and appliance setup are our licensed lane, tuned for 2,100 feet.
Heat that doesn't need the grid
Some remote Leicester properties have limited electrical capacity, which makes a gas appliance with millivolt ignition — one that needs no circuit board or blower to throw heat — a smart fit, and wood a natural one. Cold-air drainage runs these rural valleys five to eight degrees colder than Asheville on clear winter nights, so that heat gets used. Whatever the ignition, the burner still gets metered for your fuel and elevation.
Buncombe permit, fifteen minutes west
We pull the Buncombe County permit, meet the inspector, and pressure-test the line — connecting propane to an appliance is licensed work no handyman can legally do in North Carolina. Fifteen minutes west of our Asheville showroom. Call (828) 545-0525 or read our [backup heat guide](/guides/backup-heat-power-outage-wnc).
Fireplace help in Leicester
We install and service fireplaces throughout Leicester and the rest of Buncombe County — just 15 minutes west from our Asheville-area showroom.
Related questions
- Will my fireplace put out less heat on propane than on natural gas?
- What gas pressure does a fireplace need for natural gas versus propane?
- How many BTUs does a typical gas fireplace put out?
- Are gas log BTU ratings different for propane versus natural gas?
- How many BTUs per square foot do I need to heat a room with a fireplace?