HeartsCHIMNEY &DRYER DUCTNORTH BAY · SINCE 1999
Modern gas log set in a North Bay fireplace
Instant-on hearth

Gas log set installation.

Convert an underused wood fireplace into an instant-on gas hearth. Properly sized gas line, certified appliance, ceramic log set that doesn't broadcast 'gas log,' and a finished look that integrates with your existing surround.

When wood stops making sense

Real flame.
Zero wood-hauling.

There comes a point in most homeowners' lives where the wood fire stops being romantic. The chopping, the stacking, the cleanup, the smoke, the ash, the time spent getting a fire actually going. A properly installed gas log set ends all of that without giving up the real-flame look of a fire.

Gas log conversions split into two categories: vented (use the chimney flue, look more realistic, less efficient) and vent-free (use no chimney, more efficient, less realistic, code-restricted in some California jurisdictions). We assess your home and tell you which applies.

The install is the difference. Improperly sized gas lines, undersized appliances, wrong burner orientations, and missing safety pilot systems are common in DIY and amateur installs. We size the line, install to manufacturer spec, pressure-test the connection, and schedule the city inspection.

How we install gas logs
Gas line sized to appliance BTU rating
Pressure-tested connection with manometer
Certified safety pilot or ODS system on every install
Vented or vent-free per California Title 24 + local code
Burner orientation verified for proper flame pattern
Glowing ember bed installed for realistic look
Permit pulled, final inspection coordinated
Why convert to gas

What a gas log set actually delivers.

Benefit 01

Instant-on, instant-off

Wall switch, remote, or thermostat — your fire is on in three seconds and off in one. No kindling, no matches, no time spent building the flame.

Benefit 02

Real flame, no wood

Modern ceramic log sets are designed by people who care about realism. From the room, most installs are indistinguishable from a wood fire.

Benefit 03

Cleaner indoor air

No wood smoke, no creosote particulates, no ash. Especially valuable for homes with members who have asthma or other respiratory considerations.

Benefit 04

Lower seasonal maintenance

Annual inspection of the burner, pilot, and gas connection — that's the entire maintenance cycle. No chimney sweeping required (vented sets benefit from inspection).

Benefit 05

Resale appeal

Buyers consistently rate a working gas hearth above an unused masonry fireplace. The instant-on convenience reads as modern and move-in ready.

Benefit 06

PSPS power-out resilience

Most gas log sets continue to run during a power outage as long as the pilot light is lit. A standing-pilot ignition system is a real advantage in PG&E territory.

Safety considerations

The install details that prevent every failure mode.

Gas line sized to appliance

An undersized gas line starves the appliance, creates a lazy flame, and (in worst cases) leaves unburned gas in the room. We size the run to the rated BTU.

Oxygen Depletion Sensor on vent-free

All California-compliant vent-free sets include an ODS that shuts the burner off if room oxygen drops below safe levels. We verify it works on every install.

Pressure-tested connection

Every gas connection we make is pressure-tested with a manometer for at least 10 minutes. No bubble-test shortcuts.

Vented vs. vent-free decision

Local jurisdictions vary on vent-free permitting. We know which Sonoma, Marin, and Napa jurisdictions require vented sets and which allow vent-free, and design accordingly.

When gas makes sense

Signs your fireplace is a gas conversion candidate.

Any single sign on this list is worth a phone call. Two or more is worth booking an inspection this week.

01
You haven't lit a wood fire in 2+ years because of the hassle
02
You moved into a home with a fireplace and it's never been used
03
You want a hearth that runs during a power outage
04
Indoor air quality matters and you don't want wood smoke or particulates
05
You want a hearth that turns on with a wall switch or remote
06
The fireplace is the room's design centerpiece but the firebox is dormant
07
You want the option of a thermostat-controlled heat source
08
You're already converting other appliances to gas (range, water heater, etc.)
How an install works

What a gas log install actually looks like.

Assessment and spec
Step 01

Assessment and spec

We measure the firebox, assess the existing gas service, and review log-set options with you. Vented vs. vent-free decision made together. Fixed-price quote in writing.

Gas line and appliance
Step 02

Gas line and appliance

New or upsized gas line run from the meter to the firebox. Appliance set, burner aligned, pilot tested, pressure-tested. Glowing ember bed installed for realism.

Inspection and demo
Step 03

Inspection and demo

City inspection coordinated. We walk you through the on/off controls, the seasonal pilot procedure, the annual service interval. You leave the visit with a hearth that just works.

Payment plans

Gas log installs are a common bundle with hearth and chimney work.

Common pairings: gas log install + annual inspection bundle, gas log + chimney cap + waterproofing, gas log + hearth remodel. Bundled pricing usually meaningfully cheaper than the sum of the parts.

Ask about financing
Common questions

Gas Log Set Installation — frequently asked.

Vented sets use the existing chimney flue, produce a more realistic flame with some smoke, and lose some heat up the chimney. Vent-free sets need no chimney, are more efficient, but produce a less-realistic flame and are restricted in some California jurisdictions. We tell you which applies.

Ready when you are

Convert the fireplace to gas.

Site visit, fixed-price quote, code-compliant install, city inspection sign-off. Most North Bay installs scheduled within 2-3 weeks.