This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.
This Website Uses Cookies
By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Learn More
This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.
Plumbing and Mechanical (pmmag) logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Plumbing and Mechanical (pmmag) logo
  • Home
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Digital Edition
    • Archives
    • Product Focus
    • Truck of the Month
    • Plumber of the Month
    • Tool Tips
    • PM Profile
    • Ad Index
    • Bookstore
  • Market Sectors
    • Plumbing News
    • Mechanical Systems
    • Radiant/Hydronics
    • Solar Thermal/Geothermal
    • Green
    • Bath & Kitchen
    • Fire Protection
    • Water Quality
    • Technology
    • Codes
    • Business Management
  • Columnists
    • John Siegenthaler: Hydronics Workshop
    • Al Levi: Managing your business
    • Dan Holohan: Heating Help
    • Kenny Chapman: Blue Collar Coach
    • Adams Hudson: Marketing Strategies
    • Jim Hamilton: The Bottom Line
    • Ray Wohlfarth: The Boiler Room
    • Nicole Krawcke: Editorial Opinion
    • Julius Ballanco: Plumbing Primer
    • Matt Michel: Service Plumbing Pros
    • Dave Yates: Contractor’s Corner
  • Blog
    • The 7-Power Contractor
    • PM On The Road
  • Radiant & Hydronics
  • Multimedia
    • PM AHR Expo 2019 Videos
    • Photo Gallery
    • PM Network Videos
    • PM YouTube Channel
    • Podcasts
    • Webinars
    • Showrooms
    • eBooks
  • Products
  • More
    • History of Plumbing
    • Industry Calendar
    • Classified Ads
    • Industry Links
    • Radiant Comfort Report
    • Green Plumbing & Heating
    • PVF Outlook
    • PB Outlook
    • Sponsor Insights
    • eNewsletters
    • Subscribe to Plumbing Group eNewsletters
    • Market Research
  • Directories
    • RCR Buyers Guide
    • B.I.G. Book
    • Rep Locator
  • Contact
    • Advertise
Home » Time To Think About A Fireplace
Columnists

Time To Think About A Fireplace

June 1, 2000
Julius Ballanco P.E., CPD
Reprints
No Comments
As summer begins to heat up, it’s time to think about that fireplace. No, I haven’t lost my marbles, I’m just thinking about a marvelous business opportunity you don’t want to miss.

How many customers do you have who would love to throw another log on the fireplace when the cool, crisp days of autumn arrive? Fireplaces have long symbolized romance in America. Every feel good, romantic movie seems to have a fireplace burning somewhere. I always think about that evening in Vermont when I met my wife — the fireplace was burning.

But usually one of two problems are encountered when it comes to enjoying that romantic fireplace — either there is no fireplace in the home, or it’s a pain in the neck to clean the thing after each use and it still smells like a stale forest fire anyway. Of course, we can add to the list of reasons why people don’t enjoy a fireplace. You get the idea.

If you think in terms of new technology, however, you can solve all those problems. Why not enjoy the romance of a fireplace without the hassles of a fireplace? Just relax and enjoy the warmth. That’s the beauty of the many styles of new gas-fired, unvented, decorative fireplaces.

No Mess Alternative: All you need is a supply of natural gas and a place to locate the unit. No vent, no chimney, no wood, no mess. Best of all, the flames look like a real fire. Just the wood is fake, made of stone (or ceramics, if you want to be formal).

A friend of mine was so taken aback by the realistic appearance of the unvented gas fireplaces that he installed two in his great room, one at each end of the room. Whenever I stop by, he has both fireplaces going. Everyone thinks he burns a ton of wood because he always has both burning during the cool weather months. In fact, he hasn’t burned one stick of wood, nor has he had to buy a supply of rocks that look like wood. He considers his great room the most romantic room in his house. If you ever walked in, you’d agree.

Of course, what makes these fireplaces so easy to install is the advent of corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST). The gas piping installation takes only minutes. You only have two connections to make — one to a main gas supply, and the other to the fireplace unit. There is a valve at the fireplace unit to control the flow of gas. CSST is easy to install in any existing building.

One of the concerns you may have is that the fireplaces are unvented. Many plumbing contractors immediately think of the CO buildup and other byproducts of combustion that can pollute the house. However, the fireplace is no different than an unvented gas stove. If you want peace of mind, install a CO monitor when you install the fireplace. But, realize that these units are tested to nationally recognized standards for unvented decorative fireplaces. The fireplaces are very safe and economical.

Install Anywhere: Because there is no vent or chimney, the faux fireplaces can be installed just about anywhere. I have seen them in bedrooms, kitchens, master bathrooms, dining rooms, and entry foyers, in addition to the classic locations, such as the living room and family room. The installation cost is minimal compared to a wood-burning fireplace.

Why mention them in June? Because October is too late! You can begin to line up the work now so your customers can enjoy their new fireplace when the leaves begin to turn colors. As soon as one fireplace makes its way into a neighborhood, others will surely follow. The fireplaces sell themselves, with a little help from you. Just send them down the block to admire their neighbor’s new romantic installation.

I am often faced with the comment by plumbers that fireplaces are not plumbing. My response is, “Of course they are. Who else is supposed to install the units?” The unvented fireplaces are gas-fired appliances, no different from connecting a stove or dryer. I use the stove and dryer as examples because the appliance installer, better known as the store handyman, has taken over that work. The unvented fireplaces will disappear from the plumber’s list of work if you don’t act soon. Personally, I would rather have plumbing contractors install the units since this is where the knowledge for installing gas-fired appliances lies.

I checked with a friend of mine who supplies unvented, gas-fired decorative fireplaces regarding price. According to his figures, you can install a new unit in most homes for $2,000 and pocket a good profit. That’s not a bad price for a beautiful new, clean-burning fireplace.

To add one more factor to help you sell the concept, think of the fireplace as an emergency heating source when the power goes out in the dead of winter. Boilers need electricity to operate, as do the scorched air types. But these fireplaces only need a light. The family can snuggle in front of the fire rather than freeze under heavy blankets.

For those of you asking how many of these fireplaces I have in my own home, the answer is none. I still throw a log on my real, wood-burning fireplace. I’m one of those old-fashioned guys who likes all the nonsense that goes with burning wood. But I’m a dying breed.

pm-subscribe

Recent Articles by Julius Ballanco

Julius Ballanco: Modern bathrooms

Julius Ballanco: Drinking foundtain or bottle filler

Proposed Illinois plumbing code mandates 160° F water

Julius Ballanco: Legionella and the Plumbing Code

Julius Ballanco: Is the product listed?

Ballancojuliusvwhite_200

Julius Ballanco, P.E., CPD, F-ASPE, is president of J.B. Engineering and Code Consulting, P.C. in Munster, Ind. He can be reached at by email at jbengineer@aol.com.

Related Articles

Time To Cooperate On Residential Sprinklers

What contractors need to know about new water heater changes

Time To Give Thanks<br>Julius Ballanco

The Truth About Arsenic<br>Julius Ballanco

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Subscribe For Free!
  • Print & Digital Edition Subscriptions
  • eNewsletters
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Popular Stories

The Glitch.jpg

The Glitch and Fix: Keep the cost down

Pre-fabricated snow melting

Radiant: More than just a luxury home building option

Siggy_single coil

Single coil solution

More than 900 plumbing

PHCC contractors find value in educational sessions, networking at CONNECT 2019

The Uniform Codes

Development of the 2021 Uniform Solar, Hydronics & Geothermal Code

PM-Rectorseal-Quiz-360x184


PM-COTY 2019

Events

December 30, 2030

Webinar Sponsorship Information

For webinar sponsorship information, visit www.bnpevents.com/webinars or email webinars@bnpmedia.com.

View All Submit An Event

Products

2020 National Plumbing & HVAC Estimator

2020 National Plumbing & HVAC Estimator

See More Products

PM_Top20Products360

Plumbing and Mechanical

Plumbing & Mechanical December 2019

2019 December

Check out the December 2019 edition of Plumbing & Mechanical: 2020 B.I.G. Book, John Siegenthaler on geothermal water-to-water heat pump system design and installation, maximizing efficiency on small-diameter piping projects and much more!
View More Create Account
  • Resources
    • Reprints
    • List Rental
    • Contact Us
    • AEC Store
    • Blogs
    • Radiant & Hydronics
    • Industry Links
    • Market Research
    • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • Privacy Policy
  • Want More
    • Connect
    • Survey And Sample
  • Plumbing Group
    • PM Engineer
    • Supply House Times
  • Advertise
    • Advertise
    • Plan for 2020!

Copyright ©2019. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing