Gas, Propane & Wood
Natural gas vs propane, conversions, firewood, and fuel logistics.
fuel identification
natural gas availability
- How do I find out if natural gas is available on my street?
- How much does it cost to get connected to natural gas service?
- What are my options for a gas fireplace if my neighborhood doesn't have natural gas?
- Who supplies natural gas in the Asheville area, and how do I ask them about getting service to my home?
propane basics
fuel availability
fuel behavior
- Do natural gas and propane flames look different in a fireplace?
- Why does propane sink to the floor while natural gas rises?
- What gas pressure does a fireplace need, and is it different for natural gas and propane?
- What is an orifice in a gas fireplace and why does it matter which fuel I use?
- Does a gas fireplace need a regulator, and is it different for propane?
- Are propane gas logs more prone to sooting than natural gas logs?
NG-LP conversion
- What happens if you run a natural gas fireplace on propane without converting it?
- What happens if you run a propane fireplace on natural gas without converting it?
- Can I convert my natural gas fireplace to propane?
- Can I convert a propane fireplace to natural gas?
- How much does it cost to convert a gas fireplace between natural gas and propane?
- What parts get changed when a fireplace is converted from one gas to the other?
- Can I do a gas fireplace fuel conversion myself, or does it need a pro?
- Are all gas fireplaces convertible between natural gas and propane?
- Can vented gas log sets be converted from natural gas to propane or vice versa?
- Can ventless gas logs be converted between natural gas and propane?
- Can a gas fire pit be converted from propane to natural gas?
- My street is getting natural gas service — what do I need to do with my propane fireplace?
- Do I need a conversion kit specific to my fireplace's brand and model?
propane tank sizing
propane consumption
propane logistics
- Do I need to tell my propane company before adding a gas fireplace?
- Does it matter whether I lease or own my propane tank when adding a fireplace?
- Who installs the propane tank versus the fireplace — is it the same company?
- How do I check how much propane is left in my tank?
- Is it better to refill or exchange 20 lb propane tanks for a fire pit?
- Do propane tanks expire or need recertification?
propane tank placement
propane fire pits
natural gas consumption
gas consumption
- Do vented gas logs use a lot of gas?
- Do ventless gas logs use less gas than vented ones?
- How much gas does a fire pit burn per hour?
- Does electronic ignition really use less gas than a standing pilot light?
- Does running my gas fireplace on thermostat mode burn less fuel than leaving it on high?
- Do linear and see-through gas fireplaces with long burners use more gas than a standard fireplace?
pilot gas use
running out propane
- What happens to my gas fireplace when the propane tank runs empty?
- Do I need to relight the pilot after a propane refill?
- Why won't my gas fireplace light after a propane delivery?
- Does the system need a leak or pressure test after running completely out of propane?
- At what tank percentage should I schedule a propane refill?
propane cold weather
gas line installation
- How much does it cost to run a gas line for a fireplace?
- Can I run a gas line to my fireplace myself?
- Do I need a permit to run a gas line for a fireplace?
- What license should someone have to install a fireplace gas line?
- Can a gas line be added to an existing wood-burning fireplace for gas logs?
- Does my existing gas line have enough capacity to add a fireplace?
- Can flexible gas line (CSST) be used to connect a fireplace?
- Where should the shut-off valve for a gas fireplace be located?
- How long does it take to install a gas line for a fireplace?
- Does a new fireplace gas line need to be pressure tested or inspected?
- Do I need to have 811 mark utilities before digging near my buried propane or gas line?
- Does flexible CSST gas line need to be bonded and grounded for lightning protection?
- Do I need a gas meter upgrade when adding a gas fireplace to my natural gas service?
outdoor gas supply
firewood species
- What is the best firewood to burn in a fireplace or wood stove?
- Which firewood species burn the hottest and longest?
- Is it OK to burn pine in a fireplace or wood stove?
- Why is hardwood usually preferred over softwood for firewood?
- Which firewood smells the best when burning?
- Which firewood pops and sparks the most?
- Is it safe to burn rhododendron or mountain laurel cleared from my property?
firewood seasoning
- Can ash firewood really be burned green?
- What does "seasoned" firewood mean?
- How long does it take to season firewood?
- How can I tell if firewood is dry enough to burn?
- What moisture content should firewood have?
- How can I make firewood season faster?
- What happens if I burn wet or green firewood?
- Can I burn wood from trees cut down in my own yard?
- Do EPA-certified wood stoves and inserts need drier wood than open fireplaces?
- Should firewood be split before it's stacked to season, or can whole rounds dry out?
- Is a standing dead or storm-downed tree already seasoned and ready to burn?
firewood buying
- What is kiln-dried firewood and is it worth the extra cost?
- What is a cord of firewood, and how many cords do I need for a winter?
- What should I look for when buying firewood?
- Is it OK to bring firewood in from another county or state?
- What length should firewood be cut for my fireplace or stove?
- How much does a cord of firewood cost in Western North Carolina?
- What's the difference between a face cord (or rick) and a full cord of firewood?
- Is it cheaper to buy green firewood in spring and season it myself?
firewood storage
firewood quality
what not to burn
alternative logs
wrong fuel use
wood consumption
pellet fuel
- What are wood pellets made of?
- Are hardwood or softwood pellets better for a pellet stove?
- How do I judge wood pellet quality — what does premium grade mean?
- How many bags of pellets does a pellet stove use per day or per season?
- How much does a ton of wood pellets cost and how long does it last?
- How should wood pellets be stored?
- What happens if wood pellets get wet?
- Can I burn corn or other biomass in a pellet stove?
- Can I burn wood pellets in a regular wood stove or fireplace?
electric usage
- How much electricity does an electric fireplace use?
- How much does it cost per hour to run an electric fireplace?
- Does the flame effect alone use much electricity on an electric fireplace?
- Does an electric fireplace need a dedicated circuit?
- Can an electric fireplace plug into a standard household outlet?
- Do electric fireplaces come in 240-volt versions, and do they put out more heat?
power outage
fuel shortages
gas smells
- What does a natural gas leak smell like?
- What does propane smell like?
- Why do I smell propane near the floor or in the basement?
- Can propane lose its odor (odor fade)?
- Is it normal to smell a faint gas odor when the fireplace first lights?
- Why does my ventless gas fireplace smell like kerosene or chemicals?
- Is it normal to smell propane around a fire pit while it's running?
- What should I do if I smell gas near my fireplace when it's off?