What's the mechanical difference between a natural gas and a propane fireplace?
Fletcher sits squarely on natural gas — the I-26 corridor and airport-area growth are all on the mains — so fireplaces here are jetted for steady utility pressure rather than a tank. A propane twin is the same appliance with smaller orifices, a different pilot, and an LP regulator. In Fletcher, the fuel at the curb is gas, and it decides the jetting.
Builder-grade boxes and commercial demand, all on the mains
From the 1990s subdivisions with builder-grade fireplaces to the steady new construction and commercial buildings along the corridor, Fletcher's fuel is natural gas — which means larger burner orifices and a regulator matched to the utility's lower, steadier pressure than propane runs. The commercial and airport-area appetite for gas fireplaces and outdoor features is real here, and every one of those units gets jetted for the same mains-supplied fuel.
Being on the mains means no tank to monitor and no cold-night worry about running dry — the supply is continuous.
What the propane version would change
If a Fletcher property were on LP instead, we'd shrink the burner and pilot orifices, reset the regulator for propane's higher manifold pressure, and sometimes adjust the air shutter for the right combustion air. Feed a natural-gas orifice propane and the flames go oversized and sooty with a carbon-monoxide risk — the reason fuel setup is licensed, permitted work.
We pull the permit with the Henderson County office and pressure-test the line. Call (828) 545-0525.
Fireplace help in Fletcher
We install and service fireplaces throughout Fletcher and the rest of Henderson County — just 20 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?