What's the mechanical difference between a natural gas and a propane fireplace?
Arden's 1980s-90s homes in Royal Pines and Skyland are full of tired open masonry fireplaces that pull heat out of rooms — and the fix is a sealed insert jetted for the fuel here, which is natural gas. The natural-gas and propane versions are the same casting; propane just gets smaller orifices and an LP regulator for its higher pressure.
Turning a heat-losing firebox into a real heater
An open masonry fireplace in an Arden split-level looks cozy but often runs a net heat loss, sending warm air up the chimney. A sealed gas insert changes that — commonly 70 percent efficient or better — and on Arden's natural-gas mains it's jetted with the larger orifices and utility-matched regulator that gas requires. The efficiency jump comes from sealing the box; the fuel calibration is a separate, parallel step.
Whether the appliance ends up on gas or propane, its rated BTUs are the same once correctly jetted — the fuel changes the plumbing, not the output.
On the mains, the choice is the appliance
Because Arden is gas-main country like nearby Biltmore Park, you're not choosing a fuel — the street already did. What you're choosing is the insert or fireplace, and we make sure it's jetted, pressure-tested, and permitted through Buncombe County for natural gas.
We're 15 minutes south of the showroom, so a free in-home assessment is quick to book. Call (828) 545-0525.
Fireplace help in Arden
We install and service fireplaces throughout Arden and the rest of Buncombe County — just 15 minutes south from our Asheville-area showroom.
Related questions
- What is an orifice, and why are natural gas and propane orifices different?
- What does a natural gas to propane conversion kit actually change?
- Why do natural gas and propane flames look different?
- What gas pressure does a fireplace need — what is manifold pressure?
- Does high elevation affect how a gas fireplace burns or how much heat it makes?